Hearing Loss Rated at 0%

[maingun]

So I jumped through all the hoops with the C&P exam and got 10% rating for tinnitus (thanks to you guys on this forum), but my hearing loss was rated at 0%! The determination letter gives me all kinds of numbers:

   Left ear 84% speech discrimination, dB loss 15 at 500 Hz, 25 at 1000 Hz, 50 at 2000 Hz, 65 at 3000 HZ and 80 at 4000 HZ

   Right ear 92% speech discrimination, dB loss 15 at 500 Hz, 15 at 1000 Hz, 50 at 2000 Hz, 65 at 3000 HZ and 70 at 4000 HZ

The letter says the hearing loss was service-related, but is evaluated at 0%.  I assume that means the loss doesn't rise to the level of a disability, which is a big load of BS.  I've been dealing with this ever since getting out of a tank turret.

So what's the best way to appeal?  Should I go to a private audiologist and get myself tested before appealing?  Or just go straight to the appeal process?

[maingun]

That can of worms should be opened. It is time for them to rectify their mistakes. If my next claim for an increase in HL is denied I will definitely open that can.

So as my hearing gets worse, I can re-claim?  I had guessed they would deny based on the additional loss being age-related.

[USMC_VET]

Its such a great thing that I live my life in a soundproof box listening to every conversation individually through heavy earphones......

[Carl the Engineer]

Just dropped the VA clinic a note saying I wanted my hearing tested as I am loosing some hearing in my left ear.  They scheduled me to get my ears cleaned on Friday and then will see if I get a test scheduled, etc..

 

Hamslice

 

[Carl the Engineer]

Oh, as like most everyone else, 10% for tinitus and 0% for hearing loss...

Seams to be the VA standard,

Hamslice

 

[broncovet]

Maingun:

    Do it again and this time do speech discrimination FIRST HORIZONTALLY (ACROSS) Like it says in 4.85B.  

Then go down for your pure tone loss.

    (Everyone does it backwards, as did I, and so does the VA).    

    I figured mine wrong, for years, doing it the opposite way as 4.85 b says to do it, repeating my error many times.  I think you will get 50 % when you do it right.  

[Carl the Engineer]

Nurse or ? looked into my ears and said they are fine and said she would schedule a consult..

Hamslice