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Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
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dagoatmarine
Hello, to my fellow service men and women. I just had a C&P for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus. I wanted to get the experts thoughts on this. It looks like I don't have a good chance for the hearing loss, but I might for the Tinnitus. What do you think? and at what percentage?....thanks everyone.
LOCAL TITLE: C&P AUDIO
STANDARD TITLE: C & P EXAMINATION NOTE
DATE OF NOTE: DEC 23, 2015@08:30 ENTRY DATE: DEC 23, 2015@10:07:40
AUTHOR: TAYLOR,CHRISTOPHER EXP COSIGNER:
URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Disability Benefits Questionnaire
Name of patient/Veteran: TAYLOR,DAVID G
Is this DBQ being completed in conjunction with a VA 21-2507, C&P
Examination
Request?
[X] Yes [ ] No
ACE and Evidence Review
-----------------------
Indicate method used to obtain medical information to complete this
document:
[X] In-person examination
Evidence Review
---------------
Evidence reviewed (check all that apply):
[X] VA e-folder (VBMS or Virtual VA)
Evidence Comments:
C-file reviewed in VBMS. Audiological evaluations dated
8/4/94(enlistment)
and 6/10/99(separation) revealed hearing within normal limits,
bilaterally.
No STS noted between enlistment and separation evaluations.
This exam is for: Hearing loss and/or tinnitus (audiologist, performing
current exam)
SECTION 1: HEARING LOSS (HL)
-----------------------------
1. Objective Findings
---------------------
a. Puretone thresholds in decibels (air conduction):
RIGHT EAR
+==============================================================+
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========+
| 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 4000 | 6000 | 8000 | Avg Hz |
| Hz* | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | (B-E)**|
|========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========|
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 6 |
+=======================================================================+
LEFT EAR
+==============================================================+
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
|========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========+
| 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 3000 | 4000 | 6000 | 8000 | Avg Hz |
| Hz* | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | Hz | (B-E)**|
|========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========|
| 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 15 | 0 | 4 |
+=======================================================================+
* The puretone threshold at 500 Hz is not used in determining the
evaluation but is used in determining whether or not a ratable hearing
loss exists.
** The average of B, C, D, and E.
*** CNT - Could Not Test
b. Were there one or more frequency(ies) that could not be tested: No
c. Validity of puretone test results: Test results are valid for rating
purposes.
d. Speech Discrimination Score (Maryland CNC word list):
+=======================+
| RIGHT EAR | 100% |
|=============+=========|
| LEFT EAR | 100% |
+=======================+
e. Appropriateness of Use of Word Recognition Score (Maryland CNC word
list):
Right Ear:
Is Word Discrimination Score available? Yes
Word Discrimination Score appropriateness:
Use of word recognition score is appropriate for this Veteran.
Left Ear:
Is Word Discrimination Score available? Yes
Word Discrimination Score appropriateness:
Use of word recognition score is appropriate for this Veteran.
f. Audiologic Findings
Summary of Immittance (Tympanometry) Findings:
+=============================================================================+
| | RIGHT EAR | LEFT EAR
|
|=====================+===========================+===========================|
| Acoustic immittance | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal
|
|=====================+===========================+===========================|
| Ipsilateral | |
|
| Acoustic Reflexes | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal
|
|=====================+===========================+===========================|
| Contralateral | |
|
| Acoustic Reflexes | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [ ] Normal [ ] Abnormal
|
|=====================+===========================+===========================|
| Unable to interpret | |
|
| reflexes due to | [ ] | [ ]
|
| artifact | |
|
|=====================+===========================+===========================|
| Unable to obtain/ | |
|
| maintain seal | [X] | [X]
|
+=============================================================================+
2. Diagnosis
------------
RIGHT EAR
---------
[X] Normal hearing
[ ] Conductive hearing loss ICD code:
[ ] Mixed hearing loss ICD code:
[ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)*
ICD code:
[ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or
higher frequencies)** ICD code:
[ ] Significant changes in hearing thresholds in service***
LEFT EAR
--------
[X] Normal hearing
[ ] Conductive hearing loss ICD code:
[ ] Mixed hearing loss ICD code:
[ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)*
ICD code:
[ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or
higher frequencies)** ICD code:
[ ] Significant changes in hearing thresholds in service***
NOTES:
* The Veteran may have hearing loss at a level that is not considered to
be
a disability for VA purposes. This can occur when the auditory
thresholds are greater than 25 dB at one or more frequencies in the
500-4000 Hz range.
** The Veteran may have impaired hearing, but it does not meet the criteria
to be considered a disability for VA purposes. For VA purposes, the
diagnosis of hearing impairment is based upon testing at frequency
ranges
of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz. If there is no HL in the
500-4000
Hz range, but there is HL above 4000 Hz, check this box.
*** The Veteran may have a significant change in hearing threshold in
service, but it does not meet the criteria to be considered a disability
for VA purposes. (A significant change in hearing threshold may
indicate
noise exposure or acoustic trauma.)
3. Etiology
-----------
Right Ear
Was there a permanent positive threshold shift (worse than reference
threshold) greater than normal measurement variability at any frequency
between 500 and 6000 Hz for the right ear? No
Opinion provided for the right ear: Yes
If present, is the Veteran's right ear hearing loss at least as likely as
not (50% probability or greater) caused by or a result of an event in
military service? No
Rationale (Provide rationale for either a yes, no answer or speculation
reason): Given there was no significant shift in hearing sensitivity
between Enlistment and Separation audiological evaluations, and current
hearing levels do not meet the criteria for disability under VA
regulations, it is not necessary to discuss etiology of hearing loss.
Did hearing loss exist prior to service? No
Left Ear
Was there a permanent positive threshold shift (worse than reference
threshold) greater than normal measurement variability at any frequency
between 500 and 6000 Hz for the left ear? No
Opinion provided for the left ear: Yes
If present, is the Veteran's left ear hearing loss at least as likely as
not (50% probability or greater) caused by or a result of an event in
military service? No
Rationale (Provide rationale for either a yes, no answer or speculation
reason): Given there was no significant shift in hearing sensitivity
between Enlistment and Separation audiological evaluations, and current
hearing levels do not meet the criteria for disability under VA
regulations, it is not necessary to discuss etiology of hearing loss.
Did hearing loss exist prior to service? No
4. Functional impact of hearing loss
------------------------------------
Does the Veteran's hearing loss impact ordinary conditions of daily life,
including ability to work: Yes
If yes, describe impact in the Veteran's own words: Veteran reports having
difficulty understanding speech, especially when in environments with
background noise present.
5. Remarks, if any, pertaining to hearing loss:
-----------------------------------------------
Veteran reports history of noise exposure to gunfire and explosions while
serving in the military. Veteran denies history of post service
occupational noise exposure working IT in quiet environments.
SECTION 2: TINNITUS
--------------------
1. Medical history
------------------
Does the Veteran report recurrent tinnitus: Yes
Date and circumstances of onset of tinnitus: Veteran reports subjective,
mild, intermittent (occurring only when in quiet environments) tinnitus
bilaterally that started while serving in the military.
2. Etiology of tinnitus
-----------------------
At least as likely as not (50% probability or greater) caused by or a result
of military noise exposure.
Rationale: Based on the veteran's reported history, it is at least as
likely as not that the tinnitus is a result of military noise exposure.
3. Functional impact of tinnitus
--------------------------------
Does the Veteran's tinnitus impact ordinary conditions of daily life,
including ability to work: No
4. Remarks, if any, pertaining to tinnitus::
--------------------------------------------
No response provided
NOTE: VA may request additional medical information, including additional
examinations if necessary to complete VA's review of the Veteran's
application.
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broncovet
Your exam indicated normal hearing in both ears, but you have tinnitus related to military service. I recommend not dropping the claim, but continuing as hearing loss gets worse over time, not better
Buck52
If the examiner based this from a VA Hearing test&Dr and your denied? NOD go to a private Audoligist Specialist and get another hearing test, Even if you had good hearing after you got out of
Gastone
Tinnitus, 1 or both ears SC = straight 10%SC, no Bilateral Factor applicable. Your Boned on the Hearing Loss, 100% Word Recognition, even considering "Guesses" sinks your boat for a Hearing Loss SC. Y
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