[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

On 1/24/2017 at 7:19 PM, Buck52 said:

I think I would agree with the decision  but also ask for the P&T.  The benefits are super great with P&T.

Having this many S.C. Conditions   they should have gave you the scheduler 100% P&T Rating.

If any of these S.C. Conditions keeps you from working  they should have inferred the TDIU P&T with possibly SMC-S

THE 10% Increase with your hearing Now S.C. at 60% could boost you up to the extra scheduler b for the bump up to the TDIU if it keeps you from find marginal gainful employment or make less that 13.000 a year because of this S.C. hearing impairment, and with the other separate S.C. Conditions as high % as they are  you could also meet the criteria for SMC-S 1 H.B.

But if your happy with what they gave you  then thats ok too  its just that you can or should have recieved so much more.

jmo

Hi Buck,

I am receiving the SMC for housebound status. Is there anything else I should pursue like the P&T ? I am always concerned that they may go back and find reasons to reduce rather than increase. Been there with them before on this.

Thanks,

Wally

[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

On 12/13/2016 at 0:32 PM, Grunt said:

Thank you Buck 52. I appreciate your information. Sometimes, I am glad I don't hear well :) I will keep you posted on the results. It is a combined claim for the hearing and diabetes type 2 which has related issues like the pain and numbness in my feet. I had my feet digitized for some type of inserts for my shoes to help. Not sure how that is going to work as they have not come back to the VA yet. I was 100% when I was diagnosed with both Hodgkin's & Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but due to the remission, that has been taken away. 

Happy Holidays to you and yours. 

Wally

Hello Buck,

I received my determination letter from the VA regarding my hearing loss and Ischemic Heart Disease (Agent Orange Presumptive) today. My hearing loss was increased from 50% to 60% and I was granted 60% for the Ischemic Heart issue. My benefit payment will continue unchanged (100%) but I am not classified as TDIU or P&T from what I am reading. I receive 10% for tinnitus, 10% peripheral neuropathy for each foot total of 20%, 20% for Type II Diabetes, 50% PTSD, 60% for the hearing loss and 60% for the Ischemic Issue. Total of the disabilities = 220%  although the VA math I know does not sum it up that way. My thoughts are to just leave my situation as is. I am told that TDIU does not increase the disability and I don't know if there are any other benefits to gain from that classification. Any thoughts you may have would be appreciated. 

Hope you are well and I appreciate your help.

Wally

[Hearing Loss And Tinnitus]

Hello and Happy Holidays,

Sorry about the formatting of this, I know it is not aligned correctly but I believe that both ears average a 94. If I read the VA's table correctly, I would be assigned a Roman Numeral IX for both ears. I think that IX means I need a Hearing Ear Dog :) Am I right about my assumptions? I was in the Army from 69-74 and in country 70-72 I have records from 1970 that states my MOS (11B21D) should be changed to a non combat MOS. Any further exposure to loud weapons would unduly aggravate the condition. That never happened. I have been wearing VA hearing aids since 1983.   I will paste the link to this info at the bottom which may help others to decode the results of their hearing loss. 

Thank you for any help. I posted this before and "Buck52" replied and I am certain now that his interpretation of my results was correct. 

Happy Holidays To All :) 

http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/theears.html#a

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)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 70 | 95 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ 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)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 65 | 100 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ * 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 | 46% | |=============+=========| | LEFT EAR | 48% | +=======================+

[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

16 hours ago, Buck52 said:

Ifrom 1000   up to 5000  your hearing loss looks pretty bad to me. When the decibels are 55 or more &  When speech recognition is 92% or less, a performance intensity function must be obtained.

yours is 46 % left ear 48% right ear

§4.86   Exceptional patterns of hearing impairment.

(a) When the puretone threshold at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) is 55 decibels or more, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.

(b) When the puretone threshold is 30 decibels or less at 1000 Hertz, and 70 decibels or more at 2000 Hertz, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. That numeral will then be elevated to the next higher Roman numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155)

[64 FR 25209, May 11, 1999]

 it looks like to me you could get a high rating loss of better than 50%   ...50% hearing loss is consider major hearing loss and  close to being completely deaf ,  also with tinnitus  and a Profound severe hearing loss  you could possibly be rated 90% and inferred to TDIU P&T if this keeps you from working . or what you were trained to do.

the test looks like you have profound hearing loss.

but that's just my opinion  what matters is the opinion of the raters and how they see this test.

if you get a 60% or 70% 80% 90%  ask for IU.... IF THEY DON'T GIVE IT TO YOU.

Thank you Buck 52. I appreciate your information. Sometimes, I am glad I don't hear well :) I will keep you posted on the results. It is a combined claim for the hearing and diabetes type 2 which has related issues like the pain and numbness in my feet. I had my feet digitized for some type of inserts for my shoes to help. Not sure how that is going to work as they have not come back to the VA yet. I was 100% when I was diagnosed with both Hodgkin's & Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but due to the remission, that has been taken away. 

Happy Holidays to you and yours. 

Wally

[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

Greetings all,

Can anyone tell me what this info on my hearing loss means in layman's terms? I removed the redundant sections and only included what I thought was applicable. I also removed the names of myself and the examiner. 

 Thank you for any info you can provide and Happy Holidays 

LOCAL TITLE: AUDIOLOGY COMPENSATION AND PENSION EXAM (B) STANDARD TITLE: AUDIOLOGY C & P EXAMINATION CONSULT DATE OF NOTE: OCT 27, 2016@14:00 ENTRY DATE: OCT 27, 2016@15:32:45 AUTHOR: XXXXXX ONEI EXP COSIGNER: URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire Name of patient/Veteran: XXXXX 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] CPRS This exam is for: Hearing loss and/or tinnitus (audiologist, performing current exam) SECTION 1: HEARING LOSS (HL) ----------------------------- xxxxx  CONFIDENTIAL  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)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 70 | 95 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ 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)**| |========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 60 | 65 | 100 | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 105+ | 94 | +=======================================================================+ * 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 | 46% | |=============+=========| | LEFT EAR | 48% |

[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)* ICD code: H90.3 [ ] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or higher frequencies)** ICD code: [ ] Significant changes in hearing thresholds in service***

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 that he misunderstands what i s said, asks for repetitions alot, people think he is not paying attention, TV is too loud, he needs to use closed captioning on the TV and that his hearing loss is annoying to him. 5. Remarks, if any, pertaining to hearing loss: ----------------------------------------------- No response provided SECTION 2: TINNITUS -------------------- 1. Medical history ------------------ Does the Veteran report recurrent tinnitus: Yes Date and circumstances of onset of tinnitus: Veteran is service connected for tinnitus. His military and medical history are a matter of VARO record. 2. Etiology of tinnitus ----------------------- [X] Etiology opinion not indicated as: [X] Service connected condition 3. Functional impact of tinnitus -------------------------------- Does the Veteran's tinnitus impact ordinary conditions of daily life, including ability to work: Yes

If yes, describe impact in the Veteran's own words: Veteran reports that the tinnitus is annoying. 4. Remarks, if any, pertaining to tinnitus:: ----------------------