Disability Awards: I have a question about mine (merged)

[Strike]

Questions to consider when looking at your offer:
1.  Are you still in the military?
2.  What is the cost of hearing aids?  Keep in mind that you will likely have to replace them every once in awhile for a newer version or one with a better fit.

 

[the 48th regulator]

2.  What is the cost of hearing aids?  Keep in mind that you will likely have to replace them every once in awhile for a newer version or one with a better fit.

They will be covered by Veteran's affairs, so pricing really doesn't matter.

dileas

tess

 

[Northern Ranger]

Just spoke with a buddy of mine and it sounds inline with what he got. With out his hearing aid he doesn't hear birds chirping.

 

[Occam]

You should review your documentation to see if a cause was attributed to your tinnitus.  Under the old rules, if the tinnitus is not attributed to the hearing loss, then the tinnitus is a separately claimable disability.  In my case, I was awarded 10% for my tinnitus, and 2% for my hearing loss.  The tinnitus disability is awarded at 5% for mild or moderate tinnitus, or 10% for severe.  Severe tinnitus is that which requires a masker device or other modality (a hearing aid which is performing the function of a masker counts).

I just recently got a favourable decision on the final appeal to raise the tinnitus amount to 10%.  It had only been approved at 5% previously as the specialists hadn't made it crystal clear for the VRAB that my hearing aid was prescribed specifically for tinnitus.  Now any change to the disability will be based on any degradation in my hearing.

edit:  I should add that my claim was under the Pension Act, not the New Veterans Charter.  Looking at the 2006 Table of Disabilities, tinnitus is separately claimable from hearing loss, regardless of cause.  If your tinnitus is constant, and requires the use of a masker (or hearing aid acting as a masker), then you should be getting 10% for the tinnitus alone.

If you want the references cited in my appeal, please PM me and I'll be happy to help out.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Thank you Occam, PM on its way.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Another question, if I accept the award as offered, does that acceptance predjudice my right to appeal at a later date?

 

[CallOfDuty]

Absolutely not.  They say in the letter you receive in the mail, for whatever reason you can appeal your claim.  You keep the money you received and if your appeal goes through, you get more.
 

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Thank you CallofDuty. You guys have been a wealth of info.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

About 6 months ago, I was awarded a 12% combination hearing loss/tinnitus award, which resulted in a 10% (or $27,608) award. I thought it interesting that VAC used a fairly complex formula to determine that exact disability percentage, yet rounded down the award to an even 10%. I went through the departmental review process, and lo and behold they bumped my disability to 17%, and that resulted in a net 15% award. Each percentage point rounded down is $2,700. I wonder how many of you out there have experienced this rounding down? I suspect that there are many more out there. I plan on moving on to the next step, the appeal hearing, next week.  I wonder if there is a class action in here somewhere......?

 

[Occam]

Same here.  Under the old system (Pension Act), I get 10% disability for tinnitus at 5/5 entitlement, along with 5% disability for hearing loss at 2/5 entitlement (even though the hearing loss is caused by the tinnitus), which results in an overall pension payable of 12%, rounded down to 10%.  My hearing amount may change due to worsening hearing, but I'll always get dinged by one level due to the entitlement amount.

 

[PuckChaser]

It baffles me how these crooks can get away with this....

 

[Cdnleaf]

:2c:  They round up as well, i.e. 3%=5% / 8%=10% / 13%=15% you get the idea.  It often comes down to fighting for one % point to get you to the next level.  Good luck with the appeal process / all the best. 

 

[Sunlitbeauty]

I have been in contact with VA via email since March of this year, and still have yet to receive a response to my question. The only response that i have received is that the person had received my email. I received another email saying that the person was out of the office for the long weekend, and would not be back in the office until Tuesday. I originally contacted them via phone, and was told to send them an email. I just simply want to know how i go about applying for the disability award? I was told by a fellow staff member here that I should apply for it, as he felt that I would have no issue receiving it. I have three herniated disks that I sustained during training almost a year ago, and may be facing a medical release although I have not heard anything as of yet regarding a 3(b) release. I have been told by the specialist that I will return to 100% functionality, it is simply a matter of time. Since I have not been given an exact time frame as to when I will recover from my injury, is there any way that I can appeal if the forces decides to try and medically release me? Does anyone have any advice to offer, or any experience with an issue like this? Thank you in advance for your reply. 

 

[the 48th regulator]

Go to you local IPSC (Integrated Personnel Support Centre) , as there should be someone there that can advise you.  All IPSCs have a representative from VAC, that you can meet face to face.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/sub.cfm?source=contact/western

dileas

tess

Locked milnet.ca staff

 

[ex-Highlander]

One of the great things I brought back from my tour was asthma.  After being told by VAC I had no diagnosis for asthma post-tour (untrue, there certainly was), I went to an independent respirologist, where asthma was reconfirmed.  Although I've been diagnosed with asthma, VAC persists in calling it Reactive Airway Disorder.  I'm not sure if this is a tomatoes, to-mah-toes sort of thing, or if there is a difference between the two when it comes to a disability award, coverage, etc.  Does anyone else have any experience with this?  I have my claim form awaiting my signature, but I want to make sure there isn't something I should be addressing here before sending it back in.

 

[blackberet17]

Just going solely by what I found on the Mayo Clinic Web site for reactive airway disease:

"Sometimes the terms 'reactive airway disease' and 'asthma' are used interchangeably. Often, the term 'reactive airway disease' is used when asthma is suspected, but not yet confirmed.

For VAC purposes, the last part of that sentence is a big one, asthma is suspected, but not yet confirmed.

IOW, further information, preferably a diagnosis from a respirologist, would help support your claim. Nothing says you can't still send in your application, and continue to gather as much medical information as you can from specialists. The more you've got, the stronger your case.

 

[ex-Highlander]

Thanks, Blackberet. 

I've come across a couple of different takes on reactive airway disease, including one from here  http://www.uptodate.com/contents/reactive-airways-dysfunction-syndrome-and-irritant-induced-asthma , where they define it as a type of asthma, where bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airflow obstruction are caused by inhaled irritants (i.e.: dust, smoke, chemicals, etc).  I'm not sure what angle VAC approaches it from though.  Maybe I'll just send in the claim with my respirologist's info and see where it goes from there. 

On another note, I haven't seen any numbers floating around, but I'd sure be interested in knowing how many of ours developed lung problems of once sort or another related to their deployment to Afghanistan.

 

[Bzzliteyr]

I came back with some interesting bronchial issues in 08.  They cleared up after a while but was no fun for about a month after my return.

 

[blackberet17]

Haven't seen any stats on such a thing yet, ex-Highlander. We can isolate per medical condition, but not sure on service period or location.

You've made me curious, though, so I'll ask. If I come across anything definitive, I'll post here.

There is the Australian Korean War Veterans' Health Study, interesting stuff, which could/should/would-be-nice-if-it-did lead to a similar health study for Afghanistan.