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

[Balls_B]

Trying to correct a 'lost post'. I had agreed with Buck52 on getting a an 'audiogram' by a private clinic. However, my post stated that the only tests the VA would accept is a Maryland CNC.

I doubt my wisdom. there are many 'frequency' tests but you will need the Maryland CNC which is a 'speech recognition' test.

[Buck52]

On 11/2/2017 at 9:11 AM, IMEF-Gunny said:

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?

Gunny you need to tell the Dr/Audiologist about your ringing in your ears and let him know that you know this is known as  Tinnitus /they usually won't give you the tinnitus unless you ask them or let them know you have a ringing in your ears/head  it's 10% rating for both ears.

Actually a

 percentage for low hearing loss  usually they will give a 0% S.C.  So depends on what the #' s read obviously ,but they do use a Maryland CNC word discrimination test and if you don't do good with that   you will probably get at least a 10% rating...the VA is a diverse system.

 I had a hearing problem for years  took a private hearing test and walla they said my hearing is pretty bad told me I would benefit from hearing aids...well as expensive as they are  which I could not afford to buy I went to the VA  They test me and said I don't have a hearing problem according to the # they recorded, so denied my claim..I went took another private test only this time I used a ENT Specialist and had him to follow the VA Guidelines for hearing loss using the Maryland CNC Word test.  he did

and they said I had a profound hearing loss....went back to the VA and retest  this time they showed I had a hearing loss but was not compensable  (not bad enough) but they Service connected it at 0%.

.couple years later THEY decided to send me for a C&P which at that time the VA Audiologist checked my records and seen where they said my hearing was not bad enough...so he put in for an increase ( reason I was sent to the C&P) k the examiner looked at the last hearing test the VA did and I went from 0% to 50% hearing loss.

..Sosee how these VA Employees can be!

a lot of this medical we get from the VA depends a lot on the employee's  if some of them think your just there trying to get compensation they will finigale your medical records and YOU  will always get DENIED  unless you stay on top of your medical health and do some research and search the CFR'S make sure they do things right.

Hearing loss is one of the hardest claims to win and get a fare shake with your benefits..just keep going and keep request the increase  you will win but you got to keep trying to get what you deserve.

I Believe if I had got the Audiologist that first time that rechecked my records the first time I would have got the 50% then.

I knew someone was lying and only if I had known then what I know now...hindsight's 20/20 YEP IT SURE IS.   eh!!

so I recommend any veteran that has been denied for hearing loss from VA Audiology Dept  go get an an IMO from a quailfied Hearing Specialist Usually from a ENT Office request they use the VA Guidelines for hearing rating purposes..they can get the Maryland CNC word test from the VA or you can get it its on CD. for a few bucks

 

Note: you can get hearing aids from VA even if the # are not high enough for compensation  they will give you another hearing test and fit you for hearing aids. this is free.