MOD to compensate thousands due to hearing loss

[Hot Shoes]

May be of interest to a few old deaf retirees out there. News on the BBC this morning.

MoD to compensate thousands of veterans over hearing loss

The government has now agreed that up to 10,000 people discharged after 1987 could be eligible for compensation.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Spearmint]

I'm going through this process at the moment and am almost complete. I'm just waiting on the Hearing Aid Report to come back.

My hearing loss is assessed as moderate and with the accompanying Tinnitus, requires a decent hearing aid (which can fit under my ear duffs for work and be used in SECRET environments) which at age 44 is a bit of a bugger but hey ho.

 

[Tin basher]

"The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opposed many claims made by veterans experiencing hearing loss, arguing other sources of noise were to blame, individuals should have worn protection or their claims were too late. Now it has accepted exposure to noise in the military has been a cause of hearing loss and that people discharged after 1987 could be eligible for compensation."

After many years around ground runs, see off's etc and lots and lots of rivet hammers I'm a hard of hearing old duffer and I de-mobbed after 1987. So what steps do you take to get started on the process? Any pointers from those already in the system?

 

[Spearmint]

"The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opposed many claims made by veterans experiencing hearing loss, arguing other sources of noise were to blame, individuals should have worn protection or their claims were too late. Now it has accepted exposure to noise in the military has been a cause of hearing loss and that people discharged after 1987 could be eligible for compensation."

After many years around ground runs, see off's etc and lots and lots of rivet hammers I'm a hard of hearing old duffer and I de-mobbed after 1987. So what steps do you take to get started on the process? Any pointers from those already in the system?

Plenty of solicitors taking these cases up as like typical sharks, they smell blood in the water. There is a time limit on this sort of thing though so be prepared to be disappointed as they could just as easy attribute your loss to simple aging.

 

[Tin basher]

they could just as easy attribute your loss to simple aging.

Correct hearing loss is function of age for all of us. There is a known downwards curve due to age they are hopefully looking for those that show to be below that curve. In the final years I was like a drowning man clutching at the curve and in my last two years I seriously doubt that my test rsults really were a pass.

 

[Spearmint]

Correct hearing loss is function of age for all of us. There is a known downwards curve due to age they are hopefully looking for those that show to be below that curve. In the final years I was like a drowning man clutching at the curve and in my last two years I seriously doubt that my test rsults really were a pass.

My readings are of a 60 year old man according to the independent leading ENT Doctor that examined me and performed a much more in depth audio gram. A lot of the medical docs of all of my readings done in the Mob are gibberish at best and in many cases not even signed off properly by the doctor, just SAC(W) such and such.

So when (if) I actually reach my 60's I'm probably going to be sporting one of those massive trumpets to stick in my ear.

What fun.

 

[Downsizer]

I'm going through this process at the moment and am almost complete. I'm just waiting on the Hearing Aid Report to come back.

My hearing loss is assessed as moderate and with the accompanying Tinnitus, requires a decent hearing aid (which can fit under my ear duffs for work and be used in SECRET environments) which at age 44 is a bit of a bugger but hey ho.

I left just over a year ago, and now that I'm no longer around "noise", I can hear a constant ringing in my ears......I assume that is tinnitus? I was always told at the med centre there were no issues at annual hearing tests, but now I'm not so sure....I struggle to hear conversations in pubs or noisy places....where would I begin with this?

 

[Spearmint]

I left just over a year ago, and now that I'm no longer around "noise", I can hear a constant ringing in my ears......I assume that is tinnitus? I was always told at the med centre there were no issues at annual hearing tests, but now I'm not so sure....I struggle to hear conversations in pubs or noisy places....where would I begin with this?

My claim is being handled by Clear Law. Best I can suggest is call them.

Serious Injury & Clinical Negligence | Clear Law

Personal Injury Claims Suffered an injury that was someone else's fault and are unsure what you can and can't claim compensation for? Learn about how we can help

www.clearlawonline.co.uk

 

[Rigga]

My claim has been in for a couple of months now - There’s a lot of claims lawyers jumping on this bandwagon.
I have quite a severe mix of tinnitus and deafness now

 

[norfolkred1]

I had 3 downgrades in succession due to poor hearing mainly due to hours of listening to white noise and HF frequencies. From the med board I was offered to 1. Go now or 2. Stay till end of contract without the option of signing on further. OC Admin opt for plan B and seek some retribution. Luckily I had another 6 years to play with. Prior to leaving I approached the RBL to fight my corner who obviously obliged. Since 2008 I have received a monthly war pension. Play for the long game and think about what crap one off payment they offer you. Last year I applied for a review and still waiting. Shy bairns get nowt.

Was the ideal downgrade TBF, no OOA unless Germany or Cyprus.

 

[Cooheed]

Gave up on this years ago. RBL had a thing about hearing loss years ago and I had a visit from a guy from Claritas I think. Fully tested and hearing loss confirmed. Disappeared into the ether, with my paper copies of hearing test fails (which he assured would be returned), and then nothing.

 

[Cornish_Pikey]

Seems these are the rules they go by.

50dB of hearing loss before exit before being considered.

RBL - Can I claim a War Pension or Armed Forces Compensation for hearing loss?

support.britishlegion.org.uk

 

[Rigga]

I got free hearing aids through RBL a year or so ago (worth £2.5k I believe) as they were given a second batch of reclaimed proceeds from criminal profits. 20+ years ago RBL was administering hearing claims for all services to the MOD.

 

[norfolkred1]

As my hearing has deteriorated over the years I submitted a reassessment claim about a year ago, giving evidence from a private hearing company. Yesterday I received an apologetic letter from the MOD War Pensions informing me that they have been underpaying me since 2008. Instead of 40% they have been giving me 20%. The outcome is £30K and an increase in monthly War pension. No delay, it's the bank already. If you are in receipt of a War Pension, best you check it out. I may put the heating on for an hour. The deterioration claim is still in.

 

[Talk Wrench]

As my hearing has deteriorated over the years I submitted a reassessment claim about a year ago, giving evidence from a private hearing company. Yesterday I received an apologetic letter from the MOD War Pensions informing me that they have been underpaying me since 2008. Instead of 40% they have been giving me 20%. The outcome is £30K and an increase in monthly War pension. No delay, it's the bank already. If you are in receipt of a War Pension, best you check it out. I may put the heating on for an hour. The deterioration claim is still in.

Veterans are very often shafted by a system that is supposed to be there to help them. Well done upon getting this unexpected result!

 

[norfolkred1]

Veterans are very often shafted by a system that is supposed to be there to help them. Well done upon getting this unexpected result!

Cheers for that. The second claim came back with a yes as well. So a further increase to my War Pension plus a back dated payout. If in any doubt put the paperwork in, if you don't ask, you don't get.

 

[Spearmint]

My claim has now been submitted to the defendant. If they refuse it goes to litigation which they'd be silly to do as my case is tighter than tight and they've admitted fault.

 

[Talk Wrench]

My claim has now been submitted to the defendant. If they refuse it goes to litigation which they'd be silly to do as my case is tighter than tight and they've admitted fault.

I'm very interested in how this pans out for you.

I'm heavily involved with a large UK Armed Forces and Veterans welfare organisation and questions about compensation regularly drop into the enquiry list.

Surprisingly, the hearing loss compensation scheme hasn't really been discussed too much within the particular sphere of welfare that I operate in.

Still, it's always nice to make a difference to the lives of UK veterans if they reach out for help.