Al329

True, unfortunately having VBMS access does not mean they will assist you. I would drop that VSO and find one who actually wants to help vets.

I have seen people post that calling their Rep in Congress to try and get some traction. Due to HIPAA and PII, I think they can only mail it on CD. I don't think the VA has a very good delivery system for encrypted emails. I find its a shame that we cant log into the VA portal and download our own C-File. The Blue button allows us to download a lot off PII, why not the whole C file? Someone with access can pull up your file, like a VSO. Will they print off a copy for you? Who knows. Since you are in Germany, you might find a VSO at the nearest base VFW. There are also VA reps located in Vilseck and K-Town. Dont know how far away that is for you. Or if they can assist? https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/oms_Coordinators.asp I filed my FOIA to get my C-File in Nov and I can't see why these things take so long! I want my file before I appeal ... only way now to see what the C&P says. I kinda think that's why the VA takes so long in getting these to us.. sneaky! Good luck and keep us updated.

Called yesterday for a decision letter and code sheet. Asked for them to email it to me. Email hasn't come in yet, so might call again today. I wouldn't think it takes a day for an email to show... weird.

Thanks! Question, I feel I was underrated at 10%. If I file a disagreement, could that open the claim back up to reduction or complete denial?

Hi, Just drop in to say thank you to this board. I just won my claim, now sitting at 10%. I know not a lot. Waited 20 years after I got out to file for anything. I had no idea where to start. Then I found this site. Thanks!

Creek, Do you have a contract C&P or at the VA? I think I was lucky and had a C&P with a VA audiologist. C&P was her giving me a hearing test and word recognition test. And talking with me about it all. I did have a hearing exam in my service treatment records that showed hearing loss in the higher freqs. Not enough of course for a hearing claim lol. But I think that, plus the current exam, helped the doc write up the DBQ to say "more likely than not" caused my service. Good luck

creek, Yes got approved. Had a great doc at the VA and C&P. Good luck!

Great answers. I too filed for tinnitus after more than 20 years out. Also my series changed, is now 25 and listed as moderate. My 2 cents. As GBArmy mentioned, make sure you file a statement in support of claim. List any in service incident you think caused the tinnitus. When you first noticed the tinnitus, in service. This is important part...most tinnitus denials come when the VA says not caused by an in service event. You have to write the statement up to head off that! " ... during an exercise, I had to man the 3kw generator for a 12 hour shift. Hearing pro was not used and when I got back to my room I noticed the ringing in my ears. I had never hear or or noticed anything like this prior. Over the years its only gotten worse blah blah" Any buddy letters to detail on the working conditions and or noise exposure. The statement from your mom is good too. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Cheers

Ok ... thanks for the explanation!

Brokensoldier, I get what you are saying. And I understand and appreciate all your points...really its a great help! One question on what you are saying. You mentioned looking up doctors and see if they are on the web selling DBQs and whatnot. Also that some docs screw up DBQs. Ok get all that. But if you want a doc to not screw up a DBQ ... and you want to file a fully developed claim... Don't we, as the Vet, have to find a doc online that knows how to fill out the DBQ? Its not doctor shopping... its shopping for someone who can write up the DBQ correctly. They, as a doctor, are still signing their name putting their license on the line. Is that not weighted the same as a the DBQ written by the VA or the contract doc? Thanks!

What is the value or length of time a doc has been treating the patient ? I mean the doc who I have a C&P with doesn't treat me at all! Zero length of time in treatment. But gonna bet they are going to try and use that as a metric to disregard your DBQ....and go with the C&P write up.

Don't know if this has been posted. DBQs back.... https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/dbq_publicdbqs.asp

Agree a Vet would be good. First and foremost, we need a decent and good person in the slot. Look at last Vet to head it up .... https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/opinion/sunday/trump-va-racism.html https://www.propublica.org/article/va-secretary-focused-on-smearing-woman-who-said-she-was-sexually-assaulted-in-a-va-hospital-probe-finds https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2020/05/28/amid-criticism-secretary-wilkie-wont-commit-to-removing-nazi-headstones-from-va-cemeteries/ https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/04/politics/kfile-wilkie-confirmation-form/index.html

Thank you for all the replies. Yeah some entries are doctor bad handwriting.. then add in a bad scan job... really difficult to read. And its been so long, I really don't remember why I went in to see the doctor! Thanks everyone.. stay safe!

Hi, This might be a weird question, but does anyone know of a service that can take my old STR and translate all the gibberish handwriting into plain text? Army doctors handwriting is totally illegible! Thanks, Al

Hi, Secondary to tinnitus has been done recently ... https://community.hadit.com/topic/74958-mental-health-secondary-to-tinnitus/? https://community.hadit.com/topic/75767-supplemental-claim-granted/#comment-472060 Lack of sleep can cause all sorts of secondary issues. You have to get a diagnosis and then a write up on connecting that to tinnitus. Good luck!

Hi, Anyone use a private company for a home sleep study? If so who did you use? Reason, I am currently in a remote location and would be a reach to travel to any VA sleep study. Thanks! Al

My experience - Lowes can burn in hell. My 80 year old mother "got" shutters from Lowes, But see Lowes doesnt do the work, they sub it all out. And guess what happens when you have a problem.... Lowes says oh well. Too late you paid them ... you cant stop the credit card payment..too late. And then what? Two years after mom paid for the shutters .. still not finished. Lowes wont take my calls. So yeah lowes can burn in hell. I will never shop there and I will tell everyone I meet to stay away.

Fat - If you were exposed to and in close proximity to high frequency noise... like electrical comms gear... for extended periods of time. It could have an effect on your high frequency hearing. Unfortunately high freq hearing loss isn't recognized by the VA. But I would say that, even though tinnitus isn't a hearing disease, a rater is more likely to approve your tinnitus claim if accompanied by a hearing test that shows that high freq loss. That said, its also helps to have a in service event to link the tinnitus with your service. Say after a long exercise or event that you first noticed the tinnitus.. if you have that. A personal statement explaining your service and exposure to noise. A buddy letter opining the same will help. You can search others stories here...ones you think without a doubt would be granted tinnitus...and it gets denied. Bottom line, you have to lead the VA into approving the claim, give no reason to deny it. Good luck! You mentioned you were comms ... did you use generator backup? Those get pretty loud. If you used and ran a genny ... make sure that all ends up in your personal statement.

American Military hospital in Germany will not support you. Germany does not allow meds to be mailed...even if you had an APO box.. thats a no. For a C&P.. I have seen people get sent to docs up near Landsthul. But also to some local docs too .. so guess it all depends on where you would plan to re locate to. Yes there is crime here in Germany .. I would say its not as bad or as violent. But I dont live in a big city .. so.... Do you plan on working on base here? a 20 hour a week job on base would give you access to more services for sure. Also VFW over here if you live near a post .. they can provide VA assistance.

FYI for those Vets living in Germany... https://www.army.mil/article/231799/eligible_veterans_authorized_post_access_shopping_privileges_in_germany

From my reading, you haven't provided any hearing test showing you have what the VA considers as hearing loss. I assume, your new evidence was the Miracle Ear report? Did that report show hearing loss? At the levels and freqs the VA mentions? Maybe you need a Audiologist to examine you. And write up an opinion to support your claim.

Decision letter would have been mailed to you. VA.gov will have your C&P results, if given at VA medical facility.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-bc-us--trump-20190821-story.html