[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

I got 10% on the tinnitus, thought a 0% on hearing was warranted based on all of my reading and post on this great site. 

[Tinnitus & Hearing Loss C&P Exam]

Hey Guys! First time posting long time follower. I have finally got my ratings from the VA and got 40% first go around, but was rated at 0% on my hearing even though my C&P stated: 

SECTION1: HEARINGLOSS(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|AvgHz|

 

 

| Hz*| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz|(B-E)**|
| ========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 10| 5| 10| 15| 25| 35| 45| 14| +=======================================================================+

LEFT EAR +==============================================================+ |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|
| ========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========+ | 500| 1000| 2000| 3000| 4000| 6000| 8000|AvgHz|
| Hz*| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz| Hz|(B-E)**|
| ========+========+========+========+========+========+========+========| | 15| 10| 10| 20| 40| 50| 65| 20| +=======================================================================+

* 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 CNCword list): +=======================+
| RIGHTEAR| 94%|
| =============+=========|

|LEFTEAR| 94%| +=======================+

e. Appropriateness of Use of Word Recognition Score (Maryland CNCword l i st ) :

Right Ear:
I s W o r d D i s c r i m i n a t i o n Sc o r e a v a i l a b l e ? Y e s

Word Discrimination Score appropriateness:
Use of word recognition score is appropriate for this Veteran.

Left Ear:
I s W o r d D i s c r i m i n a t i o n Sc o r e a v a i l a b l e ? Y e s

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 | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal

  |

• |  =====================+===========================+===========================| | Ipsilateral | |

  |

| Acoustic Reflexes | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal

|

| =====================+===========================+===========================| | Contralateral | |

|
| Acoustic Reflexes | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal | [X] Normal [ ] Abnormal

|
| =====================+===========================+===========================|

| | |

[] | |

[]

| Unabletointerpret| | reflexesdueto |
| artifact |

|

| =====================+===========================+===========================| | Unabletoobtain/ | |

|
| +=============================================================================+

| maintainseal | [] |

[]

2. Diagnosis ------------

RIGHT EAR ---------

[ ] Normal hearing
[ ] Conductivehearingloss [ ] Mixed hearing loss

ICDcode: ICD code:

[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)* ICD code: H90.3

[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or higher frequencies)** ICDcode: H90.3

[ ] Si g n i f i c a n t c h a n g e s i n h e a r i n g t h r e s h o l d s i n s e r v i c e * * *

LEFT EAR --------

[ ] Normal hearing

 

[ ] Conductivehearingloss ICDcode:
[ ] Mixed hearing loss ICD code:
[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 500-4000 Hz)*

ICD code: H90.3
[X] Sensorineural hearing loss (in the frequency range of 6000 Hz or

higher frequencies)** ICDcode: H90.3
[ ] Si g n i f i c a n t c h a n g e s i n h e a r i n g t h r e s h o l d s i n s e r v i c e * * *

NOTES:
* The Veteran may have hearing loss at a level that is not considered to

be
adisabilityforVApurposes. Thiscanoccurwhentheauditory thresholdsare greater than 25 dBat one or more frequenciesin the 500-4000 Hz range.

** TheVeteranmayhaveimpairedhearing,but it doesnot meet thecriteria tobeconsideredadisabilityforVApurposes. ForVApurposes,the diagnosis of hearing impairment is based upon testing at frequency

ranges
of500,1000,2000,3000,and4000Hz. IfthereisnoHLinthe

500-4000
Hzrange,but thereisHLabove4000Hz,checkthisbox.

* * * The Veteran may have a significant change in hearing threshold in service, but it does not meet the criteria to be considered a disability forVApurposes. (Asignificantchangeinhearingthresholdmay

indicat e
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? Yes

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? Yes
Rationale (Provide rationale for either a yes, no answer or speculation reason): The veteran's enlistment physical exam dated 6/ 20/ 2000 indicated normal hearing in the right ear. His separation physical exam dated10/29/2015indicatedhearingloss.Therefore,it isasleast as likely as not that the veteran's present right ear hearing loss is
related to military noise exposure.

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? Yes

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? Yes

Rationale (Provide rationale for either a yes, no answer or speculation reason): The veteran's enlistment physical exam dated 6/ 20/ 2000 indicated a mild high frequency hearing loss in the left ear. His separation physical exam dated 10/29/2015 indicated significantly worse hearing in the left ear. Therefore, it is as least as likely as not

t hat
the veteran's present left ear hearing loss is related to military

noise exposure.

Did hearing loss exist prior to service? Yes
If yes, was the pre-existing hearing loss aggravated beyond normal progression in military services? Yes

Provide rationale for both yes or no: See above comments.

4. Functional impact of hearing loss
------------------------------------
Does the Veteran's hearing loss impact ordinary conditions of daily

life,
including ability to work: No

5. Remarks, if any, pertaining to hearing loss: -----------------------------------------------

The veteran served in the Coast Guard from 2000 to 2015. His MOSwas boatswains mate. He reports noise exposure from diesle boat engines and small arms qualification. He states that he wore hearing protection some of thetime.Hedeniesahistoryof civilianoccupational/recreational

noise exposure. His otologic history is unremarkable.

SECTION2: TINNITUS

-------------------- 1. Medical history

------------------
Does the Veteran report recurrent tinnitus: Yes

Date and circumstances of onset of tinnitus: The veteran states that his tinnitus began while he was in the military. It is in both ears and is const ant .

2. Etiology of tinnitus
-----------------------
At least as likely as not (50%probability or greater) caused by or a result

of military noise exposure. Rationale: The relationship between noise exposure, nose-induced hearing loss and tinnitus is well documented   Should I have been entitled to a zero rating, and if in YHO should I appeal it?  I want to say thank you, as all of the advice on this site was a great resource and made this battle a little easier.