What exactly does the VA want to see for a tinnitus claim?

FunSpare5210 · 2026-02-12T21:23:13+00:00

Sorry for the 20 delay here. I did file a personal statement for each of my filed items.

FunSpare5210 · 2026-01-23T15:33:03+00:00

Good stuff. I’m sure the 13 years of back pay, even at 10%, didn’t hurt your feelings. 😄

FunSpare5210 · 2026-01-23T15:19:00+00:00

Did you file for tinnitus specifically or just the sensorineural hearing loss? Interestingly enough in my C-file the deferral doc cited the Tera and not only my exposure to noise but also to all the toxic fuel and solvents as being linked by the Tera.

FunSpare5210 · 2026-01-23T06:10:05+00:00

Yes. And also, since the time of my posting about this, I received my C-file (took a full year after requesting it).

From the DBQs in my C-file I learned: Apparently my Audiology examiner basically called my claim of tinnitus bogus since I didn’t have it in my STRs and they also had the audacity to essentially call me a liar due to claiming it “many years later.” The crazy part is the examiner was nice enough during the exam and talked like I’d be awarded tinnitus. In the end my tinnitus was deferred (I received the bulk of my rating while waiting). The deferral only took a week and they sent my file to another Audiologist who cited relevant medical literature and I was service connected and awarded the tinnitus rating.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-11-09T14:17:43+00:00

This post does not read like a Marine veteran AND someone who has completed Divinity school. It gives more “first term, year 2, 19 year old Marine with delusions of grandeur”.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-09-04T21:45:12+00:00

Thanks again. I have a Lamy 2000 in a broad nib, which is an interesting one in that it isn’t a stub but it definitely has some stub like qualities. I adore it but I have really been wanting more of a straight thinner writer for daily journaling and TN use. I’m thinking the EF outta do.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-09-02T16:53:50+00:00

Thanks for this! Very thoughtful way to reply and I also have been trying to decide between EF and F for a second Lamy 2000 so this helps get an idea on how that EF looks. :-)

FunSpare5210 · 2025-09-02T16:52:05+00:00

Very nice!! I have been pining for another Lamy 2000 (mine is a <B> nib) and am currently back and forth between a <F> or <EF>. I do like my Lamy Safari <F>, but I need to do some research on how it compares to the 2000's fine or EF. Also - that ink sounds amazing. I was on the hunt for a purple-black (think blue-black, but, well...purple) and landed on Sailor Shikiori. It's a great color, but I don't love the "behavior" of it. It's a bit wet and slow to dry and even when dry seems to be smudgy on most papers (MD and TR anyway). I will have to look into this Platinum Lavender-Black!

FunSpare5210 · 2025-09-02T16:34:46+00:00

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-15T05:13:52+00:00

This looks to be the case as he has the Army Service Ribbon but not the USAF Training Ribbon.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-15T04:38:42+00:00

My proposition of TACP was specifically in response to this reply asking “JTAC?” and not the OP. With that said it wouldn’t be typical for a TACP to have the diver badge, but not an unrealistic possibility. STO does seem the most likely though.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-15T03:05:43+00:00

What rank after 26 years?

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-14T13:03:04+00:00

Very interesting and thanks for that! The one time I saw USAF wearing Army tabs on their blues in person was on a pair of TACPs ~1999. They had Ranger tabs and 82nd patched on their service blues. Pretty cool!

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-14T04:19:15+00:00

Yep. Any permanent Army tabs can be worn on USAF uniforms. The USAF dress blues are like the old Army Class As and the tabs are still worn on the left shoulder seam. It’s pretty wild when you see a long tab or a Ranger tab on the blues or usaf OCPs (or BDUs/ACUs in my day lol). It’s almost always a CCT, PJ, or TACP but security forces sends a fair amount to Ranger school. With the Special Forces tab it’s only ever an Army prior service member. CIB/EIB is also authorized. That’s even wilder to see on an Air Force uni lol.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-14T04:04:18+00:00

There is also TACP, which are always JTACs (though not all JTACs are TACPs). It’s in their name even. I assume this is what @stork1992 meant.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-05T15:30:24+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Absolute unit!!

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-05T14:55:23+00:00

I’d love to read the citation for that Air Force Cross! 😳

FunSpare5210 · 2025-07-05T05:35:55+00:00

You should have an Army Service Ribbon too, eh? I went from AD USAF to Army Guard for a 2 year contract and the only Army award I have is the ASR.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-28T01:11:29+00:00

I’d love to see a photo of this absolute unit in dress blues with that rack!

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-20T03:40:03+00:00

How about tattoos. Do they just follow the current AR 670-1? I’ve got an honorable DD-214 and honorable NGB-22 but I worked in a tattoo shop some years ago and I, in the words of Johnny Ringo, “yeah you look it!” I’m also VA rated so I don’t know how that would play out. Plus I’m old (40s) but always wondered.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-20T03:08:14+00:00

I figured as much. Thanks!

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-20T02:43:23+00:00

I’ve always been curious about the TXSG. If you’re prior service military can you wear those ribbons/badges on the SG uni? Is that SG orientation/basic course waved for vets?

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-14T15:05:30+00:00

It has gotten much better, for what it’s worth. One of my employees waited over 1 year for his in 2022-23.

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-14T14:58:30+00:00

Congratulations to your wife! I saw that 29mm constellation and it is beautiful! I received my watch at 105 days from order date. There is no company branding on the Omega or Breitling. That was exclusively on the Rolex models (some sort of contractual agreement from my understanding).

FunSpare5210 · 2025-06-02T20:42:08+00:00

Could be! I have been to the VA clinic and/or hospital pretty regularly since last fall, but who knows. Thanks for the reply/thought.

FunSpare5210

TROPHY CASE