BamaAF

This was an informative thread, even if aged. I was rated 0% for hearing loss upon retirement in 1994 - and have just requested increase and secondary tinnitus. I went to my C&P and was asked questions about hearing and tinnitus, I told her it was chirping/crickets, and is constant, worse when quiet like going to sleep, and it actually makes it hard to sleep sometimes. I've found leaving a fan blowing away from me at night helps some, but then I can't hear if something happens outside or at door, so then I'm paranoid - no win situation. The tester (LHI) found wax in my canal and although she tried, could not remove it. So I had to go see an ENT to have that removed and now back in the que for another C&P for hearing. It got a lot worse while reading this thread as it made me think about it - concentrating on it makes it much worse. I started having high pitch noises that I would ask if others heard, but that would stop and all would be OK. Then one night while TDY about 10 years ago or so(as civil service), I was laying in bed in a hotel room and wondering why the crickets/locusts were so loud -- then I realized it was me. Been constant ever since. I don't know if secondary to my zero percent hearing is the way to go - but all I could think of. I did have another hearing test at VA about 3 years ago and they told me my hearing was much worse than when I retired in 94 (wife agrees) and they gave me hearing aids.

Anyone hearing that VA might be reducing Temp 100% disability for TKR from 13 to 4 months? If so, is there a projected start date?

I am going to undergo two TKR's - 13 months apart I retired from Air Force in 1994 and have received 10% for each knee since retiremenet, due to numerous miniscus/cartilage injuries while active - plus another 10% = 30% total June of this year I submitted an "Intent to file" with plans to put in for increase on knees, hearing (have zero right now, but it's much worse, and VA already gave me aids/tinnitus. other claims that I had active records for and current diagnosis pointing to active duty time Aug of this year I submitted claim via ebenefits for increase to knees, hearing/tinnitus, other issues Early Oct of this year I had a C & P for knees and hearing - my knees are in pretty bad shape and current diagnosis submitted w/claim says they need replacing -- the Nurse Practioner seemed as if she agreed they were in bad shape, and the measurement thing she did really points to an increase - have not seen the report So now I have claim being processed that is backdated (via an intent to tile) to June. Went to another doctor Thursday for a 2nd opinion on if I really need TKR - he was very good, went over my xrays and said that it's my call on timing, but my knees were in very bad shape, and that most of his replacements were before the knees got in shape mine were. In fact, in 1994 I had orthoscopic surgery on one knee trying to relieve pain and the surgeon had to remove the entire miniscus because over the years while in the AF it had been torn multiple times and got in the knee cap and was "chewed" up. When they cut out miniscu and tried to vacuum it out, all the cartilage also came out - so they shaved my knee joint down, and drilled holes in it. The current x-ray does not show any of this surgery, the bone on bone as essentially worn past the surgery. Both knees are completely bone on bone. The surgeon has agreed to give me a letter stating that the injuries are at least as likely as not to be the result of injuries sustained while active duty and the reason they are currently service connected - in fact he is going to put in there he is sure it the reason. He is also going to put in the letter that he recommends 1 month convalesence for surgery and 12 months rehab on knee post surgery. I'm not certain the best way to proceed from here --- If I just put in a claim for the TKR, would that claim be rolled into on-going claim? If that happened, any increase I realized from initial intent to file (June) til TKR would be overcome by the 100% on TKR (I think?) -- or would it be seperate and they would finish current claim up until surgery and then go with 100% from that point? Could I put in another Intent to file for the TKR and then wait until first claim finishes? Not sure how to proceed on this - advice appreciated. Thanks in advance Roy Edit - how long after surgery can one put in claim for the Temp 100% - maybe that's the answer? wait until original claim finishes then add the TKR claim?

I have "one" claim in through ebenefits that contain multiple requests for SC - two of those are increase requests (one for knees and one for hearing and a secondary to hearing for tinnitus). So far they have sent me to a C & P for knees and hearing/tinnitus, which are both increase requests.... Is it possible an award/denial will be made on these two requests prior to the others? Or, is it an all or none kind of thing, where I will have to wait on all requests?

Thanks - my upgrade request that is currently in the system includes recent private medical records stating that knees need to be replaced and the Nurse Practioner that did my C & P used the words that it was "definitely" because of what I have been getting the 10% for since 94 (this was verbal, hopefuly she follows through and puts it in writing). After speaking with VA on phone today, my plan is to do as you say and meet with Surgeon next week to go over procedure, get a date, and have him write something saying the the TKR is needed because it is at least as likely as not due to original injuries that are deemed SC. I will go ahead and put that claim into system about a week prior to surgery and after surgery upload the additional docs showing surgery, etc. with a 1 month convalesence needed and 12 month rehab. Hopefully it all works out and in a little more than a year, will repeat all for the 2nd TKR. Another issue I ran into while in ebenefits was noting that I did not get dependent rate for my 3 daughters who went to college following high school. They attended on the Alabama GI Dependent Scholarship which is awarded to those that have a 30% or more SC disability. I was supposed to update them after they turned 18. I mistakenly thought since they were being paid by a VA scholarship that was taken care of (stupid on me). I have updated them and hopefully once that makes it through it will take effect and possibly "some" backpay - VA told me that once the award is made, to file a disagreement and try to recoup any money that is not in inital award (from last three years). From reading, sounds like that is basically not going to happen, but will try anyway.

I retired from the USAF in 1994 and was awarded 30% total - 10% for each knee due to multiple injuries in both knees (miniscus) and miniscus removal in left knee. Since 1994 my knees have gotten much worse and civilian specialist say (in writing) that the only thing left is TKR in both knees when I can't stand it any longer (I am 59). I submitted an upgrade request (for increased compensation, not TKR) through ebenefits and went through C & P where the contracted Nurse Practioner measured my bend/flex and also measured scars from miniscus removal as well as general exam of knees. She seemed pretty positive, but we all know how that goes. The C & P was last week. Just in last few days, my knees are really bothering me and I have decided to go ahead an have the TKR - one at a time, 13 or months in between. If I understand correctly from reading this community as well as other sites, I would get 100% for up to 13 months per knee - and after that get 30-60% per knee depending on how the surgery went. For those that have gone before me - how do I claim this - before surgery or afterwards - and how do I ensure the 13 months at 100%? Also, am I reading too much into being able to get this compensation since they have been giving me disability for my knees since I retired in 94? I'm concerned that I already have a claim going through to increase compensation on my knees, but now I just want to move forward with TKR. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks