chrisbal

Thanks

Also, after I submit my updated hearing exam let's say the results show I should be rated at 20 percent rather than 10. Will the VA increase my disability to 20 percent or keep it at 10 percent since I am only submitting evidence on why they should not reduce it to 0 percent?

I will send a request for a hearing to stop the reduction process. After I receive an updated exam at the end of October can I just send that in for review and skip the whole hearing route or once a request is submitted I must attend the hearing?

Thanks everyone for the help. I filed for an increase because my hearing has worsened but according to the VA it has improved. I called and begged the VA audiologist to see me and they can fit me in on October 26. I read over the decision again and it says I have 60 days to submit medical evidence showing why they should not make the change to reduce from 10 percent to 0 percent. It also says if I desire a hearing to present evidence one will be granted if requested. I'm not sure what to do because I just started a new job and if I request a hearing my new employer may not be too happy about me missing work again. I know my hearing has not improved at all. The decibels loss has increased but they are telling my the speech discrimination has improved greatly. I just don't understand it because I guessed on most of the words that I couldn't understand. It's unbelievable. The Army speech test I scored like 40 percent in both ears and the VA uses a different test which says I'm like 90 percent, I just don't understand because I couldn't understand half the words and I guessed. Also, I was medically discharged after three years in the Army because of my hearing loss and tinnitus. I was involved in numerous firefights during a year deployment to Afghanistan. At one point I couldn't hear anything for a couple weeks but it came back a little. Since this injury occurred overseas durimg a fight with the enemy and I was medically discharged for it am I subject to any type of special pay? Just wondering. Thanks for all the help my fellow Vets, you guys and gals are truly great people.

Thanks

Thanks for all the help. Do I file for the hearing on any specific form or can I do it through VONNAP?

Thanks, I'm still confused as to what it means when they say it is proposed to be decreased to 0 percent. How long does this usually take and is it 100 percent going to happen. Also, how long does it take to receive a hearing? I have also read things about NOD and appeals. Is a hearing the same as an appeal? What does a NOD do? Sorry for all the questions but I have decided to file on my own rather than use a vso.

I just received my decision today and for the most part was good. I went from 50% to 70% with a twist. I was rated 20 percent for TMJ and 10 percent for a scar related to the TMJ. I also filed for an increase for my hearing loss which was currently 10% and the VA came back with "Evaluation of bilateral hearing loss, which is currently 10 percent disabling, is proposed to be decreased to 0 percent. <br style="min-width: 0px; "><br style="min-width: 0px; ">Then later it says "Continued entitlement to bilateral hearing loss currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling is proposed to be reduced to 0 percent. If the evaluation is reduced, the combined evaluation will reduce from 70 percent to 60 percent".<br style="min-width: 0px; "><br style="min-width: 0px; ">I'm confused what the word proposed means in this situation. Does my claim go to another board to see if it is going to be reduced? This claim is almost 2 years old and I know my hearing has not gotten any better. My hearing is horrible and my family knows this and the hearing aids don't help that much. <br style="min-width: 0px; "><br style="min-width: 0px; ">I completely disagree with the hearing loss portion of their decision, what do I need to file or do? Also, from what it sounds like is that I will continue to receive 70 percent until they make a decision, is this correct?

I registered but it is not showing my the status of my claims. It does not even say I have any claims pending. Would you happen to know why?

Got it thanks!

I wrote a short letter explaining all the problems I have had because of this and how it has affected my life. My last paragraph was this. Let me know what you think. This has affected my family and my life so greatly where I even had to switch positions at my job because of all the problems that have occurred from this injury. I am requesting for an increase for my Temporomandibular Joint disorder and all the problems associated with it. All I ask is to be treated fairly and equally for I am truly a disabled veteran.

Thanks for all the help Pete. My surgeon has recommended I go see a pain management specialist for my pain. I have been on pain medicine for a long time because of this. He also just put me on a new type of medicine for my headaches I have been having. I will have to check with the sleep test. Any other suggestions?

Pete thanks for the help. Last question, I have been having seconday issues related to this. Do I list them on the same form. Like chronic pain, sleep, etc.

Great, thanks for the help. I am in the middle of filing this through VONAPP now. Do I need to say anything specific or just say I am requesting for an increase for my Temporomandibular joint disorder

Sorry but I am a little confused. Thats a statement in support of claim. I am serviced connected for TMJ and recently had three surgeries for the problem. I filed for temp 100% and should be receiving the decision anytime now. So the statement in support of claim is what I need to file for an increase?