tinnitus Once You Recieve !00%

[JohnM]

My question is: Once a person recieves 100 % P &T, Do you still file for NOD and if another disability or problem starts up to you still file for that for a rating. I have been trying to explain this to John put neither one of us really knows why you should file for a rating because you can't get anymore money or a higher rating. If anyone could explain this to us it would be helpful.

Right now John is questioning if we should file NOD for hearing and tinnitus. ( Possible Menier's).

Thanks in Advance.

[Guest rickb54]

My question is: Once a person recieves 100 % P &T, Do you still file for NOD and if another disability or problem starts up to you still file for that for a rating. I have been trying to explain this to John put neither one of us really knows why you should file for a rating because you can't get anymore money or a higher rating. If anyone could explain this to us it would be helpful.

Right now John is questioning if we should file NOD for hearing and tinnitus. ( Possible Menier's).

Thanks in Advance.

I have changed my opinion on this a couple of times. I used to think you should file a claim for anything that you think is service connected regardless as to what rating you already held, or what you could receive. I then thought that it made no sense to do this since in most cases if you are rated 100% or TDIU that you really would gain nothing in the end since you already get medical care, and are paid at the 100% rate.

But not so fast...... I think it really depends on the medical problem. If you are rated 100% or TDIU a claim of Tinnitus only amounts to 10%, chances are the hearing will be rated 0%. So what does that do for the average person.. nothing accomplished except another c/p and long wait before a decision is made.

Now on the other hand, if you have a life threating medical condition ( I have COPD), and you are already rated 100% or TDIU, you should still file for service connection because you never know how far down the line the condition will effect you ability to get around or, when it will kill you. In my case I filed for COPD (secondary to asthma, non-smoking) after I had TDIU for 6 years. I already had two seperate 60% ratings one for asthma and one for my back. I also had 5 10% ratings. I was awarded 30% for the COPD, seven months later I found myself on oxygen, which indicates I should be rated at 100%, In addition, I have an additional seperate 60% rating, that insures I will be rated as housebound, and my doctor wrote a letter, and did the exam for A&A, that pushes my smc up to the A&A rate. Now instead of haveing to prove COPD is service connected I just sit back and wait for the increase in compensation because it is going to happen now that I have submittted the medical evidence. Otherwise I could be on my death bed trying to prove my case, die, and then my spouse gets nothng because I am still under 10 years for Survivor benefits.

So my point is simple, if you have a life threating condition you should file the additional claim, if you can benefit from a new higher SMC you should file the claim. Otherwise why waste the time, and go through the hassle.

[john999]

I filed recently for arteriosceloris as secondary to DMII (AO). This is a disease that could possibly kill me or lead to amputation of a limb. That is my reason for filing and not to just play games with the VA. DMII, HBP, Heart Disease, cancer etc are good claims to file on for SC. These are serious diseases and you want to try for the DIC and possibly A&A at some point if it gets really bad before you cash in your chips. Most of the AO stuff should be filed on because they are system diseases that kill and cripple. PN secondary to DMII may seem like a minor thing (to those who don't have it ) but it can lead to amputations. You don't want to leave these claims for your spouse to try and prove as you lay dying. Rick is right on target on this aspect. I know Pete and Terry S. have severe PN and it cripples you slowly. It affects your overall health and is a very common secondary condition to DMII.