Is This For Real

[shakeyswife]

Received letter today "summary of benefits".

This letter is a summary of benefits you currently receive from the ........................

VA Benefits Information:

Service connected disability: Yes

Your combined service-connected evaluation is: 20 Percent

The effective date of the last change to your current award was: 01-JAN-2014

Your current monthly award amount is: $258.83

Are you considered to be totally and permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities: Yes

Letter was dated Feb 26, 2014. Signed by the Veterans Service Center Manager

Is this a HUGE MISTAKE ???????? To be totally and permanent with only 20%. (that 20% is for hearing and tinnitus)

Or could it possibly be that they made this decision even though they have not finished rating the other contentions?

[Navy04]

This letter is right my friend. I got the same letter as we all did, except that it listed a few conditions as not permanent.

[killemall]

Looks like you got 20% for hearing and tinitus. 10% each.

Permanent because uncurable.

Sounds like good news to me. I hope your other contentiins are also favorable

[shakeyswife]

Called the 1-800 number. They stated that the letter was a mistake. That it should not have totally and permanent.

Checked out the exam for hearing and tinnitus, and on the DBQ for Hearing loss and tinnitus. The examiner checked the box YES, for "Does the Veteran's hearing loss impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work?" Also checked the box YES, for "Does the Veteran's tinnitus impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work?"

So, can one be totally and permanent without being 100% or TDIU?

Confused........................

Edited March 7, 2014 by shakeyswife

[killemall]

The plot thickens.

I have 30% hearing loss and 10% tinitus. My letters dont say permament and total. Thats from a few years ago though.

[Chuck75]

I ran into something similar in E benefits a couple of months ago, Had to do with what boxes the veteran checked/answered and how.

Seems the resulting letter was generated without checking against the actual award(s).

[shakeyswife]

Received a corrected letter today. No permanent and total. It is truly amazing how fast the VA can correct things when something is not in favor of the vet.