Hearing loss/Tinnitus claim moving fast- no C&P

[IMEF-Gunny]

Is it possible that hearing loss and tinnitus could be rated and service connected without a C&P ? I fileed the claim, under review 4-5 days, gathering evidence 2 days, review of evidence today, estimated close by 11/17.

 

I submitted FDC, MEPS hearing test showed good hearing at low freq, and normal at high freq, Boot camp audiogram showed some hearing loss, but still normal low freq/mild at high freq, two buddy statements saying they can attest to my audiograms at work in 1992-1996 were bad and that guys used to tease me about being "deaf dumb jarhead" and such, don't have copies of the audiograms from 92-96 as company closed in 1996,  sent current audiograms from current employer 2007-2015 showing severe hearing loss in both ears above 1000 hz.

 

Thoughts?

Edited November 2, 2017 by IMEF-Gunny

[Buck52]

Gunny

it could be possible if you have the hearing test and your hearing is servere profound  and the test were performed either by the VA  or Private  ENT Specialist. using the VA Hearing Criteria.

and they do require all hearing test be done at 1000.2000.3000 4000.  ect ,,ect,,,

check this  link out

https://www.benefits.va.gov/PREDISCHARGE/DOCS/disexm05.pdf

 

Hearing Loss is the most hard to prove or get a fair rating for with the VA  (JUST MY OPINION)

Because a lot of veterans can hear the pure tones when in an Isolated sound proof room with headphones on and that usually don't meet the criteria by VA Standards to be compensated or S.C. at 0% rating.

in my opinion at a 50% hearing loss  the veteran is darn near deaf as it is...and only get a 50% rating  that's not right. who ever set the VA hearing criteria  obviously was not hearing impaired.

   but in real life most veterans with hearing diffculty can't hear or understand what is being said  especially with 3 or 4 more talking... or have a hard time understanding the syllables and the VA Examination does not reflect that other than the word discrimination testing  again performed in a sound proof room with head phones on at a higher volume than regular human voice speaking in general socialized setting.

Edited November 2, 2017 by Buck52

[IMEF-Gunny]

Just saw where a C&P exam request was posted just a couple hours after this post.........so, I guess that answers that!

[Buck52]

Don't give up gunny if your hearing is bad or you don't understand words and tend to read lips  you go see a private Audiologist. just let them know the VA Criteria to do the test and use the CNC Word test.

keep your appeal going until you win your claim. if your already service connected  then that's the hard part  because sensorineural  noise induced hearing loss gets worse over time and can be increased in your compensation.

tinnitus let the audiologist know you have a rining in your head and it is constant sound   he/she can nexus the tinnitus with your hearing loss as like as not related to your Hearing loss

Just don't give up  besides you have not been denied yet have you?

[IMEF-Gunny]

No and here is my hearing test from work.......this will be my first hearing test by VA. I have a Meps hearing test, shows good hearing, boot camp shows mild loss, this....well.......you be the judge.....let's just say I read a lot of closed captioning!

MarathonHearingTests.bmp

[Buck52]

Sorry I can't tell from this test?

It really don't matter if you had good hearing at the beginning of your military service or not  actually if they tested your hearing at time of induction  into military and showed your hearing was good then...then later on you were around loud noise during your military (MOS) is a major factor for Service Connection.

And you noticed a decline in your Hearing...this is caused from noise induced  and its called noise induced hearing loss and it happens over the years and gets worse and worse.

You go take another test from the VA and maybe go take a state license  Audiologist private test  that use the VA Guidelines/Criteria...ask the audiologist to compare the results of the two test  and use the test that would be more favorable to your claim as evidence. and ask the Dr to state he has examined you and read your medical records and its likey as not this veterans hearing loss occurred while in the military  depending on what your MOS was  that will help  if you were around sudden loud noise.

[IMEF-Gunny]

Hearing exam C&P scheduled for next Friday......you think that means they are conceding hearing loss and doing the C&P to measure the extent of hearing loss?