I recently discovered a hearing loss in my left ear. It was an accut onset so I went to the doctor who gave me a hearing test. It was revealed that I have 70% loss in my left ear and 30% loss in my right ear. I also have tinnitus in my left ear. I talked to my Vet Rep and he advised that I should file a claim for a disability for it. He asked me what I did while in the service. I told him I was a Radioman in the submarine service. While on board we sent and received Morse code and monitored teletype signals while at sea. Sometimes the signal wasn't very good so the volume had to be turned way up. We stood 6 hr on and 12 hr off watches. We also experienced pressure differentials on the boat at times causing our ears to pop. There were loud blasts of air at times, loud machinery (i.e., diesel engine, pumps, turbines, etc.) from the engine compartment and through out the boat.
My military medical record seems to only record a pre-submarine school hearing exam. There were other audio reports in the record but I don't remember taking audio tests after assignment to my duty station. I also don't recall an exit audo test upon separation from the service. After separation from the service I'd worked in construction where I'd experience loud noises and finally, prior to retirement I worked in law enforcement. We had to requalify at the gun range twice a year. We wore hearing protection at the range. My Vet Rep said that I should file for a disability. But I'm not sure about his oppinion since I have no medical history of hearing loss since military service until now.
Based on this brief history would it be feasable to submit a claim to the Va for disability? I am currently receiving a 10% disability for back injury and awaiting a response on an appeal for a neck injury.
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jimshoe52
I recently discovered a hearing loss in my left ear. It was an accut onset so I went to the doctor who gave me a hearing test. It was revealed that I have 70% loss in my left ear and 30% loss in my right ear. I also have tinnitus in my left ear. I talked to my Vet Rep and he advised that I should file a claim for a disability for it. He asked me what I did while in the service. I told him I was a Radioman in the submarine service. While on board we sent and received Morse code and monitored teletype signals while at sea. Sometimes the signal wasn't very good so the volume had to be turned way up. We stood 6 hr on and 12 hr off watches. We also experienced pressure differentials on the boat at times causing our ears to pop. There were loud blasts of air at times, loud machinery (i.e., diesel engine, pumps, turbines, etc.) from the engine compartment and through out the boat.
My military medical record seems to only record a pre-submarine school hearing exam. There were other audio reports in the record but I don't remember taking audio tests after assignment to my duty station. I also don't recall an exit audo test upon separation from the service. After separation from the service I'd worked in construction where I'd experience loud noises and finally, prior to retirement I worked in law enforcement. We had to requalify at the gun range twice a year. We wore hearing protection at the range. My Vet Rep said that I should file for a disability. But I'm not sure about his oppinion since I have no medical history of hearing loss since military service until now.
Based on this brief history would it be feasable to submit a claim to the Va for disability? I am currently receiving a 10% disability for back injury and awaiting a response on an appeal for a neck injury.
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georgiapapa
Based on your description of the noise exposure associated with your duties as a Radioman in the submarine service, I think you should file a claim for hearing loss and tinnitus. However, the VA wil
georgiapapa
jimshoe52, If your doctor states it would be difficult for him/her to determine whether your hearing loss and tinnitus were caused by your noise exposure in the military, noise exposure in civilian
Buck52
I agree with georgiapapa! just be upfront and honest with the Dr or Audiologist ask them about this before you take the test? if they can't or won't say your hearing loss is'' likely to as no
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