I Could Just Strangle Somebody

[stillhere]

I would appreciate someone with the ability to explain the results of my hearing test going into the service and coming out.

Pre induction test R 250 - 500=15, 1,000=15, 2,000=10, 3,000 -,4000=30

L 250- 500=10, 1,000=15, 2,000=15, 3,000- 4,000=10

separation test R 250- 500=15, 1,000=15,2,000=15, 3,000-, 4,000=15

L 250- 500=15, 1,000=15,2,000=15, 3,000-, 4,000=15

Do you see what I see?

[Chuck75]

What I see are numbers that show a hearing degradation, but not enough to kick you out of the "normal" range. (Likely why the numbers were assigned)

I would appreciate someone with the ability to explain the results of my hearing test going into the service and coming out.

Pre induction test R 250 - 500=15, 1,000=15, 2,000=10, 3,000 -,4000=30

L 250- 500=10, 1,000=15, 2,000=15, 3,000- 4,000=10

separation test R 250- 500=15, 1,000=15,2,000=15, 3,000-, 4,000=15

L 250- 500=15, 1,000=15,2,000=15, 3,000-, 4,000=15

Do you see what I see?

[stillhere]

What I see are numbers that show a hearing degradation, but not enough to kick you out of the "normal" range. (Likely why the numbers were assigned)

The main point here is that the VA keeps denieing my claim for sc hearing loss based on a falseified separation exam. My audiologist is going to point tnis out to them in their letter. I also will point this out in my letter of support.

[carlie]

still,

My question is how will you prove the separation exam is falsified ?

carlie

[stillhere]

still,

My question is how will you prove the separation exam is falsified ?

carlie

First I plan on getting my audiologist to blow the induction exam way up and to say how there is no way someone working in my MOS in a war zone had there hearing essentually improve. And to high light how the note hand written by the doctor clearly says I had high frquency loss in the service. And then but not least I am working on getting some buddy letters from people I knew in the nam and right after. I think my main objective now is to get the VA to totally disallow that test as bogus. Then and only then will I be able to get them to SC.

[carlie]

still,

Just my opinion but I really can't see any way to get this claim granted,

and if by some bolt of luck coming your way - if it should get granted

it will be at zero percent compensation.

jmho,

carlie

[broncovet]

DaNang

Yes, I agree those numbers are rather suspicious. However, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot be awarded SC for hearing loss. Like you, my hearing was rated "normal" upon separation, but I am now SC for hearing loss because my audiologist offered the opinion that my hearing loss was "most likely due to military service". Even more important than the degree of hearing loss to your rating is "speech differentiation".

Let me explain what "speech differentiation" means. The brain "converts", for example, the word "fork" into an image of a three pronged object for eating. If someone said "fork" to you in Chinese, you may hear what they said, but you probably would not understand (speech discriminate) they wanted you to pass them the fork..you just would not make that connection. In a similar way, people who are hard of hearing loose speech discrimination over time. The brain looses its ability to know what a "fork" is..almost like they heard the word, but it was spoken in Chinese. I have about 90% speech discrimination. That means 10% of what I hear falls into cyberspace, and I dont get it. The VA does understand this, in their ratings, and speech discrimination is more heavily weighted than actual hearing loss. The speech discrimination test is when the audiologist asks you to "say the word popcorn"..if you say popcorn, you got it. But if you say, "tin horn" you heard the word..but did not get it.

Of course, the VARO still tried, at least twice, to deny my benefits. However, by the time people reach the BVA, they require they know how to read and write! Regional Office employees do not have to know how to read and write, they put on the "Claim Denied" rubber stamp so they can tell which one to use.

Seriously, the regulations state, to the effect, that the rating specialist can not use his unsubstantiated opinion to "trump" a qualified Audiologist's opinion about your hearing loss. The only one qualified to oveturn the above opinion, is ANOTHER Audiologist. This is often why the VA calls for C&P exams. In a C&P exam, the VARO decides who the examiner is to be, not the Veteran, so they often hire and pick someone who will be on their side..not the Veterans side. This is just one way that some states pay Veterans less compensation than other states...they hire "consultant" physicians to do C&P exams. They then give that physician a rubber stamp that says either, "Veterans disability due to Veterans own misconduct" or, if the doc likes you, "Veterans disability not likely caused by military service". At the end of the year, "bonuses" are paid, not to how many Veterans are helped, or whether or not the claims backlog was reduced, but based on how brown your nose is.

I had to put a little humor in there to keep from going nuttier....

Edited January 8, 2009 by broncovet