tinnitus Increase In Comp Claim

[jet187]

Hi all,

a friend of mine is a Vietnam vet,he was SC 0% non-compensation years ago for hearing & tinnitus.

Hearing is getting bad & hearing aids might be in order soon.

How does he file for increase of comp from 0%?

Does he file another claim form?

Any help is appreciated,

Jetpack

[Testvet]

he can write it on a napkin stating that he wants a ratings increase for the ringing in his ears and the fact thatit is harder to hear now than it was when he got out if he has tinnitus he should have got 10% file it at his VARO before the end of the month the sooner he files the effective date gets set just walk into the service area or write ot out on a piece of paper and send it certified mail to the VARO just do it before the end of the month to get the March date.

[cowgirl]

Hi Jet, good basic question. A veteran can file a letter 'request for increase' for a specific service connected decision. I do recommend he request his VA C-file (compensation file) first for history on that particular claim. Mention this because its possible that other conditions were presented for rating years ago. When I did an increase not too long ago, I forgot a few things were Service Connected at 0% already and my exam included those - my whoops.

Does he have a current audiogram? Is he on medicines that may affect his hearing - sinus, etc? Look at VBA 38 CFR Book C Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Impairment of Auditory Acuity, it should help explain how the VA evaluates.

Best to ya,

Cg

a friend of mine is a Vietnam vet,he was SC 0% non-compensation years ago for hearing & tinnitus.

Hearing is getting bad & hearing aids might be in order soon.

How does he file for increase of comp from 0%?

Does he file another claim form?

Any help is appreciated,

Jetpack

Edited March 25, 2010 by cowgirl

[cowgirl]

Testvet is right on as well - and sets a better date. My process takes more preperation - even though when asking for the VA to increase (without specifying the condition) I think they're supposed to look at all the sc, and that can be good or not, depending on whats already SC.

[gp747]

he can write it on a napkin stating that he wants a ratings increase for the ringing in his ears and the fact thatit is harder to hear now than it was when he got out if he has tinnitus he should have got 10% file it at his VARO before the end of the month the sooner he files the effective date gets set just walk into the service area or write ot out on a piece of paper and send it certified mail to the VARO just do it before the end of the month to get the March date.

10-4 that is all i did ,just typed that i wanted an increase from 30to 50% as my situation had gotten worse.

[jet187]

Testvet,Cowgirl & Skunk,

Thank you for the replies & insight.Much appreciated.

I will inform my friend with the information provided.

Thanks again guys,

Jetpack

[Philip Rogers]

In addition, to a claim for increase, he should file a CUE claim, stating he should have been awarded 10%, originally, for his tinnitis. As to the hearing aid issue he should contact his PCP to get them. Hearing loss is hard to get as their requirements for compensation are fairly profound. He should be able to get 10%, retro, to the date of his original claim, under the CUE. Tell him he'll own me a dinner, or at least a Starbucks, when he gets that nice($$$$$$$$$$$$) retro check for 40 yrs, plus or minus.

pr

Testvet,Cowgirl & Skunk,

Thank you for the replies & insight.Much appreciated.

I will inform my friend with the information provided.

Thanks again guys,

Jetpack