Tinnitus Help

[mooose]

Been reading the forums for over a year now.. Great information out there!

Been back from deployment for just over a year now. I am currently rated at 10% for a back injury.

Ringing in my ears started while overseas and I filed as soon as I got back. Because of the optempo overseas I never got around to seeing a medic.

I was denied my claim for tinnitus. The reason was because they said I had no hearing loss and that if I didn't have hearing loss I could not have tinnitus. After I was denied my primary care VA doc sent me to an audiologist who found no evidence of hearing loss or tinnitus, next my doc set me up with a neurologist and after lots of testing the neuro doc came up with nothing. In my last appointment with the neuro doc, he said he would set me up with an ENT. A few weeks have passed and today I called the VA to check on the ENT appointment and they told me they would not see me because the ENT doc reviewed my chart and said it would not be a justified exam? So...I want to file a NOD and have been trying to figure out why I have the ringing through the VA, I am coming upon my year mark, can anyone tell me what to do to get some evidence to file with the NOD?

[mooose]

Okay..after thinking about all this for some time. I feel like the reasons I am having this ringing are BP, Stress, and MEDs. I have researched all of them and they can cause/be associated with tinnitus. I did call a independent audiologist, waiting to hear back from her. My plan is to ask her to right me a IMO stating the above reasons are causing my ringing. I happen to know this audiologist did her thesis on alternate causes of tinnitus, hope she will help me out.

Currently collecting my paperwork for the BP claim, that started when I was deployed too. I collected all my readings the majority were ever 110/100 and I have two VA records where they took it and it was over 110/100. I have been on a low dose BP med two weeks. I have all documented. Trying to get the ringing paperwork (IMO) so I can submit all at once.

Do you all think that they deny the tinnitus stress connection because I do not have a claim for the stress? Any advise is appreciated.

[Notorious Kelly]

I believe the standard claim for tinnitus is 10%.

Not sure how the VA math would affect your percentage.

Others can correct me, if needed.

[evandc]

JMHO...you are already s/c for something (right?) so the VA will treat you for hearing loss or whatever. So why have a nervous beakdown fighting the VA for 10%. I would guess your time would be much better spent going after the more serious (higher percentage) claim for some other problem that you are not wanting to file..You were a pilot so what happened? Doubt if you can shock or upset many of us & BTW I'm on your side. I see this all the time vets spending money & going crazy over 10% claim..I don't understand

[COOL BREEZE]

I am already service connected for hearing loss which I receive a flat 0%. And since I recently was diagnosed with tinnitus years later after the initial rating that would give me the minimum of 10 % as the examiner had noted I had it with the hearing loss while I was active duty. 10 % is not much, but a whole bunch of those 10% will eventually get you a higher rating. For me, I am aiming for all the highest ratings I can get first, then when I max out on those, I'll take the left over scraps if that will help me to eventually get the 100 %. The higher rating claims will give me the greatest and fasted jump in $$$$ then the 10% claims.

[evandc]

Cool Breeze,

We are on the same page with this go after the big numbers & then worry about the other small percentage. For 22+ years I have attended a Vet Group weekly & I see vets fighting for change & they could have real bucks. I have friend now trying to get PN for Agent Orange & he is not Diabetic & his chances are slightly above 0 to get this approved. In the mean time he is ate up with PTSD & will not file & is not connected for anything. SO now he is appealing his PN to BVA & God knows I hope he wins because I would use his case & file for my PN while I can still walk.

Thanks for your reply & once again I'm pro vet, I just want them to fight for something that is worth having. Chose your battle is what I was told & maybe that's it in a nutshell.

Don

[Pete53]

Moose if you took anti depressant in service and you still take them you should ask for service connection and rating for whatever you are taking the medication for.

Good Luck

Tinnitus is a weird duck I have a buzzing in my ears but habe hearing loss with it In my opinion it is mch worse than my 30% for flat feet but go figure how the VA rates things.