Tinnitus

[Larry South]

I reciently heard from a friend that 10% for tinnitus in both ears may have been changed to where I could get 10% for each ear. Any truth in that?

[Ted Duckworth]

Larry
A court case at the US Court for Veterans Appeals (The Court) has ruled that each ear is worth 10% for tinnitus. You can not have 5% for each ear.
I would suggest that those with tinnitus already rated service connected appeal their case to force the VA to go back to the date of appeal. I hope the court ruling forces the VA to go back to the date of the decision vs. from the date the VA gets around to making the changes. The changes should occur around Dec. or Jan.
I would say that every single person who regularly worked on the flight line around helicopters or any other type of aircraft have some degree of hearing loss and this includes pilots who flew the different type of craft.
Hearing loss is an incidious type of disability that didn't cause any pain, but if you have a ringing or buzzing in the ears it is a sign or hearing loss and you have tinnitus. It may even be a clicking sound. Tinnitus is a sign you have quite significant hearing loss.
The helicopter alone was enough to cause hearing loss and then we fired m-60's or .50 caliber machine guns, had rockets going off near our ears etc. Then, we had rocket attacks, mortar attacks and every thing else that went boom. File a claim if you haven't already done so, the VA is quite liberal on hearing loss at this time.
Ted Duckworth
Veterans Service Officer
Juneau Co. WI

[Larry South]

That's what I wanted to hear. I will be at the county VA rep's office first thing Monday. Thank you for the info and the reply.

[battman]

Contacted the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs about this and was informed that the VA was appealing this ruleing. We have been put on hold.

[battman]

Just recieved another call from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and further research shows that there is a window of approval that is not in the appeal by the VA and if you fall in this window you need to apply for the additional 10%. Sorry but he did not tell me anything about the window other then June 2003 was mentioned.

[Larry South]

You are right, for some reason that my County VA Rep didn't seem to understand, the VA put a June 2003 cut off window for the additional 10% for bilateral tinnitus. I was awarded the original 10% in July 2002. So, my rep typed it up and sent it off and requested that I keep him apprised of any mail I recieve pertaining to this topic. He apparently has others that are waiting to hear how mine is handled since it seems I qualify under the VA ruling guidelines. However I told him I would suggest anyone should apply if they have tinnitus now and worry about the additional rating after they are rated in the first place.

[battman]

I believe the magic date is 13 June 2003. Mine was approved as of 31 March 2003, so I have had my request sent in also. Will post more as the news comes in.

Simper Fi
Jim

[1chuck]

I was just approved for tinitus as of 11/04 does this mean that i can now reapply to get another 10% or I am just out of luck ?

[battman]

1chuck
What I Was Told By The Rep From Okla Dept Of Veterans Affairs Is: Va Is Appealing The Ruling By The Court Of 10% Per Ear, But If You Were Rated Before 13 June 2003 Then It Does Not Fall Under The Appeal. If You Can Figure That Out Your Aok. You May Still Get It, But Later.

[orlando ingvold]

I have it. Have had it for quite a while even while on active duty. Made it hard to pass hearing tests at annual physicals. Tone type tests mimicked those already in my head until they got louder so I could identify the test sound. I have good hearing now but have the constant, consistant sounds, more than one tone, always. Huey Gun pilot, do I have a claim in addition to my other one, a 10%er?
Lanny