On the Forum: Can He Qualify for Military Disability?
Friday June 22, 2007
P2Chap writes on the forum:
in the u.s. navy in the mid 50's i was exposed to unprotected 45 caliber pistol fire and later, as an airborne air controller aboard the uss midway, exposed to unprotected 5 inch cannon fire. additonally, i had well over 100 launches and landings in an open cockpit single engine propeller driven aircraft. i have suffered from bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss for many years now and recently applied for disability. my application was denied because my "injury was not combat related."
in the u.s. navy in the mid 50's i was exposed to unprotected 45 caliber pistol fire and later, as an airborne air controller aboard the uss midway, exposed to unprotected 5 inch cannon fire. additonally, i had well over 100 launches and landings in an open cockpit single engine propeller driven aircraft. i have suffered from bilateral tinnitus and hearing loss for many years now and recently applied for disability. my application was denied because my "injury was not combat related."
as i plan to appeal that ruling, i'd like very much to communicate with anyone who has had a similar experience to learn what might help me in being successful this second time around.
Comments
Your disability does not have to be “combat related”, but you had to be serving at a time of war. There are many disabled veterans that collect disability pensions for conditions they suffered behind the front lines. I suggest you make yourself an appointment with the Disabled American Veteran’s (DAV)in your area before appealing this decision. The DAV will help you. But again, I want to stress that you had to have been serving in the military during a war time to collect a disability pension
I’m currently in the retirement process from the Navy and working on my disability package. The current rules say nothing about serving in a war zone or actively in war. The current rule is that your disability either occurred in service or was exacerbated by service (and is chronic). I too have bilateral tinnitus and moderate-to-severe sensioneural hearing loss and will get a disability determination for it. I concur that you should check with the DAV but would recommend you contact your state Veteran’s Adminsitration for assistance.
All the best.
I have a similar problem. I was a tank commander in the National Guard back in the late 50’s-early 60’s. On a firing range with no ear protection. A 90MM round from the tank next to me went off. Ringing in the ear and nausea followed immediately. Nausea went away but the ringing has never stopped. (50+ years.) Profound hearing loss now. Never really followed up on it. Should have. Good Luck. Jack
I got a ten per cent disability on Tinnitus which I have in both ears. I was a Military MP, and the VA granted me the loss,as to being a war veteran from the Viet Nam era. I had told my primary doctor about hearing problems and ringing in my ears. One doctor said I have nerve damage in the ears which I want to also make another disability. As to my duties the VA granted me the disability
Mark
I served in the infantry as enlisted man during peace-time. Twenty years later in 1982, I went suddenly deaf in my right ear. Diagnosis by the doctor was “Sudden Loss of Hearing.”I am convinced that it was from firing weapons without ear protection. Have significant roar and ringing in my right ear and suffer from vertigo. I applied 2 years ago and the VA denied me stating that it was not service related. I did not appeal because I had no new evidence. I hate to accept their decision but do not know what to do now. Any thoughts?
As an active duty tank mechanic serving in the late 80’s I too have lost hearing (I’m sure most track mechanics have- tanks are loud enough as it is, let alone when you do noise intensive maintenance like yanking off the back deck to work on the critters). When I transfered from Active Duty to National Guard, an audiogram taken right when I transfered to the Guard indicated a substantial loss of hearing in both ears when compared to the first audiogram given during the enlistment physical. The National Guard Doctor pointed this out to me; however I declined to pursue the matter at the time (being young, healthy and foolish). Now I am paying for that foolishness as my hearing continues to deteriorate. I’m wondering if it would be worth my time to request my records, and take them to the VA to see if I can qualify for partial disablity. The good news being that I had 2 audigrams- one at the beginning of active duty, and one taken by the National Guard right after active duty that will document the loss; proof that the loss was suffered while in the service. I’m just wondering if it is possible to gain limited disability benefits after 20 years- even with proof. Ideas?