Va Tinnitus Rating
Can anyone explain the va rating process to me, the steps involved? U C the dr., papers go to St. louis, then
We’ve seen the doctors who say yes to PTSD and hearing loss/tinnitus. The service rep says the “papers” have been sent to St. Louis…does this mean the 21-526 application for compensation has been filed? What is the next step? How long before we hear something? Will they only go back as far as August, when we first say the doctors or could they go back several years since the problems have been going on for years? Have lots of questions and confusion and the service rep’s not much help. He has cancer so his mind’s not on others too much these days. What should, or can, we do at this point???
Once your claim is submitted by the VA rep, it goes through a review board and that can take months. You will then get an answer to your claim as to whether or not it was approved.
If the claim is denied, you must immediately appeal the decision and try and provide any evidence they are looking for. They do not do the paperwork research, nor does the VA rep. You have to get all your paperwork (Service Record Book, etc) yourself to help support your claim.
When it comes to PTSD it’s the hardest to prove. Just because the VA doctors diagnose one with PTSD, the compensation board can still refuse composition. You will have to prove the “stressor factor” and that can be done by certain entries in his records, unit diaries, after the fact reports or better yet a “buddy statement” from someone who served with him.
It’s going to be a long road, it took me 13 years to get my disability, and most of the work was done by myself. Even after being sent by the doctors to a 30 day PTSD clinic and years of weekly therapy (along with some other “anger” issues).
The hearing loss will be easy, that can be up to 30% ddepending on the actual loss of hearing on each ear and should be awarded quickly, but you will have to appeal that decision if you want to include PTSD.
Hope this is of help.