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You may be one of the thousands upon thousands who are seeking compensation from the Military for an injury or mental situation you are facing. You are not alone.
What follows are some suggestion to hopefully help you on your journey. Please know that these are just suggestions and will not necessarily get you compensation.
One of the things I learned quickly is that the older you are the harder it is to get compensation. I was in the Military from 1959-1962. I was deployed to Korea in 1960. This was not war time. This was not Vietnam. I was in between all of that. I was selected to be in the Army Security Agency (somewhat like the Military CIA). My training was to be a radio/teletype operator; MOS 053-10. I monitored the airways for breaches in security. It was not an exciting job, and there were hours upon hours of nothing while working. Once and awhile it got interesting, like when a Colonel came on the air and invited all of his officer friends to his drunken party. He even gave directions, and contact information over the air. I jumped on it immediately and contacted the Local MPS. They were at his spot within minutes, and stopped the “party.” He was later busted.
Your job was to never take the earphones off of your ears. You had to spend every minute (for twelve hour shifts) listening to air ways and picking up Morse code messages.
The static was pretty intense at times, even more when you had to take one side of the earphones off and try to adjust the frequency of the receptor. Again, I had to leave the earphones on. This took a heavy toll on my hearing. I had tinnitus (ringing in the ears) coming on. I had headaches during my off duty times. But, during my time in the Military, and I am sure still now, it was duty first. You had to fulfill your duty while you were working. I had another incident while in the military. I was in a jeep accident where I was flung from the jeep and landed back first on a boulder. I was knocked unconscious, and woke up in a field medical tent. I had three surgeries; two on my neck and one in my lumbar area.
When I came back to the United States, I was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. I finished up my Army time, and took my parting physical. They cleared me with a statement that I was physically sound. They never ex-rayed my back or performed a hearing test. I got out of the Military, and still had the tinnitus. I let it go for many years thinking there wasn’t an avenue to receive help from the military. I didn’t know about the compensation program. I just began to seriously seek help about seven years ago, when I was 71 years old. I had severe hearing loss. I had strong tinnitus, and battles with depression, because I couldn’t hear what my grandchildren were saying. That is when a hearing specialist, that was treating me, shared the compensation program from the Military. I had no idea. So, I met with a Veteran’s advocate group. This is the VA advocacy that has representatives who fight for you. They helped me file a disability claim to the Veteran’s Administration. I put down what I did for a MOS (job) and what I did daily in Korea. I also filed a claim for a back injury.
As far as my hearing, I got a form letter back from them saying my hearing loss was due to aging, and I was denied. This happened because I waited for over 50 years to file a claim. The details were cloudy as far as my time in Korea according to the VA. The claim for my back and neck were also denied because they felt, again, that it was due to old age.
You need to start your claim immediately if you are injured or have physical problems of any kind. Do not wait. It is easy to procrastinate like I did, but then you will be facing disappointment and heartache. It is much harder to get a claim passed. What you will need is a written letter from a doctor saying they felt your injury was due the time you were in the military. That is a huge game changer, and should get you the claim you deserve. It may take you a while to find a doctor willing to do this, but they are there and keep looking.
Above all… don’t ever give up! I am still fighting for my rights and you should too.
What follows are some suggestion to hopefully help you on your journey. Please know that these are just suggestions and will not necessarily get you compensation.
One of the things I learned quickly is that the older you are the harder it is to get compensation. I was in the Military from 1959-1962. I was deployed to Korea in 1960. This was not war time. This was not Vietnam. I was in between all of that. I was selected to be in the Army Security Agency (somewhat like the Military CIA). My training was to be a radio/teletype operator; MOS 053-10. I monitored the airways for breaches in security. It was not an exciting job, and there were hours upon hours of nothing while working. Once and awhile it got interesting, like when a Colonel came on the air and invited all of his officer friends to his drunken party. He even gave directions, and contact information over the air. I jumped on it immediately and contacted the Local MPS. They were at his spot within minutes, and stopped the “party.” He was later busted.
Your job was to never take the earphones off of your ears. You had to spend every minute (for twelve hour shifts) listening to air ways and picking up Morse code messages.
The static was pretty intense at times, even more when you had to take one side of the earphones off and try to adjust the frequency of the receptor. Again, I had to leave the earphones on. This took a heavy toll on my hearing. I had tinnitus (ringing in the ears) coming on. I had headaches during my off duty times. But, during my time in the Military, and I am sure still now, it was duty first. You had to fulfill your duty while you were working. I had another incident while in the military. I was in a jeep accident where I was flung from the jeep and landed back first on a boulder. I was knocked unconscious, and woke up in a field medical tent. I had three surgeries; two on my neck and one in my lumbar area.
When I came back to the United States, I was stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. I finished up my Army time, and took my parting physical. They cleared me with a statement that I was physically sound. They never ex-rayed my back or performed a hearing test. I got out of the Military, and still had the tinnitus. I let it go for many years thinking there wasn’t an avenue to receive help from the military. I didn’t know about the compensation program. I just began to seriously seek help about seven years ago, when I was 71 years old. I had severe hearing loss. I had strong tinnitus, and battles with depression, because I couldn’t hear what my grandchildren were saying. That is when a hearing specialist, that was treating me, shared the compensation program from the Military. I had no idea. So, I met with a Veteran’s advocate group. This is the VA advocacy that has representatives who fight for you. They helped me file a disability claim to the Veteran’s Administration. I put down what I did for a MOS (job) and what I did daily in Korea. I also filed a claim for a back injury.
As far as my hearing, I got a form letter back from them saying my hearing loss was due to aging, and I was denied. This happened because I waited for over 50 years to file a claim. The details were cloudy as far as my time in Korea according to the VA. The claim for my back and neck were also denied because they felt, again, that it was due to old age.
You need to start your claim immediately if you are injured or have physical problems of any kind. Do not wait. It is easy to procrastinate like I did, but then you will be facing disappointment and heartache. It is much harder to get a claim passed. What you will need is a written letter from a doctor saying they felt your injury was due the time you were in the military. That is a huge game changer, and should get you the claim you deserve. It may take you a while to find a doctor willing to do this, but they are there and keep looking.
Above all… don’t ever give up! I am still fighting for my rights and you should too.
Benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Command Post
Healthcare
Health
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 19
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Don't bother with the VA bureaucrats. A few are good, but most of them are about as useful as pockets in underwear. When I needed help submitting paperwork, and getting all my ducks in a row, I went to my state's department of veterans affairs. They had an office on the VA medical center campus, with several Veterans Service Officers (VSO's) from several different Veterans Service Organizations (also VSO's).
I got hooked up with a VSO from the American Legion. He took care of it all, and even used his office phone to FAX paperwork across the country.
It took seven months after submission, but the claim was approved, and backdated. I wound up getting a six figure check with a crooked number in front.
I got hooked up with a VSO from the American Legion. He took care of it all, and even used his office phone to FAX paperwork across the country.
It took seven months after submission, but the claim was approved, and backdated. I wound up getting a six figure check with a crooked number in front.
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SPC Douglas Bolton
SSG Ken Gilder Great thoughts Ken. You went in the right direction and got results.
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I was medically discharged and filed when I got out. How ever no one prepared me for the battles I would be facing in 1989. Here it is 2017 and the battle still goes on. Where can I start to help others? While in the service get into your medical files every thing that happens to you from the least a paper cut to the worst injury you may receive. If you do not have copies of your medical files you can request them from St. Louis Mo. then make copies of them in ...you guessed it , triplicate. Get them certified by a notary of public. Take one to the county seat and have it placed on record, save the recorded number in a safe. Take the second copy to the Veterans Administration and have it put on file. The third is your copy to save, place it in a safe. DD-214 get 5 copies and have notarized. The next part go through the V.A. list of injuries that they allow you to claim on and write down everyone that applies to your medical files (military). Key note if your issues could have been caused or aggravated by a condition or injury you received in the service then write it down. Medical documentation outside of the VA is critical. For some reason the VA is 5-6 years behind non government professionals. Also if you are denied then find a lawyer, sure it costs money that is restricted to the amount paid out by the VA. Ask for it all and dont accept the first 3-5 as the best your going to get. I believe that during the Reagan years the rating was changed to this. You get lets say 50% disability rating for one issue. If you got another 50% rating for the second issue you would have been 100% but what they do is 50% of the 50% which would be 25% but because they only do 10% increments you would get 80% for a disability rating. There is more I could inform you on but I have run out of time.
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Douglas, I was a 05C about the same time that you were, and yes, I have tinnitus as well, which may have come through countless hours around 10kw generators and the faithful J-38 key. I've just begun making a claim with the VA because of Agent Orange and its symptoms and I've learned it will take a year at least.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
SPC Douglas Bolton I had a good VA representative who helped me get the paperwork, forms, etc faxed direct to the VA headquarters. It took several trips to the representative's office either on a Tuesday or Thursday (her office hours), but it paid off in June wherein I was awarded 100% disability based on Agent Orange exposure. I now draw the disability and it is certainly helpful.
I truly hope you can get your case resolved in your favor.
I truly hope you can get your case resolved in your favor.
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SPC Douglas Bolton
SFC Greg Bruorton - You are one of our shining stars Greg. Good for you. I will never give up. Still fighting.
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SFC Greg Bruorton
SPC Douglas Bolton - What helped immensely is that my three medical appointments went smoother than expected. I went in 10 to 20 minutes early and was out at the time the appointment was scheduled. I was paid for all three trips, based on mileage from home to medical facility, and since it was run by civilians with top-notch courtesy and willingness to help, my case worked faster.
Perhaps it had to do with President Trump's actions in the long scheme of things and for that, I'm most grateful.
The first appointment was a general medical interview, the second was a psychiatric evaluation where the truth is best told, and the third appointment was for lab work--blood. Then came the waiting, but it was acceptable. The money went into my bank account without notice or explanation and eventually I received the letters that showed the percentile awarded for PTSD, diabetes, and Agent Orange. The PTSD failed and I only got a 20% for the diabetes situation. I figured the PTSD would be approved because of all the weird dreams and hallucinations I've had through the years. I'll have to tell you sometimes what crazy dreams I've had based on Army service.
Whatever you do, Doug, don't give up; keep fighting for it.
Perhaps it had to do with President Trump's actions in the long scheme of things and for that, I'm most grateful.
The first appointment was a general medical interview, the second was a psychiatric evaluation where the truth is best told, and the third appointment was for lab work--blood. Then came the waiting, but it was acceptable. The money went into my bank account without notice or explanation and eventually I received the letters that showed the percentile awarded for PTSD, diabetes, and Agent Orange. The PTSD failed and I only got a 20% for the diabetes situation. I figured the PTSD would be approved because of all the weird dreams and hallucinations I've had through the years. I'll have to tell you sometimes what crazy dreams I've had based on Army service.
Whatever you do, Doug, don't give up; keep fighting for it.
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SPC Douglas Bolton
SFC Greg Bruorton - I certainly will Greg. I have an appointment with my VA advisor s coming up
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Yeah ive been with this bad back for 2 decades now and keep getting shut off at the word go. Gave up after the first 5 years.
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SPC Douglas Bolton
SPC Edward Banning Never give up Edward!! I have battled for my rights for over ten years and still not stopping. Do you have a VA rep working with you? There should be some near you. Call them and set up an appointment. You have to make sure you have medical records for your time in the military as well, to show when you may have hurt your back. If you need more assistance get back to me.
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Mr. Bolton & All,
The VA has changed, I retired in Oct 2010 and 7 years later I went on-line and filed to obtain my disability percentage rating. Its a New VA, President Trump has fired over 400 non-performing personnel. I just had my first appointment at LHI Inc., who is contracted by the VA and they were outstanding and tried to help me to get what I deserved. Refile and go back!
BTW, the VA will pay for certification / license tests – take advantage of this to make yourself more competitive in the workforce - https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/licensing_certification.asp
The VA has changed, I retired in Oct 2010 and 7 years later I went on-line and filed to obtain my disability percentage rating. Its a New VA, President Trump has fired over 400 non-performing personnel. I just had my first appointment at LHI Inc., who is contracted by the VA and they were outstanding and tried to help me to get what I deserved. Refile and go back!
BTW, the VA will pay for certification / license tests – take advantage of this to make yourself more competitive in the workforce - https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/licensing_certification.asp
Licensing and Certification - Education and Training
The GI Bill provides education benefits to veterans and their dependents.
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contact your congressman and persist. Write down dates times and who you talked with. Keep all writen responses.
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Thank you SPC Bolton for your service and for taking the time to post your experience.
You really have to know the right questions to ask in the VA system, but the communication has improved drastically since even I was discharged from the Army in 1992. I began having Tinnitus about 2012. I thought just because it was not documented at sick call in my medical record, then it wasn't considered ''service connected''. Well to my surprise, I heard some guys talking about this in the waiting room at the VA regional office. Certain disabilities are considered service connected simply because they are ''JOB/SKILL'' related. I was awarded a 10% rating due to ''military noise exposure'' just because my DD214 shows that I was a Generator Mechanic. By the way, you must provide them a copy of your DD214; DON'T ASSUME they know your MOS/job skill! The time lapse for my claim obviously did not matter. The comp and pen doctor (contracted thru OTC) also evaluated me with left ear hearing loss. However, another vet told me that I must file a separate claim for this ,since the finding was not the reason for the original claim. Therefore, I am following up with this doctor with my private health insurance and will submit these records with my claim. Maybe I will get a rating increase for the hearing loss being affected by the tinnitus?
I hope this helps someone.
SSG David Clayton
You really have to know the right questions to ask in the VA system, but the communication has improved drastically since even I was discharged from the Army in 1992. I began having Tinnitus about 2012. I thought just because it was not documented at sick call in my medical record, then it wasn't considered ''service connected''. Well to my surprise, I heard some guys talking about this in the waiting room at the VA regional office. Certain disabilities are considered service connected simply because they are ''JOB/SKILL'' related. I was awarded a 10% rating due to ''military noise exposure'' just because my DD214 shows that I was a Generator Mechanic. By the way, you must provide them a copy of your DD214; DON'T ASSUME they know your MOS/job skill! The time lapse for my claim obviously did not matter. The comp and pen doctor (contracted thru OTC) also evaluated me with left ear hearing loss. However, another vet told me that I must file a separate claim for this ,since the finding was not the reason for the original claim. Therefore, I am following up with this doctor with my private health insurance and will submit these records with my claim. Maybe I will get a rating increase for the hearing loss being affected by the tinnitus?
I hope this helps someone.
SSG David Clayton
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SPC Douglas Bolton
Thank you David for your response. Very helpful. I have found that 10% may be the highest they will rate people for tinnitus. Hope I am wrong. Let me know how this turns out.
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