Question:
I served as a draftee in the Army from 1967 to 1969, did not go overseas, after AIT in Armor (Tanks) at Fort KNox, Ky. my platoon was picked to stay behind as instructors at the Armor School, I never thought I was entitled to any medical treatment after my discharge, so I just started looking into the VA benefits a few years ago, I was turned down by the VA as non related to duty on #'s 1 and 3. : 1. I was drafted with flat feet and never were issued boots that fit wide flat feet, I got tired of complaining and let it go. After being discharged I eventually had to have surgery for bunions on both feet, two surgeries turned into four because of doctor errors (non VA). I ended up with plastic (?) implants in my large toes and have never walked right since the 70's. A podiatrist at the VA clinic made a comment that when I was drafted, there was no proper boots available for flat feet, let alone wide flat feet. It was small talk not on the record, don't think that statement made it into my file. 2. It does not seem like much, but I was awarded 10% disability for tinnitus, which I have 24 hrs a day and only offset with other noises. I was a trainee and later a training NCO at Fort Knox, Ky. in Armor, the gun ranges I ran or participated in were; all weapons on the M60 tank, 45 pistol and 45 machine gun. Should I have gotten more? Statements were made I might've been exposed to more gunshot and cannon noises than some battles in the field, because of the frequency of training and teaching on the ranges. Ear plugs were provided, I had to give mine up or take them off on occasion, students would lose them, for teaching or not enough would reach the range. 3. I have a back injury from a runaway Tank driving class I was teaching, going down a hill over logs, the student lost control, he ended up bloody, I was jerked around in the iron turret. He was given medical treatment, I refused treatment and finished my class. I do not know if there ever was a record of the accident.
Jim's Reply:
When we file a claim for disability benefits it's our task to establish service connection. That simply means we have to prove that our military service caused, contributed to or otherwise aggravated a disabling condition.
That you were drafted and served your obligation tells us that you were fit for duty. You may have been eligible for VA health care or not...I can't say without knowing more about the time you were in service.
If you had surgery within one year of discharge the bunions may have been service connected even without a medical record in service but I'll assume this happened years later so no service connection there. A vague recollection that some random doctor said something doesn't help.
Tinnitus is capped at 10%. However, I'd urge you to return and have your hearing tested. I don't know a single person who was in armor who doesn't need hearing aids.
If you were in an accident, you have to prove that. It's that simple...a lot could have happened to your back since then and VA isn't going to take your word for it.
I think it's likely that you have a great claim for hearing loss. Otherwise not so much.