SGT. SHAFT: Vet’s hearing injury claim denied by VA

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

I attended ROTC boot camp in the summer of 1958 at Corps of Engineers, Fort Belvoir, Va. I sustained tinnitus and hearing injury at the M1 rifle range. I reported that to the VA at the time and they turned down my claim because my training “… is not considered as service in the armed forces.”

I also applied afterwards for transfer from the Corps of Engineers to the Chemical Corps using my doctor’s advice to refrain from explosive noises that could be experienced in combat situations. I served active duty in the Chemical Corps from 1966-1968.

I just reapplied to the VA and they said again “… there is no evidence that you served on active duty during this time, nor was a line of duty for your tinnitus and hearing loss submitted.”

I have noted your URL saying that “ROTC Summer Camp Can Count as Military Service” (http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,144257,00.html).

Can you give me advice on whether or not I can and should proceed on my claim for VA benefits?

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Andrew F.
Wilmington, Del.

Dear Andrew:

It counts as service time for military retirement and completion of an enlistment contract. However, according to the VA handbook, it does not count toward the 24 months active duty required for veteran status.

Shaft notes

The Sarge joins the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in welcoming a new White House initiative that will help service members and veterans get civilian credentials and licenses needed to find work in manufacturing and other high-skills jobs.

This initiative will provide opportunities for up to 126,000 service members and veterans to gain industry-recognized, nationally portable certifications for high-demand manufacturing jobs, according to a White House announcement.

“Veterans have the training, discipline and work ethic employers want and need,” said DAV NationalCommander Donald L. Samuels. “And while veterans often have the expertise and experience that could qualify them for in-demand jobs, they often miss out on the chance to quickly move into good jobs because they typically must undergo lengthy and expensive retraining in order to meet civilian licensure and certification requirements, often for the same type of jobs they held in the military. This initiative is aimed squarely at easing their transition to the civilian workforce by closing the gap between military training and those requirements.”

Among the key components of this initiative is the Department of Defense's Military Credentialing and Licensing Task Force, which will focus on industries that need more skilled workers and identify military specialties that readily transfer to those jobs, according to the White House. The task force also will work with civilian credentialing and licensing associations to close the gap between military training programs and those requirements and give service members greater access to necessary certification and licensing exams.

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