Set up Compensation?

SPC Rob Julian — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:04:14 -0400

I was in Germany in 1978, as a "Duece and a half" motor transport operator. 3 months in, we received brand new Trucks with turbo chargers. No ear protection was provided, nor was any information about the risk to " not" wearing ear protection when operating a vehicle with a turbocharger. So essentially, it was like driving a truck with a loud whistle blowing in my left ear for 30 months. Today I can barely hear out of my left ear, and it has caused things like vertigo, anxiety, stress. I cant use 2 phones at a time (which I use being in telecommunications) headaches, dizziness, confusion, not to mention hard to hear people speak. Even when my baby was born, I was forced to sleep on my right side only in order to hear my baby crying in the middle of the night. I have had several hearing exams, and the only prescribed a hearing aid, which I found out, will only amplify the the things I need to hear, resulting in further hearing loss and even more damage to my hearing. I would like to set up for some kind of compensation as a result of negligence on behalf of the military. Any advise would be well received, Thank you.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 23 at 2021 3:45 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 03:45:59 -0400

SPC Rob Julian go to a VFW, DAV, or other Veteran Support Organization -VSO - and see someone who specializes in helping you do a VA claim. I used DAV. Also, have your doctor/hearing specialist write a letter detailing your hearing loss and the link to your service.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2021 8:19 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 20:19:20 -0400

Last I was tracking, the Army doesn’t pay for hearing loss anymore. They provide ear-plugs so hearing claims wouldn’t be a thing. Could be wrong though!

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Oct 26 at 2021 9:07 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 21:07:29 -0400

Have you filed a claim yet? Does your military medical records show a service connection to the disability?
Have you had a full battery of hearing tests? Is it hearing loss or it is tinnitus? If your job exposed you to conditions that resulted in damage to your hearing it is a slam dunk but the onus will be on you to prove that connection.

You can submit a claim or work with an advocate to submit a claim

Response by SPC Rob Julian made Nov 4 at 2021 11:26 AM

SPC Rob Julian — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 11:26:14 -0400

When I was Honorably discharged in 1981, the loss of hearing was negligible, its over time that the loss of hearing got worse, but the damage was already done.