tinnitus Arng11 - Looking For Help

[ArNG11]

I am new to this VA chess game and unfortunately I have been learning as I go. Bad move on my part, however, I am trying to get some advice,maybe some direction as where I need to go from here, I filed a claim and did a poor job in telling the VA what exactly was wrong. I used a local veterans organization and failed to do my homework. I filed a claim for tinnitus and a back injury, just as stated. As I know now I should have been more specific as to injuries incurred and what I was claiming. I have other illness that are related to my tour in Iraqui Freedom but never mentioned them to VA as I was very unhappy with a treatement that I received from a VA clinic at one appointment. My question is whether to revise my claim and submitt a new statement, with all my supporting documents and go back to the initial process of a claim or wait until the VA decides my contentions. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[carlie]

arng,

Welcome.

I split your post off from the OP's topic.

How about posting what issues have been claimed and denied so far

and the Reason and Bases Section from the decision that denied.

Leave out personal info like name, address, claim #, etc. . .

[ArNG11]

The issues I have claimed are just the two. Tinnitus and Back Injury. The claim hasn't been denied yet. I filed back in Aug of 2012 so fairly new in the claims process. Last time I was able to check VONAPP it was in the preparation for notification phase of the process. Im being optimistic, however, from reading the forums, this process can go on for a long period of time if you don't precisely tell the VA what your specific illness and injuries are.

[Stretch]

you need:

1. Injury in service documented in your service records.

2. A current diagnosis of the injury

3. A Nexus, or connection between the injury and the current diagnosis.

It seems simple, but it is not. You may need and Independent Medical Evaluation/Opinion. It took me almost 40 years to get my back service connected because I did not know this and did not know that I must document it.

Your notification will be there soon, I think, and you will know which way to go from there. You have to be pro-active in your claims.

[Carl the Engineer]

Arng11,

I commented in your other post regards records. And basically it boils down to records. The VA needs hard evidence from paper records, etc.

Then you need to get you issue Service Connected. Don't worry about the percentage up front, just get it connected.

Then you start the chess game............

Hamslice

Would'nt hurt to bone up on:

Title 38: Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief

PART 4—SCHEDULE FOR RATING DISABILITIES

[ArNG11]

you need:

1. Injury in service documented in your service records.

2. A current diagnosis of the injury

3. A Nexus, or connection between the injury and the current diagnosis.

It seems simple, but it is not. You may need and Independent Medical Evaluation/Opinion. It took me almost 40 years to get my back service connected because I did not know this and did not know that I must document it.

Your notification will be there soon, I think, and you will know which way to go from there. You have to be pro-active in your claims.

I am starting to realize that now from the posts that I have been reading up on. I have the two and the correlation is there on the third but not from an IMO, only from the medical treatments i have had and the diagnostic imaging tests and results. Yes you are absolutely right on the pro-active part. I believe I have been lacking in that regard, however, I mean to change that. Thanks for the information my fellow vets.

[john999]

Medical evidence is what wins VA claims. You connect the medical evidence with your service and get a DX. You file your claims and be ready to start waiting and then appealing. You will probably be low balled on your first claim. So it is normal to be outraged when they say your back injury is only 10% and you have a hard time walking.

John