I could use your assistance I'm already 100% P&T. However I did not know anything about the stumbling issue desire I'm in a scooter now because of falls and more.
I filed my paperwork with a DAV representative last week and I'm currently waiting for it to hit the system. I had written on there that I had Vertigo at times; however, having you talk about Meniere's Disease and reading up about it by myself made me realize that this might be what I have. I need to go to the AMCC tomorrow, so I'm about to look into it.
I have tinnitus which began while In was in the service as a cannon artillery officer. It am in my 70s and it has gotten so bad I can’t get to sleep until past midnight and the hissing in my ears wakes me up around 0500. I identified the frequencies and amplitude of the tinnitus in each each with the use of two tone generator apps on my phone. My right ear is in the 5300 Hz range and left ear is lower around 4800. Occasionally Inget a very low humming tone. I measured my tinnitus at around 90 Db. When I’m vacuuming the kitchen floor with a Dysen V10 I can still hear the tinnitus over the roar of the vacuum, which is 92 Db. It is a condition the VA is ignoring so thank you for presenting this video.
Have you done a hearing test with VA or Civilian doctor? Have you filed your claim for Tinnitus? Have they sent your for a C&P exam for Tinnitus? Request your full military service record and medical records. If you were in a military hospital, those records are separate from your personal medical records request them by the hospital name. Tell your doctor about hearing loss and tones. Get a hearing test done. Since you hear tones all the time click when you hear tones, when in doubt, click. File a claim if you haven't already or an appeal if you have. Include a personal statement of how it affects your life. If you have a wife or close friend you spend time with have them write a statement of how you complain or react when the tone changes like mine does (I flinch and stop what I am doing when the tone or volume changes). Tell them you were in Artillery, Include copy your DD-214 and military service records showing where you served and types of commands. When they schedule you for a C&P exam, go to it. Tell the examiner everything about tones, vacuum, military artillery, and how tinnitus affects your daily life. Examiner will probably give you another hearing test. Click when you hear tones, when in doubt, click. Good luck. If you are granted Tinnitus disability look at all the TH-cam videos on secondary claims related to tinnitus and get diagnosed before filing for any that are pertinent to you.
I have tim ,, hurt in the navy,, tbi,, that made me want to stab my ears out , really and I was told even if you stab your ear drums out u will still get the high pitch ringing ,,, I'm Christian, but many times the ringing bothers me , especially in a quite room at night it's impossible to sleep 😢
My strategy of dropping a diagnosed secondary condition with a good lay statement (and NO Nexus letter) has worked so far. Initially, the VSO did the shotgun approach. I wrote a lay statement for each condition as I got educated. The last lay statement I did was two or three days after the C&P exam. Took about 18 months from the day I dropped the claim to receiving a very positive decision letter. Very positive outcome
I have hard time believing that i had 2 nexus letters and DBQ's from private doctors a buddy letter and a letter from my wife with supporting documents and my own letter and my treatment records from my own doctors. This not strange some of my comments has been deleted. Must be true
Holy crap! I had never heard of Ménière’s disease until I just watched this video, and I have it on a daily basis. It’s been pointed out to me by several people, and I just wrote it off as vertigo and arthritis in my hips and knees, and didn’t realize it was coming from the way you described it. I’m going to have to make an appointment with my doctor and get this diagnosed ASAP. THANK YOU!!!
@@vaclaimsacademy Yes, it does suck and it does affect my quality of life A LOT. I want to thank you for your videos, they are very informative, but even as important as that is to me, they are short and sweet and don’t drone on and on and on. With my PTSD and TBI, I lose focus quickly, but I also snap to frustration and even anger and sometimes yell at some videos from others “in the name of God get on with it and get to the point!” I never have to do that with your videos and I thank you for it. With information gained from your videos, I recently received 10% for vertigo and 50% for migraines added to my previous tinnitus. I am now at 60%.
Certainly wish you the best. Get treated by all means. Please realize that vertigo and Ménière's disease will impact your ability to drive and may lead to restrictions. Put your health first, and also ensure safety. Good luck.
WOW, just wow!!! I already have my 10% tinnitus rating. About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Menier's disease by a civilian ENT. I'm currently sitting at 60% service-connected, however I just completed a C&P exam for orthopedics (which I was informed are all presumptive due to my time as a paratrooper). If the ortho stuff doesn't bump me to 100%, I will definitely be filing the Menier's secondary to tinnitus!!! Appreciate the knowledge you are sharing... I just stumbled onto your channel on my commute this morning! Subscribing now!
@@vernonhuffman2311 As a paratrooper you may have bilateral knee pain; bilateral hip; lower back issues, etc. I actually have a deviated septum from slamming into a tree. Hope this helps..
Hey Jordon. Happy New Year's. I took your advice. I'm 100% P&T NOW. IM 70 % FOR PTSD. I FILED INSOMNIA SECONDARY TO MY CRONIC TINNITUS. THEY GRANTED ME 100% FOR PTSD AND GRANTED ME SMC-S ALSO.
Woooooow.....i found out that I have vertigo just from watching this video. I didn't know what my problem was and I definitely didn't think that it had to do with my tinnitus. Thank you so much for this!
I can't believe I just saw this, served for over four years on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) from 1989 to 1994, including deployments during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While working on the flight deck, I worked 56,000 mission sorties on the LSO platform as well as the flight deck, facing extreme noise exposure and sustaining multiple falls. Over the years, I’ve developed severe knee pain and resulting injury, difficulty walking, and chronic pain also ringing in my ears and focusing problems, among other health issues. Additionally, I struggled with alcohol abuse for many years but am now sober. As my symptoms have worsened, I believe it’s time to seek support through a disability claim, and I would appreciate guidance on how to proceed.
Go to your local VFW or American Legion and set up a meeting with a representative to help you get started. In the mean time request your service records (form SF-180) , dd-214 if you don't already have it in your possession, and your medical records, including request to any and all medical hospitals if you have been hospitalized while serving. All those are on the SF-180 but you need to name each hospital where you were hospitalized as those records are separate from your personal medical records/.
Get the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to help you file a claim. It will cost you $100 which is a lifetime membership in the DAV. You can find your nearest chapter by doing a Google search.
Brother thanks for your videos I had conditions that I didn't know their names but thanks to you I was able to file every single condition, I didn't need help from no one and got 100 pt thanks!
Tinnitus is a nightmare that I can never wake up from. Sometimes buzzing, sometimes a beeping, sometimes seems like people talking in the background. It drives me crazy! If I could afford it, I'd PAY $4000 a month to rid myself of it.
Bro ikr!! It sometimes once or twice a week get woken from it mid sleep. Usually that’s just the high pitched ringing that wakes me. But I’ve also had that bumblebee noise randomly about once a week. Going on 15-16yrs now
White noise doesn't help! I can put earbuds in and play them LOUD, but the ringing, ringing, ringing passes through it all. Listen, I've already been diagnosed with tinnitus and over the past years since the tinnitus, inability to sleep and nighttime headaches, and frequent stumbles, I've gone from being a "key resource" in the large civilian partnership I work for to being an underperformer; I can't sleep at night because the ringing is all consuming, I can't think clearly during the day as a result, and as I've shared repeatedly with my primary doctor, after I enter in to sleep, I am frequently awakened with throbing headache. I am so tired of the red tape, but I keep trying, because the VA needs to make me whole again. If something doesn't happen soon, the VA can use all that red tape to............... The lack of sleep and constant LOUD ringing has slowly burnt out my personal fire of resiliance and ability to contribute to my family and my work. Tinnitus is a vet killer and it was a hell of a lot easier to enlist than to receive help for this condition.
Wow I just did my migraine claims and was explaining to the nurse I had ringing in my ear. I had no idea that was connected. It's giving me real high hopes of winning my CASE.
I have taken veterans from 10% tinnitus to 100% P&T for FREE... just veteran to veteran advise...Veterans can do their own claims..just do some research on the internet...Never pay for someone to do your claim unless they are accredited by the VA. I am NOT a VSO, just a veteran.
Just curious, if you are 90% p&t with iu, would it behoove me to update my rating with all the new and worsened issues since the p&t rating? Or leave it the heck alone? Thanks
Thank you for the information. I've been stumbling and losing my balance over three times a day. My physician suggested monitoring it, and I will ask them to consider Meniere's disease as a possible cause. I'll keep you updated.
Hey bud, thanks for the information you’ve shared with us veterans. Word of advice from a retired Army instructor and current Government contractor instructor… reverse your screen font and background colors. Make your document screen the same colors as your smart board colors. I.e., dark background with lighter letters is easier to read than the opposite. Was super difficult to read the small font information you had on the screen. Dark background, bright colored letters, and slightly larger font (or zooming in like you did) makes it easier to read. Thanks. Keep the good info coming!!!
Thank you for the hope. What if all the problems started after the service? Oh-58C &58D helicopter mechanic. Desert Storm Veteran. MS diagnose, ringing in right ear and whoosing in left ear, need walking stick for stability, and VA issued me stability shoes.
Sure thing, lots of folks end up winning their claims after delayed onset of symptoms like you have experienced. To keep it simple, presumptive conditions is where you want to look first, then nexus letters for everything else. The nexus letters will be your best friend since it gives the most boost to winning service connection
Jordan helped me go from 0 to 70% with more claims waiting to be submitted. Shooting for 100% P&T! Spend the time and $ now on his materials and classes and it will be 100% worth it!! Recommend highly!
Page 33, you need to change some of the Seabee ratings. I was a CM and loud noise was all over, impacts, diesel engines, generators, trucks, heavy equipment, forklifts, can’t always troubleshoot stuff while it’s not running. I have diagnosed hearing loss and tinnitus rated now. 😏
I just got diagnosed for this and the nurse did a new hearing test that has a camera and sensor that goes into your ear to look at you ear drum when they play noises. Soon as she finished that part of four tests she "YEA YOU HAVE TINNITIS" the test can see it. Got hearing aids also to help quiet the ringing a bit, it does help a bit.
This is great information, thank you for letting us know. I am in the process of updating my disability claim with the VA and have had Tinnitus since my military days and have been receiving 10% disability for years. I initially went in because of my hearing loss, which should be in my medical records from the military. However, they didn't give anything for the hearing loss. At first I thought the 10% was for my hearing loss, and only recently found out it was only for the tinnitus. I started having severe headaches in the late 90's, so maybe it's related. I am presently working with someone from the American Legion who is helping me update my claim, so I'll keep you informed on what happens. Thanks again for this info.
I got 10% for tinitus few years back but denied disability over my hearing loss and I have a letter from my medical exam at time of discharge saying I have hearing loss yet 2 times I have been denied disability even with there recent hearing exam showing I have lost some hearing. The answers I got from VA was I can't have disability for my hearing because that's included in my 10% I get for tinitus.
Thank you for sharing this information, I am in the process of applying for a Tinnitus claim soon, am a combat veteran during the Vietnam war. I am already in the compensation program I would like to ask for your support.
I've been diagnosed with symptoms of Meniere's. I'm service connected for hearing loss and tinnitus. I have been fighting the VA for over 6 years and it still hasn't been approved.
I was rated 10% with tinnitus and secondary 100% with bi-lateral hearing loss. Jet mechanic on board ship-berth was 1 deck below arresting gear. The 100% rating gets me SMC and spousal compensation!
11B infantryman here, I could use your help. I am service connected and need extreme help. I feel lost with the VA. Tired of being treated like crap by these guys, please help.
Thanks for the information, spoke with a ENT Physician about Meneier's Disease and he said it is hard to prove unless a person is dead, but he would do some tests.
I haven’t seen much of any information regarding ratings for Ménière’s disease out there until I stumbled upon this video. I got diagnosed with it during my last couple years in the navy. I do get vertigo attacks, get off balance, experience dizziness attacks, and strangely enough my tinnitus I’ve dealt with for years dramatically got worse in one ear and my hearing dramatically reduced in the same ear. Currently waiting to see my final disposition of my VA claim. Thank you for sharing this info
I filed for secondary claims to tinnitus and told my primary care doctor i needed a Nexus letter with connections to tinnitus for migraines, hypertension, sleep apnea with CPAP prescription, heart attack condition linked to sleep apnea and COPD. The primary care doctor was in agreement until the day the filings were submitted. I was told the primary care doctor was told she could not submit a Nexus letter for the secondary connections. So in the end the secondaries were denied. Now i have hired lawyers refiling secondaries with Nexus letters and C&P exams on Appeal. I hope this will get me to the 100% as the heart condition is considered 100% and is on my medical records and can be connected to my sleep apnea.
I've had 10% tinnitus since the day I got out in 1992. I've tried getting a rating for migranes, sleep apnea, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Denied for everything. I realize now i filed them wrong. I filed as individual disabilities, not secondary to tinnitus. My tinnitus has actually gotten worse and its making everything i was denied for worse too. Ill be refiling everything again, this time as secondary to tinnitus.
same here did 20 years navy aviation and carrier decks been having ringing in my ears since 88 but guess what denied. C&P lady basically said there is no test was gonna go thru all my audiograms and poof denied as usual. getting tinnitus is getting to be total bs. i got the proof i hear it all day and night yet VA says nothing wrong with my hearing.. go figure!!
I was denied twice for migraines. The higher level review was done by nurse practitioner and never contacted me as was requested. So after a little over a year of waiting I get denied. They said not service connected. I asked my VA doctor if he could write a letter and he said was a conflict of interest and couldn't do it.
*Excellent analysis, I have never seen an analysis as well structured as yours. Look, I have been investing in Bitcoin ETFs and other dividend income since 2020, I have a total of 734 thousand dollars, with my 83 thousand I am very grateful for all the knowledge and information you have given me.*
I'm 65 and I just got my 10% Tinnitus rating😂 Had to go HLR to get it because I had a lousy C&P audiologist that ASSUMED I got it from riding my bike(Goldwing, mind you), used power tools, and worked at factories and Aerospace company as maintenance technician WITHOUT having ANY of my MOS or mefical inform!!! Working on my mental claim now, hope I get a better and faster result.
It took me over a year for my tinnitus after a HLR and also the hearing doctors dragging their feet, made me go to the doctor to get my ears clean out first
Right there with you brother. I had 4yrs on the flight line 30 years ago. Also a Goldwing rider and manufacture aerospace. Working on my secondary claims for my 10% Tinnitus condition. Good luck to ya!
Go for insomnia, they rated me at 30% but they only show me 20% for my compensation. I just got this a few days ago. What you want to speak about is that less than 4 hours of sleeping wake me up in the middle of the night. Mood swings throughout the day, it affects your work because you're tired all day. You have difficulty falling asleep because you hear the constant ringing take it far back as basic training for a lack of sleep, but now tinnitus is just making it worse. Talk about how your tired to interact with other people after work, that it affects your social life just like work
@realbada55 Yes, I filed for it once my tinnitus was approved service connected at 10%. I filed insomnia secondary linked to not only my tinnitus but also my service connected knee injuries that send sharp pain and tingling down both legs and throbing knees. Lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep and have to get up and walk at least once per night to stop leg pain to try to get back to sleep.
@@ssconquest I will have to challenge for the 30% since they only gave me 20% compensation. I guess I will have to shoot for 50% to get over 30% compensation. I'm now at 60% but i still have to put in for one more new claim and fight for hearing loss again. I hope you really get the 50%+ for insomnia. Get all that you can.
@@WillHelpsVets its easy to get as secondary to tinnitus. I just got it for 30% but they only gave me 20% for compensation. It was an video call with a Dr. have to stress on how it affects your social and work life. To tired to go hang out with friends, always tired at work and affects it. That's what I said. I will have to fight for that extra 10% and put in other claims. I'm at 60% now. Hearing loss is the hard one. I have 40db loss in one ear and they didnt even rate the other because i forgot to put in for the right one. So until i do that i got 0% , also the words repeat back i will have to miss some one that one next time.
OMG! I could never describe how it feels. It's exactly like phone modems. It takes me forever to get to sleep and it wakes me up. I have a waterfall in my back yard, it masks my tinnitus temporarily. I'm so glad to see this! I thought I was alone
@thomasdrouin8816 for me it's just a constant tone that sometimes gets a little more intense but is always in the background...doesnt squeal or squelching like the old phone modems...Like the waterfall idea though...might help me get some peace...although at a bit of a price in labor and materials
@CPTPlanet85 I just watched another one of ole buddy videos and be said don't do an appeal, submit a supplemental form because the appeal can take 3/4 years.
I have tinnitus and the VA denied my claim. They said the hearing loss was due to the weapons I fired and also being on the flight line and they still denied me. 😡
Marine Band... Testing for potential hearing loss issues technicians came in to a rehearsal hall and measured SPL of the band playing The Marines Hymn. 128dB at the front where the conductor stands. Readings were higher depending on who you were standing in front of. This was a non-deployable band. In the Division Bands... Marines had to wear helmets for some ceremonies. SPL's spiked even higher. Don't let the VA tell you that your hearing loss is NOT service connected.
I got out of the Air Force in July 1970 after two years in VN / / / When I went for a Tinnitus exam I was asked by the examiner when the buzzing started /// I had no idea, as it seems as though that it had always been there, so I just said "1973?" / / / Well, the VA turned me down because they stated that tinnitus had a SUDDEN ONSET and if my tinnitus onset was not 1970 or before, then my tinnitus was not service connected. /// I worked on diesel-electric generators all my service as well as my last year on the flight line with a barrier aircraft arresting system. I suspect the fellows had no idea about the noise level I worked with . . . and the American Legion refused to assist me with filing another claim. I have also suffered from on-again, off-again vertigo. Sucks . . .
I have tinnitus as well as hearing loss. I claimed Both, having records of my hearing decrease each year. After the hearing test for the VA, the tech Asked me, “are your ears ringing right now?” I of course said Yes. That was the end of my test. I Didn’t get a rating for hearing loss but I Did get for tinnitus only 10%.
I got 10% for Tennitus I also have Sleep Apnea, diagnosed at VA Hospital in Salt Lake City. I also have PTSD diagnosed here at the VA clinic here in Idaho Falls . I get C-PAP Machines from the VA Hospital. I need your opinion is Sleep Apnea connected to Tenninitis.
No, but if you have sleep apnea, you should also claim asthma and talk to your primary care provider and ask to be tested. They may just link them together, but if you do have asthma, get an inhaler (even if you don't use it) for a potential higher rating.
I'm 100% all ready before I had surgery regarding my middle ear. I had brain fluid going into my middle ear for years. I couldn't hear good and still talk loudly. Had surgery they drained brain fluid from my skull via my spine. They lifted my brain. Had to rebuild the bone. They installed a titanium plate right above my ear. My balance sucks sometimes. Like I said I'm all ready at 100%.
Looking on pubmed at the diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease, it is considerably more complicated than what this video makes it to be. For example the symptom vertiigo is defined as an attack that lasts between 20 minutes and 12 hours. That's a huge difference then a simple dizzy spell or stumble, which I have along with tinnitus and severe headaches. But I doubt that a ear, nose and throat doctor will diagnose me with Meniere's disease. My MOS was a helicopter mechanic. I constantly worked around running aircraft for 16 years.
It’s usually the effects that come AFTER the vertigo and dizziness attacks that last 20+ minutes to hours. You could come down from the attacks but there could still be lasting, less severe, symptoms of it lingering for awhile. That’s probably what it’s alluding to. That kind of how it happens with me.
Not only do I have vertigo but my tinnitus is so loud I’m losing sleep. I toss and turn constantly! I’ve actually been documenting every time I get up from this issue. May want to rethink my 40% disability as it’s only getting worse.
Get a nexus, more doctor notes with a diagnosis, another personal statement and file a supplemental claim. If they deny you again go for a higher level review.
I have ALL of those! They only gave me TDIU but I'm still rated 90%! Please help me! There's no way the VA treated and diagnosed me with all the above and I'm still only 90!
I've been doing my research on Meniere's disease. I'm reading it cannot be secondary to Tinnitus. Rather tinnitus and vertigo are symptoms. Meaning it must be secondary to service or another rating (like migraines).
I was infantry paratrooper and lost hearing on my right ear causing the removal of the ear drum and now I had a hearing test last year at the VA for my left ear and was told that I lost 75 percent hearing I been using hearing aids for both ears and waking up with ringing and headaches
Filed in 2019 and due to Covid all my appointments were cancelled.. really took the wind out of my sa8ls as the VA said it was my fault. Just filed for tinnitus again to get the door open. I have been filing since ETS in 2002. Really pray they finally find my Service Connected Disability and rate me.
I have been service connected to tinnitus and have started a secondary claim for migraines. I didn’t know about meniers disease but I think I suffer from this. I had attributed those symptoms with the on set of diabetes. I have dizzying spells occasionally and feel a staggering effect when those spells come on. I will definitely look into this and file a new claim for it👍🏽
I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's, and though Guam was recently one of the areas recognied as being automatically considered to be exposed to Agent Orange if you worked in an area like I did (the flightline). I was already rated at ninety percent, though for decades I had to pay all disease related expenses (diabetes, hypothyroidism, muscular skeletal disease, etc.) out of pocket. I am going for one hundred percent as I type. I am sure I will get it. I also have had tinitus for decades. I do not even notice it anymore, unless I allow myself to hear it - then it is bothersome. I have vertigo, but I do not know if it is tinitus, or Parkinson's. I also have headaches. I sure wish I'd never signed the dotted line.
M-14 and 105mm howitzer with faulty ear plugs, that should get you some cash. I was around generators, CH-46, M-14, 105mm Howitzer my Marine Corps career.
i was a jet mechanic on f-4's in the 70's. mentioned all of these symptoms to the v.a. several times just to be ignored and told no service rating. headaches, tinnitus, vertigo. so where do i start? with a private dr. i assume because the v.a. denies EVERYTHING/ANYTHING, unless it's something they absolutely cannot deny like walking in the door carrying a severed limb.
Sparky I would begin by opening and intent to file and then: 1: Getting updated treatment on whatever conditions you intend to claim 2. Sourcing a Nexus letter for each condition you intend to claim 3. Write a brief personal statement for each condition you are claiming. Then you’re good to file
A great video to help other desperate veterans. I have been rated 10% for Tinnitus. This rating is only part of my total rating which is, and has been for several years, 100%. You provide encouragement for veterans who are overwhelmed with the VA system and process. Outstanding and verified points you made. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and providing lots of hope for those in need. Blessings to you.
I need help. I got out 36 years ago. My MOS was around loud high noise generators. I got out didn’t know I had a number of conditions I now have. I was rated 10% for an injury in my left knee, which, I did not know I could seek a higher rating until 5 months ago. I have had vertigo for the last 2 years. I’m married and have a 17 year old son. My two other sons are now adults, but were born after I got out of the Army.
I am currently rated at 80% but IU... I want to get to a regular 100% so I can attempt to go back to work but keep my 100% benefits! I have Tinnitus and have been diagnosed with it I have also been diagnosed with vertigo in the past but it has since gone nearly all the way away! I do stumble frequently. I was an 0844 in the Marine Corps with a secondary MOS of Generator Operator! Hell I even instructed the class in my battalion on generator operation! When I got out the of Marines I went into the CAANG and was a Generator Mechanic 91D and a 63B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. I currently wear hearing aids! I need help getting to a regular 100% status.. I served from 1995-2003..
I’m always nervous about messing with my rating. I’m at a total of 90% for my knees, back, and tinnitus. I see re-exams as an opportunity to lose what I have. I’m in my early 50s now and feel like I am better off not saying anything to increase my rating for fear of decreasing it instead.
I don’t see 31C…. My husband was on the job working on internal coms in a tank and when he was getting out, there was a live fire exercise that took place.. needless to say he was dead for several hours.
I was in the Navy. I see connection between drinking and showering in jet fuel can cause seiures. Also when in the ship yard we use to sand and grind and paint red lead paint. Any link for that to anything?
I've had vertigo. It's awful. And it can be debilitating. You feel like you are floatingin the air and spinning rapidly in three dimensions while falling. You can fall over. Puke. You can become terrified as if you are falling rapidly. It's similar to ou5 of body experiences mixed with a bad trip.
I've got 10% for tinnitus, and have experienced a lot of dizziness over the last couple years... BUT it's damn hard to get a diagnosis for Meneire's disease. I do experience staggering, but here's the rub. I don't have a diagnosis, and have been pursuing a diagnosis for over 16 months. Had to go through: 1) Cardiology - they wanted to rule out cardio vascular / circulatory issues as dizzyness/staggering primarily occurs when walking or during activities 2) VA ENT - hearing loss (mine is intermittent) - but hearing loss is considered "within limits" and not granted. 3) Referred to Care in Community (CIC) for Neurology - MRI and neurology testing was "unremarkable" - good I guess? 4) Referred to Care In Community for Vestibular testing - "within limits / unremarkable" 5) Back to VA Primary to request further neurology / vestibular testing. So far, almost 1.5 years in and no diagnosis.
@davidRachfordFitness- Just wanted to chime in and provide a little assistance/knowledge for your claim for Meniere's Disease. As you can see it is difficult to diagnose the disease. Meniere's disease is generally considered a distinct inner ear disorder that causes a specific set of symptoms, rather than being a cause (secondary) of another condition like tinnitus or vertigo. Moreover, the exact etiology (root cause) remains unclear, which is why it's often described as idiopathic (of unknown cause). The following are criteria's for diagnosing Meniere's disease: 1. Two episodes of vertigo, each lasting 20 minutes or longer but not longer than 12 hours within a 24 hour period. 2. Hearing loss verified by a hearing test 3. Tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ear 4. Exclusion of other known causes of these complications Now for diagnosing Meniere's disease it primarily involves audiometric testing in which you went through with your specialists ie, speech discrimination test that evaluates your ability to distinguish words in addition to a Pure-tone test that assesses hearing at various frequencies and volumes. These tests help identify hearing loss and vestibular issues characteristic of Meniere's disease. While additional vestibular tests may be conducted, these audiometric exams are crucial for establishing a diagnosis. Which looks like your doctors/specialists were ruling out. Hope this helps. Take it with a grain of salt. p.s -Now , I'm not a doctor, I'm just one that has been studying the VA processes and ratings over the last several years in hopes to assist my fellow brothers and sisters veterans and their family members to have the knowledge to assist their path in their claims journey.
I've had a ringing in my ear for over 2 years , had an audio exam through my personal physician... While in the military, I worked as an O5C, later 31D, Communications Specialist and Supervisor... definitely need help... Thanks
I'm almost 55, MOS of 82c, I've had Tinnitus for 25+ years, for some reason I never made connection to military service. I'm not sure where to start but I feel I should at least try to get some VA help, I've also had sleep problems for about the same time.
Oh shit, I didnt even think about migraines/headaches. I am going for a CT scan of my head on the 31st because of my headaches, I already have the tinnitus rating. I need my appeals to finish up, so I can go ahead and claim headaches.
An informative video. Appreciate the details, however, you should caution your viewers that being diagnosed with either vertigo or Ménière's disease may result in driving restrictions... especially Ménière's disease. The juice may not be worth the squeeze to some. Absolutely get treated for ALL service related injuries/exposures, etc. but be aware that the rating(s) come with sacrifices and limitations. Thanks for the video.
I have the Tinitus claim locked in, but am working on a menieres secondary to Tinitus. Am currently doing physical therapy for it and have an ENT appointment to try and get thing situated.
I have service connection for Tinnitus and the classic: full pressure feeling in one ear, vertigo, stumbling, hearing loss) and getting a diagnosis for Meniere's is proving so hard... the ENT specialist just tried putting a balloon in my ear which did nothing.
I tried to do Tinnitus and also headaches. I did a ear test and spoke with a person about my headaches she was really cool. I got the letter back that they denied me. Ima assume because I got out in 2017 and tried this year 2024. I was Infantry in a heavy weapons unit with 1 tour to Afghanistan. On my paper it did say something about me being exposed to something but doesn't say what. Edit: I already have 70% (40% for my back and 50% PTSD)
You probably should've did tinnitus by itself...get approved and then tried for headaches. I applied for tinnitus Sept 25th this year...was approved 10% Oct 15th....I got out the military in 1997. Try again just for tinnitus....good luck.
Try getting the Tinnitus Service Connected first. And then once that's SC, make the migraines secondary to Tinnitus. Also, make sure you write a personal statement and submit that with both of your claims. A Nexus Letter or IMO will be needed for the migraines. For the Tinnitus, make sure in your personal statement the job you did and how the ringing in your ears started after shooting the heavy weapons.
Meniere's is rated on its own. The VA rates Meniere's disease under diagnostic code 6205. However, a key point is that you need an official diagnosis to claim this condition. Without a diagnosis, it's challenging to pursue a claim specifically for Meniere's disease. Are you trying to file Meniere's as a secondary to tinnitus?
I currently have 10% tinnitus rating - I also am completely deaf in left ear from an acoustic neuroma (on my hearing nerve-removed via craniotomy) the VA determined the tumor was not service connected therefore the hearing loss is not rated only the tinnitus … I would love to get your help and start a new claim. I also have PTSD & MST & depression w/anxiety d/o diagnoses from last claim but they are not rated. There’s more but I would love your help filing a new claim! 🙏🏽😩
sorry not the answer you may want but it will take however long it takes with fight, proper documentation, learning the process and faith and patience.
Want my help with your VA Claim?
👉 Get instant access to VA Claims Academy here:
vaclaims-academy.com
✅ FREE Nexus Letters: www.freenexusletters.com
I need your help with a claim, I don’t know how to get started. 2:10
I definitely need your assistance
I could use your assistance I'm already 100% P&T. However I did not know anything about the stumbling issue desire I'm in a scooter now because of falls and more.
I filed my paperwork with a DAV representative last week and I'm currently waiting for it to hit the system. I had written on there that I had Vertigo at times; however, having you talk about Meniere's Disease and reading up about it by myself made me realize that this might be what I have. I need to go to the AMCC tomorrow, so I'm about to look into it.
Yes, please 😮
I have tinnitus which began while In was in the service as a cannon artillery officer. It am in my 70s and it has gotten so bad I can’t get to sleep until past midnight and the hissing in my ears wakes me up around 0500. I identified the frequencies and amplitude of the tinnitus in each each with the use of two tone generator apps on my phone. My right ear is in the 5300 Hz range and left ear is lower around 4800. Occasionally Inget a very low humming tone. I measured my tinnitus at around 90 Db. When I’m vacuuming the kitchen floor with a Dysen V10 I can still hear the tinnitus over the roar of the vacuum, which is 92 Db. It is a condition the VA is ignoring so thank you for presenting this video.
God bless you- I hope you will go get your rating!! The VA has kept the money for this from you- greedy beaurocrats!
How do you measure it? I was told that there is not a way to measure tinnitus.
Have you done a hearing test with VA or Civilian doctor? Have you filed your claim for Tinnitus? Have they sent your for a C&P exam for Tinnitus? Request your full military service record and medical records. If you were in a military hospital, those records are separate from your personal medical records request them by the hospital name.
Tell your doctor about hearing loss and tones. Get a hearing test done. Since you hear tones all the time click when you hear tones, when in doubt, click. File a claim if you haven't already or an appeal if you have. Include a personal statement of how it affects your life. If you have a wife or close friend you spend time with have them write a statement of how you complain or react when the tone changes like mine does (I flinch and stop what I am doing when the tone or volume changes). Tell them you were in Artillery, Include copy your DD-214 and military service records showing where you served and types of commands.
When they schedule you for a C&P exam, go to it. Tell the examiner everything about tones, vacuum, military artillery, and how tinnitus affects your daily life. Examiner will probably give you another hearing test. Click when you hear tones, when in doubt, click.
Good luck.
If you are granted Tinnitus disability look at all the TH-cam videos on secondary claims related to tinnitus and get diagnosed before filing for any that are pertinent to you.
I have tim ,, hurt in the navy,, tbi,, that made me want to stab my ears out , really and I was told even if you stab your ear drums out u will still get the high pitch ringing ,,, I'm Christian, but many times the ringing bothers me , especially in a quite room at night it's impossible to sleep 😢
Tendonitis actually has nothing to do with hearing loss. You could have perfect hearing
My strategy of dropping a diagnosed secondary condition with a good lay statement (and NO Nexus letter) has worked so far. Initially, the VSO did the shotgun approach. I wrote a lay statement for each condition as I got educated. The last lay statement I did was two or three days after the C&P exam. Took about 18 months from the day I dropped the claim to receiving a very positive decision letter. Very positive outcome
I have hard time believing that i had 2 nexus letters and DBQ's from private doctors a buddy letter and a letter from my wife with supporting documents and my own letter and my treatment records from my own doctors. This not strange some of my comments has been deleted. Must be true
@@chrisb6823 I did same as you and got denied. Getting tried of these vids all over youtube making it sound so easy to get claims.
Just curious
How they processed your claim if you dropped it?
@@billisback46means the day he submitted the claim.
Holy crap!
I had never heard of Ménière’s disease until I just watched this video, and I have it on a daily basis.
It’s been pointed out to me by several people, and I just wrote it off as vertigo and arthritis in my hips and knees, and didn’t realize it was coming from the way you described it.
I’m going to have to make an appointment with my doctor and get this diagnosed ASAP.
THANK YOU!!!
Wow, right video, right time!! And to have that on a daily basis must feel awful, I hope they can do something for that
@@vaclaimsacademy
Yes, it does suck and it does affect my quality of life A LOT.
I want to thank you for your videos, they are very informative, but even as important as that is to me, they are short and sweet and don’t drone on and on and on.
With my PTSD and TBI, I lose focus quickly, but I also snap to frustration and even anger and sometimes yell at some videos from others “in the name of God get on with it and get to the point!”
I never have to do that with your videos and I thank you for it.
With information gained from your videos, I recently received 10% for vertigo and 50% for migraines added to my previous tinnitus. I am now at 60%.
Same. I'm calling my primary.
Certainly wish you the best. Get treated by all means. Please realize that vertigo and Ménière's disease will impact your ability to drive and may lead to restrictions. Put your health first, and also ensure safety. Good luck.
@@danielvelez6150 thats also good to know. The VA rating systems feels like walking a mine field
WOW, just wow!!! I already have my 10% tinnitus rating. About a year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Menier's disease by a civilian ENT. I'm currently sitting at 60% service-connected, however I just completed a C&P exam for orthopedics (which I was informed are all presumptive due to my time as a paratrooper). If the ortho stuff doesn't bump me to 100%, I will definitely be filing the Menier's secondary to tinnitus!!! Appreciate the knowledge you are sharing... I just stumbled onto your channel on my commute this morning! Subscribing now!
Wow, right video right time. Those are some great options there for maximizing your rating potential. Thanks Gene!
What type did you claim as a paratrooper? I wanna get on those presumtives.
@@vernonhuffman2311 ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, shoulders etc.
@@vernonhuffman2311 As a paratrooper you may have bilateral knee pain; bilateral hip; lower back issues, etc. I actually have a deviated septum from slamming into a tree. Hope this helps..
@@ronaldyoung6187 yikes, damn trees….paratrooping is bad for your bones
Hey Jordon. Happy New Year's. I took your advice. I'm 100% P&T NOW. IM 70 % FOR PTSD. I FILED INSOMNIA SECONDARY TO MY CRONIC TINNITUS. THEY GRANTED ME 100% FOR PTSD AND GRANTED ME SMC-S ALSO.
Woooooow.....i found out that I have vertigo just from watching this video. I didn't know what my problem was and I definitely didn't think that it had to do with my tinnitus. Thank you so much for this!
I can't believe I just saw this, served for over four years on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) from 1989 to 1994, including deployments during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While working on the flight deck, I worked 56,000 mission sorties on the LSO platform as well as the flight deck, facing extreme noise exposure and sustaining multiple falls. Over the years, I’ve developed severe knee pain and resulting injury, difficulty walking, and chronic pain also ringing in my ears and focusing problems, among other health issues. Additionally, I struggled with alcohol abuse for many years but am now sober. As my symptoms have worsened, I believe it’s time to seek support through a disability claim, and I would appreciate guidance on how to proceed.
Yeah right
Go to your local VFW or American Legion and set up a meeting with a representative to help you get started. In the mean time request your service records (form SF-180) , dd-214 if you don't already have it in your possession, and your medical records, including request to any and all medical hospitals if you have been hospitalized while serving. All those are on the SF-180 but you need to name each hospital where you were hospitalized as those records are separate from your personal medical records/.
Get the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) to help you file a claim. It will cost you $100 which is a lifetime membership in the DAV. You can find your nearest chapter by doing a Google search.
Brother thanks for your videos I had conditions that I didn't know their names but thanks to you I was able to file every single condition, I didn't need help from no one and got 100 pt thanks!
Hell yeah Andres, way to get after it! Doesn’t get better than that
Tinnitus is a nightmare that I can never wake up from. Sometimes buzzing, sometimes a beeping, sometimes seems like people talking in the background. It drives me crazy! If I could afford it, I'd PAY $4000 a month to rid myself of it.
Me too . But I have zero as of right now
I have found certain frequencies in ambient music helps to even the sounds out somewhat. Its the only way i can sleep
I am so sorry- now go get your rating!
Bro ikr!! It sometimes once or twice a week get woken from it mid sleep. Usually that’s just the high pitched ringing that wakes me. But I’ve also had that bumblebee noise randomly about once a week. Going on 15-16yrs now
White noise doesn't help! I can put earbuds in and play them LOUD, but the ringing, ringing, ringing passes through it all. Listen, I've already been diagnosed with tinnitus and over the past years since the tinnitus, inability to sleep and nighttime headaches, and frequent stumbles, I've gone from being a "key resource" in the large civilian partnership I work for to being an underperformer; I can't sleep at night because the ringing is all consuming, I can't think clearly during the day as a result, and as I've shared repeatedly with my primary doctor, after I enter in to sleep, I am frequently awakened with throbing headache. I am so tired of the red tape, but I keep trying, because the VA needs to make me whole again. If something doesn't happen soon, the VA can use all that red tape to............... The lack of sleep and constant LOUD ringing has slowly burnt out my personal fire of resiliance and ability to contribute to my family and my work. Tinnitus is a vet killer and it was a hell of a lot easier to enlist than to receive help for this condition.
Wow I just did my migraine claims and was explaining to the nurse I had ringing in my ear. I had no idea that was connected. It's giving me real high hopes of winning my CASE.
I have taken veterans from 10% tinnitus to 100% P&T for FREE... just veteran to veteran advise...Veterans can do their own claims..just do some research on the internet...Never pay for someone to do your claim unless they are accredited by the VA. I am NOT a VSO, just a veteran.
@tommarinevet I may need your assistance.
Just curious, if you are 90% p&t with iu, would it behoove me to update my rating with all the new and worsened issues since the p&t rating? Or leave it the heck alone? Thanks
I need help with that also.
Can you help me, please??
Since IU isn’t permanent then I would say if you have documentation to back up your conditions worsening which would be an increase. Then I would.
Thank you for the information. I've been stumbling and losing my balance over three times a day. My physician suggested monitoring it, and I will ask them to consider Meniere's disease as a possible cause. I'll keep you updated.
Hey bud, thanks for the information you’ve shared with us veterans. Word of advice from a retired Army instructor and current Government contractor instructor… reverse your screen font and background colors.
Make your document screen the same colors as your smart board colors. I.e., dark background with lighter letters is easier to read than the opposite. Was super difficult to read the small font information you had on the screen.
Dark background, bright colored letters, and slightly larger font (or zooming in like you did) makes it easier to read.
Thanks. Keep the good info coming!!!
Thank you for the updated info. You are correct, we have many injuries that we don't necessarily report. Good info.
And it seems a lot we are unable to identify as the issue without someone providing this information
Thank you for the hope. What if all the problems started after the service? Oh-58C &58D helicopter mechanic. Desert Storm Veteran. MS diagnose, ringing in right ear and whoosing in left ear, need walking stick for stability, and VA issued me stability shoes.
Sure thing, lots of folks end up winning their claims after delayed onset of symptoms like you have experienced. To keep it simple, presumptive conditions is where you want to look first, then nexus letters for everything else. The nexus letters will be your best friend since it gives the most boost to winning service connection
Jordan helped me go from 0 to 70% with more claims waiting to be submitted. Shooting for 100% P&T! Spend the time and $ now on his materials and classes and it will be 100% worth it!! Recommend highly!
Page 33, you need to change some of the Seabee ratings. I was a CM and loud noise was all over, impacts, diesel engines, generators, trucks, heavy equipment, forklifts, can’t always troubleshoot stuff while it’s not running. I have diagnosed hearing loss and tinnitus rated now. 😏
That put me over the top, Meniere's disease. Everything you said about is what I'm experiencing. Thanks for the information.
I just got diagnosed for this and the nurse did a new hearing test that has a camera and sensor that goes into your ear to look at you ear drum when they play noises. Soon as she finished that part of four tests she "YEA YOU HAVE TINNITIS" the test can see it. Got hearing aids also to help quiet the ringing a bit, it does help a bit.
This is great information, thank you for letting us know. I am in the process of updating my disability claim with the VA and have had Tinnitus since my military days and have been receiving 10% disability for years. I initially went in because of my hearing loss, which should be in my medical records from the military. However, they didn't give anything for the hearing loss. At first I thought the 10% was for my hearing loss, and only recently found out it was only for the tinnitus. I started having severe headaches in the late 90's, so maybe it's related. I am presently working with someone from the American Legion who is helping me update my claim, so I'll keep you informed on what happens. Thanks again for this info.
I got 10% for tinitus few years back but denied disability over my hearing loss and I have a letter from my medical exam at time of discharge saying I have hearing loss yet 2 times I have been denied disability even with there recent hearing exam showing I have lost some hearing. The answers I got from VA was I can't have disability for my hearing because that's included in my 10% I get for tinitus.
Thank you for sharing this information, I am in the process of applying for a Tinnitus claim soon, am a combat veteran during the Vietnam war. I am already in the compensation program I would like to ask for your support.
I've been diagnosed with symptoms of Meniere's. I'm service connected for hearing loss and tinnitus. I have been fighting the VA for over 6 years and it still hasn't been approved.
I am 10% tinnitus and 30% insomnia. I was denied for my Meniers disease just last week.
Should I do a supplemental claim and add a personal letter or should I start a new claim and add hearing loss, migraines, and vertigo?
I've been denied 4 times for tinnitus. The problem is that I really do have it. Lay staments, construction Mos, repeated claims, and constant denials!
Thank you so much for the information. I was discharged in '89 but just recieved my rating last Nov. now its time to catch up.
I'm waiting on my rating I was medical retired in 1989
I was rated 10% with tinnitus and secondary 100% with bi-lateral hearing loss. Jet mechanic on board ship-berth was 1 deck below arresting gear.
The 100% rating gets me SMC and spousal compensation!
11B infantryman here, I could use your help. I am service connected and need extreme help. I feel lost with the VA. Tired of being treated like crap by these guys, please help.
Thank you so much Jordan, great info as always
Thanks Billy, I hope you’re in good health
Thanks for the information, spoke with a ENT Physician about Meneier's Disease and he said it is hard to prove unless a person is dead, but he would do some tests.
I haven’t seen much of any information regarding ratings for Ménière’s disease out there until I stumbled upon this video. I got diagnosed with it during my last couple years in the navy. I do get vertigo attacks, get off balance, experience dizziness attacks, and strangely enough my tinnitus I’ve dealt with for years dramatically got worse in one ear and my hearing dramatically reduced in the same ear. Currently waiting to see my final disposition of my VA claim. Thank you for sharing this info
I filed for secondary claims to tinnitus and told my primary care doctor i needed a Nexus letter with connections to tinnitus for migraines, hypertension, sleep apnea with CPAP prescription, heart attack condition linked to sleep apnea and COPD. The primary care doctor was in agreement until the day the filings were submitted. I was told the primary care doctor was told she could not submit a Nexus letter for the secondary connections. So in the end the secondaries were denied. Now i have hired lawyers refiling secondaries with Nexus letters and C&P exams on Appeal. I hope this will get me to the 100% as the heart condition is considered 100% and is on my medical records and can be connected to my sleep apnea.
I've had 10% tinnitus since the day I got out in 1992. I've tried getting a rating for migranes, sleep apnea, insomnia, anxiety and depression. Denied for everything. I realize now i filed them wrong. I filed as individual disabilities, not secondary to tinnitus. My tinnitus has actually gotten worse and its making everything i was denied for worse too. Ill be refiling everything again, this time as secondary to tinnitus.
I did the same as you and denied. I then went back as secondary nd hve been denied going on 3 yrs now appeal pending.
same here did 20 years navy aviation and carrier decks been having ringing in my ears since 88 but guess what denied. C&P lady basically said there is no test was gonna go thru all my audiograms and poof denied as usual. getting tinnitus is getting to be total bs. i got the proof i hear it all day and night yet VA says nothing wrong with my hearing.. go figure!!
Your chances of getting Sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus is extremely slim . Sleep apnea is one of the hardest secondary conditions to get .
@@David-cv3bp because it is not caused by any of these issues. There is no nexus.
@@Independentthinker-d5q again there is no nexus between the two, so yeah .. no.
These nuggets are 🔥🔥🔥🔥!!! Thank you so much for sharing this information!😊 I’m planning to attack my next claim very soon using this information.
this video is true! i was rated at 10% for tinnitus. 100% now. tinnitus can be connected to a lot of other disabilities
🫡 Woop! Way to get after it Don
I was denied twice for migraines. The higher level review was done by nurse practitioner and never contacted me as was requested. So after a little over a year of waiting I get denied. They said not service connected. I asked my VA doctor if he could write a letter and he said was a conflict of interest and couldn't do it.
*Excellent analysis, I have never seen an analysis as well structured as yours. Look, I have been investing in Bitcoin ETFs and other dividend income since 2020, I have a total of 734 thousand dollars, with my 83 thousand I am very grateful for all the knowledge and information you have given me.*
6 months, $17k invested and almost there too!!
Next year, I'll reach $185k.
I'm 37 and have been looking for ways to be successful, please how???
Sure, the investment-advisor that guides me is.. Mary Elizabeth
How did you do this please? I am new to investing in cryptocurrencies, can you please guide me on how to do this?
It is advisable to seek professional guidance when creating a solid financial portfolio due to its complexity.
I'm 65 and I just got my 10% Tinnitus rating😂
Had to go HLR to get it because I had a lousy C&P audiologist that ASSUMED I got it from riding my bike(Goldwing, mind you), used power tools, and worked at factories and Aerospace company as maintenance technician WITHOUT having ANY of my MOS or mefical inform!!!
Working on my mental claim now, hope I get a better and faster result.
It took me over a year for my tinnitus after a HLR and also the hearing doctors dragging their feet, made me go to the doctor to get my ears clean out first
Right there with you brother. I had 4yrs on the flight line 30 years ago. Also a Goldwing rider and manufacture aerospace. Working on my secondary claims for my 10% Tinnitus condition. Good luck to ya!
Got my tinnitus rating of 10% approved, no increase in compensation, but more importantly, i can finally get my insomnia claim connected.
Go for insomnia, they rated me at 30% but they only show me 20% for my compensation. I just got this a few days ago. What you want to speak about is that less than 4 hours of sleeping wake me up in the middle of the night. Mood swings throughout the day, it affects your work because you're tired all day. You have difficulty falling asleep because you hear the constant ringing take it far back as basic training for a lack of sleep, but now tinnitus is just making it worse. Talk about how your tired to interact with other people after work, that it affects your social life just like work
@realbada55 Yes, I filed for it once my tinnitus was approved service connected at 10%. I filed insomnia secondary linked to not only my tinnitus but also my service connected knee injuries that send sharp pain and tingling down both legs and throbing knees. Lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep and have to get up and walk at least once per night to stop leg pain to try to get back to sleep.
@@ssconquest I will have to challenge for the 30% since they only gave me 20% compensation. I guess I will have to shoot for 50% to get over 30% compensation. I'm now at 60% but i still have to put in for one more new claim and fight for hearing loss again. I hope you really get the 50%+ for insomnia. Get all that you can.
Insomnia is now very hard to get. Good luck going it alone.
@@WillHelpsVets its easy to get as secondary to tinnitus. I just got it for 30% but they only gave me 20% for compensation. It was an video call with a Dr. have to stress on how it affects your social and work life. To tired to go hang out with friends, always tired at work and affects it. That's what I said. I will have to fight for that extra 10% and put in other claims. I'm at 60% now. Hearing loss is the hard one. I have 40db loss in one ear and they didnt even rate the other because i forgot to put in for the right one. So until i do that i got 0% , also the words repeat back i will have to miss some one that one next time.
C-130s C-141s and C-5s . . . . Some times my tinnitus sounds like a room full of old phone modems !!!!
Same!
Hahaha...former KC-130 mechanic here...definitely feel you on it...constant buzz...
OMG! I could never describe how it feels. It's exactly like phone modems. It takes me forever to get to sleep and it wakes me up. I have a waterfall in my back yard, it masks my tinnitus temporarily. I'm so glad to see this! I thought I was alone
@thomasdrouin8816 for me it's just a constant tone that sometimes gets a little more intense but is always in the background...doesnt squeal or squelching like the old phone modems...Like the waterfall idea though...might help me get some peace...although at a bit of a price in labor and materials
How do you obtain a nexis letter generated?
I’m at 80% right now and am connected to tinnitus at 10%, and currently being treated for depression. I also have some dizziness or vertigo sometimes.
You may have Meniere's disease... have it checked out by an ENT.
@@dwain415 I am having the VA check me for Meniers disease.
Same. I had 6 claims deferred. I'm appealing a few of mine that I got 0 % for because I have a ton of documentation for those conditions.
@@CynOfficial36 In the same boat over here
@CPTPlanet85 I just watched another one of ole buddy videos and be said don't do an appeal, submit a supplemental form because the appeal can take 3/4 years.
I worked very closely to jet aircraft in the fire dept in the mil..Hearing aids are between 3 and 5 thousand dollars
I have tinnitus and the VA denied my claim. They said the hearing loss was due to the weapons I fired and also being on the flight line and they still denied me. 😡
Marine Band... Testing for potential hearing loss issues technicians came in to a rehearsal hall and measured SPL of the band playing The Marines Hymn. 128dB at the front where the conductor stands. Readings were higher depending on who you were standing in front of. This was a non-deployable band. In the Division Bands... Marines had to wear helmets for some ceremonies. SPL's spiked even higher. Don't let the VA tell you that your hearing loss is NOT service connected.
I got out of the Air Force in July 1970 after two years in VN / / / When I went for a Tinnitus exam I was asked by the examiner when the buzzing started /// I had no idea, as it seems as though that it had always been there, so I just said "1973?" / / / Well, the VA turned me down because they stated that tinnitus had a SUDDEN ONSET and if my tinnitus onset was not 1970 or before, then my tinnitus was not service connected. /// I worked on diesel-electric generators all my service as well as my last year on the flight line with a barrier aircraft arresting system. I suspect the fellows had no idea about the noise level I worked with . . . and the American Legion refused to assist me with filing another claim. I have also suffered from on-again, off-again vertigo. Sucks . . .
I have tinnitus as well as hearing loss. I claimed Both, having records of my hearing decrease each year. After the hearing test for the VA, the tech Asked me, “are your ears ringing right now?” I of course said Yes. That was the end of my test. I Didn’t get a rating for hearing loss but I Did get for tinnitus only 10%.
I got 10% for Tennitus I also have Sleep Apnea, diagnosed at VA Hospital in Salt Lake City. I also have PTSD diagnosed here at the VA clinic here in Idaho Falls . I get C-PAP Machines from the VA Hospital. I need your opinion is Sleep Apnea connected to Tenninitis.
No, but if you have sleep apnea, you should also claim asthma and talk to your primary care provider and ask to be tested. They may just link them together, but if you do have asthma, get an inhaler (even if you don't use it) for a potential higher rating.
Also, sleep apnea diagnosis from the VA is also 50%
I'm 100% all ready before I had surgery regarding my middle ear. I had brain fluid going into my middle ear for years. I couldn't hear good and still talk loudly. Had surgery they drained brain fluid from my skull via my spine. They lifted my brain. Had to rebuild the bone. They installed a titanium plate right above my ear. My balance sucks sometimes. Like I said I'm all ready at 100%.
Looking on pubmed at the diagnostic criteria for Meniere's disease, it is considerably more complicated than what this video makes it to be. For example the symptom vertiigo is defined as an attack that lasts between 20 minutes and 12 hours. That's a huge difference then a simple dizzy spell or stumble, which I have along with tinnitus and severe headaches. But I doubt that a ear, nose and throat doctor will diagnose me with Meniere's disease. My MOS was a helicopter mechanic. I constantly worked around running aircraft for 16 years.
It’s usually the effects that come AFTER the vertigo and dizziness attacks that last 20+ minutes to hours. You could come down from the attacks but there could still be lasting, less severe, symptoms of it lingering for awhile. That’s probably what it’s alluding to. That kind of how it happens with me.
Do we do it all at once or one at a time?
Not only do I have vertigo but my tinnitus is so loud I’m losing sleep. I toss and turn constantly! I’ve actually been documenting every time I get up from this issue. May want to rethink my 40% disability as it’s only getting worse.
Tinnitus is hell. The ringing shows up whenever.
They denied my claim based on the test and after I explained all my loud noise exposures while on the ship
Get a nexus, more doctor notes with a diagnosis, another personal statement and file a supplemental claim. If they deny you again go for a higher level review.
I have ALL of those! They only gave me TDIU but I'm still rated 90%! Please help me! There's no way the VA treated and diagnosed me with all the above and I'm still only 90!
I've been doing my research on Meniere's disease. I'm reading it cannot be secondary to Tinnitus. Rather tinnitus and vertigo are symptoms. Meaning it must be secondary to service or another rating (like migraines).
Good stuff 💯 thanks for the info
I was infantry paratrooper and lost hearing on my right ear causing the removal of the ear drum and now I had a hearing test last year at the VA for my left ear and was told that I lost 75 percent hearing I been using hearing aids for both ears and waking up with ringing and headaches
Filed in 2019 and due to Covid all my appointments were cancelled.. really took the wind out of my sa8ls as the VA said it was my fault. Just filed for tinnitus again to get the door open. I have been filing since ETS in 2002. Really pray they finally find my Service Connected Disability and rate me.
I've had 2 head injuries and now have severe tinnitus..got denied twice😢
Your videos are a serendipitous find as I was ignorant to the benefits you listed. Thank you do very much.
Glad to hear it Omar!
How much of a rating does serendipitous get?
Where did he get the 4100 dollars on the thumbnail???
I have been service connected to tinnitus and have started a secondary claim for migraines. I didn’t know about meniers disease but I think I suffer from this.
I had attributed those symptoms with the on set of diabetes. I have dizzying spells occasionally and feel a staggering effect when those spells come on.
I will definitely look into this and file a new claim for it👍🏽
Great video and love your presentation screen
Thank you!
I have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's, and though Guam was recently one of the areas recognied as being automatically considered to be exposed to Agent Orange if you worked in an area like I did (the flightline). I was already rated at ninety percent, though for decades I had to pay all disease related expenses (diabetes, hypothyroidism, muscular skeletal disease, etc.) out of pocket. I am going for one hundred percent as I type. I am sure I will get it. I also have had tinitus for decades. I do not even notice it anymore, unless I allow myself to hear it - then it is bothersome. I have vertigo, but I do not know if it is tinitus, or Parkinson's. I also have headaches. I sure wish I'd never signed the dotted line.
M-14 and 105mm howitzer with faulty ear plugs, that should get you some cash. I was around generators, CH-46, M-14, 105mm Howitzer my Marine Corps career.
i was a jet mechanic on f-4's in the 70's. mentioned all of these symptoms to the v.a. several times just to be ignored and told no service rating. headaches, tinnitus, vertigo. so where do i start? with a private dr. i assume because the v.a. denies EVERYTHING/ANYTHING, unless it's something they absolutely cannot deny like walking in the door carrying a severed limb.
Sparky I would begin by opening and intent to file and then:
1: Getting updated treatment on whatever conditions you intend to claim
2. Sourcing a Nexus letter for each condition you intend to claim
3. Write a brief personal statement for each condition you are claiming.
Then you’re good to file
I was diagnosed with miners disease while in the service. Filed claim when I got out and all they gave me was 10 for tinnitus
Thank you for this video it was very informational
My problem is always getting a diagnosis and nexus letter. I do healthcare through the VA and my PCP said she can't do them. only a diagnosis.
I had a VA tinnitus test a few years ago for my ears being damaged in Vietnam when qualifying on fully auto M16 and was denied.
How do you prove Miniere's Disease?
A great video to help other desperate veterans. I have been rated 10% for Tinnitus. This rating is only part of my total rating which is, and has been for several years, 100%. You provide encouragement for veterans who are overwhelmed with the VA system and process. Outstanding and verified points you made. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and providing lots of hope for those in need. Blessings to you.
Me to but 10 percent is the highest they give you for it
I need help. I got out 36 years ago. My MOS was around loud high noise generators. I got out didn’t know I had a number of conditions I now have.
I was rated 10% for an injury in my left knee, which, I did not know I could seek a higher rating until 5 months ago.
I have had vertigo for the last 2 years. I’m married and have a 17 year old son. My two other sons are now adults, but were born after I got out of the Army.
How to get a nexus letter and what do they include?
I am currently rated at 80% but IU... I want to get to a regular 100% so I can attempt to go back to work but keep my 100% benefits! I have Tinnitus and have been diagnosed with it I have also been diagnosed with vertigo in the past but it has since gone nearly all the way away! I do stumble frequently. I was an 0844 in the Marine Corps with a secondary MOS of Generator Operator! Hell I even instructed the class in my battalion on generator operation! When I got out the of Marines I went into the CAANG and was a Generator Mechanic 91D and a 63B Light Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. I currently wear hearing aids! I need help getting to a regular 100% status.. I served from 1995-2003..
Man, grateful info. I just can't afford the price. A fellow Vet told me the master class was like 600, but I just checked it's 2k. 😢
Use veterans guardian. They do everything for you and you only pay them unless you get paid
I’m always nervous about messing with my rating. I’m at a total of 90% for my knees, back, and tinnitus. I see re-exams as an opportunity to lose what I have. I’m in my early 50s now and feel like I am better off not saying anything to increase my rating for fear of decreasing it instead.
So do we start the intent form for just the tinnitus and then add anything additional after approval or ask at once? Thanks
The intent to file form opens a window that you can do all your claims under
I have documented hearing loss and have only had hearing tests. It’s frustrating because all I hear are high-pitched sounds.
Just got 70% for mental health. Worked flightline so I’ll be doing tinnitus now to try to get 100%
I don’t see 31C…. My husband was on the job working on internal coms in a tank and when he was getting out, there was a live fire exercise that took place.. needless to say he was dead for several hours.
I was in the Navy. I see connection between drinking and showering in jet fuel can cause seiures. Also when in the ship yard we use to sand and grind and paint red lead paint. Any link for that to anything?
But when we complained that the drinking fountain tasted like JP we were told it tested fine for human consumption.🇺🇸
@@michaelmarks8954 I remember that.
I've had vertigo.
It's awful.
And it can be debilitating.
You feel like you are floatingin the air and spinning rapidly in three dimensions while falling.
You can fall over.
Puke.
You can become terrified as if you are falling rapidly.
It's similar to ou5 of body experiences mixed with a bad trip.
I've got 10% for tinnitus, and have experienced a lot of dizziness over the last couple years... BUT it's damn hard to get a diagnosis for Meneire's disease. I do experience staggering, but here's the rub. I don't have a diagnosis, and have been pursuing a diagnosis for over 16 months.
Had to go through:
1) Cardiology - they wanted to rule out cardio vascular / circulatory issues as dizzyness/staggering primarily occurs when walking or during activities
2) VA ENT - hearing loss (mine is intermittent) - but hearing loss is considered "within limits" and not granted.
3) Referred to Care in Community (CIC) for Neurology - MRI and neurology testing was "unremarkable" - good I guess?
4) Referred to Care In Community for Vestibular testing - "within limits / unremarkable"
5) Back to VA Primary to request further neurology / vestibular testing.
So far, almost 1.5 years in and no diagnosis.
@davidRachfordFitness- Just wanted to chime in and provide a little assistance/knowledge for your claim for Meniere's Disease. As you can see it is difficult to diagnose the disease. Meniere's disease is generally considered a distinct inner ear disorder that causes a specific set of symptoms, rather than being a cause (secondary) of another condition like tinnitus or vertigo. Moreover, the exact etiology (root cause) remains unclear, which is why it's often described as idiopathic (of unknown cause).
The following are criteria's for diagnosing Meniere's disease:
1. Two episodes of vertigo, each lasting 20 minutes or longer but not longer than 12 hours within a 24 hour period.
2. Hearing loss verified by a hearing test
3. Tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ear
4. Exclusion of other known causes of these complications
Now for diagnosing Meniere's disease it primarily involves audiometric testing in which you went through with your specialists ie, speech discrimination test that evaluates your ability to distinguish words in addition to a Pure-tone test that assesses hearing at various frequencies and volumes.
These tests help identify hearing loss and vestibular issues characteristic of Meniere's disease. While additional vestibular tests may be conducted, these audiometric exams are crucial for establishing a diagnosis. Which looks like your doctors/specialists were ruling out.
Hope this helps. Take it with a grain of salt.
p.s -Now , I'm not a doctor, I'm just one that has been studying the VA processes and ratings over the last several years in hopes to assist my fellow brothers and sisters veterans and their family members to have the knowledge to assist their path in their claims journey.
Dam 😢
I've had a ringing in my ear for over 2 years , had an audio exam through my personal physician... While in the military, I worked as an O5C, later 31D, Communications Specialist and Supervisor... definitely need help... Thanks
I have tinnitus and get dizzy when I stand up and close my eyes. Didn't think it was an issue until watching this video.
I'm almost 55, MOS of 82c, I've had Tinnitus for 25+ years, for some reason I never made connection to military service. I'm not sure where to start but I feel I should at least try to get some VA help, I've also had sleep problems for about the same time.
Oh shit, I didnt even think about migraines/headaches. I am going for a CT scan of my head on the 31st because of my headaches, I already have the tinnitus rating. I need my appeals to finish up, so I can go ahead and claim headaches.
All the best on your journey. Just curious about the filing for migraines. Are you filing secondary to tinnitus or a standalone claim?
An informative video. Appreciate the details, however, you should caution your viewers that being diagnosed with either vertigo or Ménière's disease may result in driving restrictions... especially Ménière's disease. The juice may not be worth the squeeze to some. Absolutely get treated for ALL service related injuries/exposures, etc. but be aware that the rating(s) come with sacrifices and limitations. Thanks for the video.
I have the Tinitus claim locked in, but am working on a menieres secondary to Tinitus. Am currently doing physical therapy for it and have an ENT appointment to try and get thing situated.
Do you have Personal Statements Templates?
Luckily I had a hearing test before I got out and when compared to the MEPS hearing test it showed a significant loss.
I have service connection for Tinnitus and the classic: full pressure feeling in one ear, vertigo, stumbling, hearing loss) and getting a diagnosis for Meniere's is proving so hard... the ENT specialist just tried putting a balloon in my ear which did nothing.
I tried to do Tinnitus and also headaches. I did a ear test and spoke with a person about my headaches she was really cool. I got the letter back that they denied me. Ima assume because I got out in 2017 and tried this year 2024. I was Infantry in a heavy weapons unit with 1 tour to Afghanistan. On my paper it did say something about me being exposed to something but doesn't say what.
Edit: I already have 70% (40% for my back and 50% PTSD)
You probably should've did tinnitus by itself...get approved and then tried for headaches. I applied for tinnitus Sept 25th this year...was approved 10% Oct 15th....I got out the military in 1997. Try again just for tinnitus....good luck.
I got out in 2011 filed for Tinnitus the first time in 2022 and got rated 10%. Keep trying.
Try getting the Tinnitus Service Connected first. And then once that's SC, make the migraines secondary to Tinnitus. Also, make sure you write a personal statement and submit that with both of your claims. A Nexus Letter or IMO will be needed for the migraines. For the Tinnitus, make sure in your personal statement the job you did and how the ringing in your ears started after shooting the heavy weapons.
@@GreenEyedDevilK9 Hey man I appreciate you for this ill start with that first thank you!
@@GreenEyedDevilK9 Ill also go research how to write a good personal statement
I'm at 80 percent secondary to tinnitus and insomnia. How can I push it up yo 100?
70 depression
30 migraine
10 tinnitus
What about Meniers Diesease? I have tinnitus and filed for Miniers.... (sp)?
Meniere's is rated on its own. The VA rates Meniere's disease under diagnostic code 6205. However, a key point is that you need an official diagnosis to claim this condition. Without a diagnosis, it's challenging to pursue a claim specifically for Meniere's disease. Are you trying to file Meniere's as a secondary to tinnitus?
@@VAClaimsSkool yes!
just joined up on your academy.....
100 percent P&t all secondary to tinnitus. It's true. Got my rating last week
Marcus knows what he’s doing! That’s a life changing thing you did for your entire household, big ups to you Marcus
@@vaclaimsacademy thanks man
Dude good for you! That’s crazy! We are all aiming for that p&t!
@@hereforthecomments456 yea man it's surreal. This was a 10 percent to 100 percent p&t.
Marcus if you don’t mind me asking, who was your lawyer?
I currently have 10% tinnitus rating - I also am completely deaf in left ear from an acoustic neuroma (on my hearing nerve-removed via craniotomy) the VA determined the tumor was not service connected therefore the hearing loss is not rated only the tinnitus … I would love to get your help and start a new claim. I also have PTSD & MST & depression w/anxiety d/o diagnoses from last claim but they are not rated. There’s more but I would love your help filing a new claim! 🙏🏽😩
How long does the process typically take to go from 10% to 100%?
sorry not the answer you may want but it will take however long it takes with fight, proper documentation, learning the process and faith and patience.
I went straight to 100. Go for mental health.