ptsd Tinnitus Proof?!

[Cavman]

Aside from my appeal I filed a claim for tinnitus and also a claim for gerd, hiatal hernia, barretts esophagus & insomnia, all secondary to my PTSD disability. I got the VCAA letter today and of course the letter asking for more evidence if I have it. I already sent them proof of the PTSD, letter describing my combat and the unit I was in and locations, docotrs proof of tinnitus and doctors proof of gerd, hiatal hernia & barretts esophagus. I had nothing from a doctor verifying insomnia. All I had was a letter of explanation from me. My questions are how do I prove daily combat noises caused the constant ringing in my ears other than my word? Also, will that be enough to get the 10% rating? As for the secondary disabilities claimed secondary to PTSD, what else can I send them? Lastly, do any of you think I have a chance of winning any of these claims or am I wasting my time?

As always, many thanks in advance.

Cavman

[Cavman]

Were you in combat close to artillary before they started providing ear protection? Thats where my Tinnitus problem started, 1968, Vietnam. I wasn't an artillary guy, but I might as well have been, I was shoulder to shoulder with the leg, mechanized infantry, and artillary. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE THE HEAD CONCUSION OF 107 HOWIZERS IF YOU ARE OUT In-FRONT OF THEM..... to your head and ears. I lived in front of them (artillary firings) for months and knew that it was damaging to my head and ears. No doubt... it was damaging.

If you.................................... make sure your claims has the FACTS about your military experience..... the artillary firing, day after day, and YOU were close to it without ANY ear/hearing protection.

MAKE SURE THIS IS IN YOUR RECORD.

Thanks for the help first of all. I sent a letter with my original claim explaining I lived with m-16, m-60, m-50, mortars, sheridan tanks, cobras, hueys, b-52`s and artillery fire day and night and of course there was no such thing as ear protection,

Cavman

[vaf]

Regarding your tinnitus claim, your service medical records should include the results of your periodic hearing tests in service. There's been a lot of discussion on this board about the measurements that indicate hearing problems. If you could tie your hearing test measurements into your lack of hearing protection while performing your duties in service, and with your doctor's letter, that would be hard for the VA to overcome. Your hearing test scores at the beginning of your enlistment should be better than near the end of your enlistment. The numbers would prove that.

An effective independent medical opinion in this case would probably need to come from a board-certified audiologist.

My understanding is there's no true test for tinnitus. You can have hearing problems caused by tinnitus, but also have hearing problems unrelated to tinnitus. It's pretty much the hearing test scores and the veteran's statement that he/she experiences ringing in the ears.

[Pete53]

Almost everyone had ear protection and almost no one used it in the Air Cav I was in. It was decoration worn on uniform.

[saltydawg]

i don't know about a 107,but i tell you about 102,105,155 towed/sp,175sp,8" guns.i was in 175mm unit,nd had ear plugs,i told the c&p doc i could not wear them 24/7 and didn't know when they would fire.i was not in combat,just trained alot.make sure your c&p doc knows it not a good thing to ware ear plugs in combat. i got 10% tinnis,0% hearing s/c.

[JON]

I had hearing exam by a private hearing specialist who wrote a letter to VA that more than likely tinnitus "ringing etc" was caused by military service. the doctor also noted to VA that my mos was 0311, Marine rifleman, and I was in 'Nam as well as being near a flight line and artillery unit. Remember "H&I" fire from artillery. It will help your claim to note it. The hearing doctor also mentioned all the different weapons I fired. We even mentioned firefight noise as well as rocket and morter noise.

Several years ago, when the VA medical center fitted me with hearing aids, the VA dispenser made a note in my records that I was "counselled about tinnitus problems" which also helped my claim. Good luck.

[Nathan104]

I have just been denied service connection for tinnitus. I was a helicopter pilot and was constantly around the high pitched wine of the engines. I filed right after I got out of service last year. Im not sure what I can do. I will be appealing, but, like you said, I really dont have anything to prove it other than my statement. I had mentioned it while in service but was told nothing could be done.