tdiu 100% Disability Success

[Paul]

I really didn't have much of a problem getting my claim approved. I went to a doctor who happened to also be an ex-marine (as I am). He wrote a letter concerning my hearing disability. At the time, I was 67 and working as a telemarketer making appointments for a tree company. At that time, my eisability rating for hearing was 20%. My hearing was getting so bad I couldn't hear on the phone, even with two amphiliers piled on my one remaining ear. I also had several hearing tests from the VA showing my hearing was very bad. I got a letter from my employer stating he was going to have to let me go because I couldn't work any more. I sent it all to the VA claim. They had me take a few medical exams, including a psychiatric exam, determine what I said was true. The put the claim on "fast track" because of my age and within a few months I had 100% unemployability compensation. The important thing to remember, as far as I can tell, is the VA will not accept anything you say. You have to get a professional to verify everything you claim is true. As I recall, I applied in July and had approval in time for Christmas the same year.

[Speaking Out]

Good for you, you give us hope, but also bring out the green monster a little too. I am glad for you. Thanks for sharing your positive story. It's nice to hear one once in a while.

[Guest rickb54]

The important thing to remember, as far as I can tell, is the VA will not accept anything you say. You have to get a professional to verify everything you claim is true.

Paul,

Congralations on proving your claim, you seem somewhat amazed.

Actually for the va to accept your claim they have to think it was plausible, therefor they do accept what you have to say. But like any compensation system, you have to get medical professional to verify/confirm that you have a contuining problem, and that it is service connected, this is called the evidence. I don't understand why you seem to be so amazed about this. This is the way the system was designed to work.

[Berta]

Paul- this is great news and you handled your claim quite well-

did you have a vet rep help you at all?

I like what you did and I think it is a good suggestion-

have an employer write a letter to the VA stating that your service connected condition made it impossible for you to continue to perfom your job.

Some employers get scared because, if they fall under ADA EEOC guidelines they are prohibited by law from letting a disabled vet go due to their service connection.

My husband won the first ADA EEOC suit in NY as a disabled veteran.The federal contractor held his SC against him in a personnel retention matter.

In many cases however-as long as the employer knows your intent is not a discrimination lawsuit due to your disability, many would be happy to prepare a letter like this.

[Tbird]

Paul,

Congralations on proving your claim, you seem somewhat amazed.

Actually for the va to accept your claim they have to think it was plausible, therefor they do accept what you have to say. But like any compensation system, you have to get medical professional to verify/confirm that you have a contuining problem, and that it is service connected, this is called the evidence. I don't understand why you seem to be so amazed about this. This is the way the system was designed to work.

I'm always amazed when the sytem works the way it's supposed to

[Cavman]

Paul:

First of all, congratulations.

I am trying to help an elderly Korea era vet with the same condition right now. He was on a flight deck a long time and a helicopter mechanic. He says his hearing was damaged in service and he is now almost deaf. He applies for jobs and never gets called because of his hearing I`m sure. He says he went to sick call for his problem while in the Navy. I told him he has a chance if that is true. I do question his memory. He finally has a c & p this month. It took almost 8 months to get his c & p. He also just got an IU form sent to him with the VCAA. He did file for IU also along with hearing and tinnitus. Does anyone read anything into him just now getting an IU form sent to fill out?

Cavman