I was reading an article written by Paul Hiott of the Veterans Services. The article was re-printed in part, which had been originally published in the December newsletter of the County Veterans Service Officer Association. The information was compiled by Glen McGuffie and Rick Tallman.
Presently, the service will accept medical claims, when there is substantial information included in the file. Then the person filing a claim can be compensated for their loss. In order for this to apply, the filer needs to have proof of their hearing loss, and proof that the loss of hearing is connected to the time they were in the service.
The filer can still get paid due to the hearing loss even if it's been many years since the claimant has served, if he or she can prove the hearing impairment is worse upon discharge then upon the time he or she entered the service, and also if they can prove military duties involved exposure to hazardous sounds. This should be included in the Veterans Statement and Service Personnel Records, which the VA should obtain based on statements to the VA office.
The veteran will need to prove current hearing loss meets CVA Rating Criteria. The veteran must be tested either by having a VA Hearing Exam, or have a private Hearing Exam conducted by a State Licensed Audiologist. The test should include a Speech Discrimination Test called Maryland CNC. Along with the test it should include a statement by an audiologist stating, "It's as likely as not current hearing loss was caused by noise exposure, while on active duty" and a statement by the veteran detailing exposure to hazardous noise on active duty and details of jobs after active duty.
I believe the men and woman who serve our country so gallantly to keep freedom in our land alive, can never be compensated completely for their sacrifices. Yet I have witnessed our government (throughout the years) dismiss these soldiers, whenever they should be compensated. Every soldier who gives up so much for their country's freedom should never be ignored for the time they served us to keep America safe.
How can we let these servicemen be forgotten? It's imperative we remember all soldiers and give them the respect and dignity they deserve. No matter how long or far they've traveled in a foreign country to serve now is the time to commemorate the good these valiant people have struggled to accomplish.
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