Question:
Hi Jim, In 2014, I was re-evaluated regarding hearing loss and Tinnitus. I recently discovered they did not rate me with additional 10% for Tinnitus. They found I had no hearing loss, but I did have Tinnitus. I have a case manager working on this currently with the state VA. My question is, will I receive the back pay from 2014 since it was an "error in a previous decision?"
Jim's Reply:
I don't know, there are a lot of things to consider. If you had applied for the tinnitus benefit and were denied, you'd have had to appeal within a year of denial. If you were diagnosed with tinnitus but didn't apply for the benefit, there probably won't be any retro pay.
The effective date of a claim is the date the claim was filed and rarely before that. I have doubts you're owed back pay to 2014.