Has this happen to anyone before on C&P?

[Wayne TX]

I had a C&P Exam at my local VAMC for Hearing Loss 9 a.m. this morning (Thursday).  I applied for a new claim on 2/2.......last night eBenefits said Gathering of Evidence and tonight it says Preparation for Decision?   The decision date also jumped up to as early as 3/17 when it was showing May just 24 hours ago.  Is this normally a good sign or bad sign?    

 

Edited March 2, 2018 by Wayne TX
misspellings.

[Carl the Engineer]

Wayne,

Could be either way with the VA.  Seems pretty fast, but who knows how they are doing things now that they are letting people go for doing a poor job.

That said, hearing loss is a tough one.  I get 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing loss bilateral.  I did file for an increase because my hearing is more difficult in my left ear.  I was denied.

You really have to be deaf to get any comp, and you have to score poorly at the word game.  My range in my left ear is in th 60 dB, which is "moderatly severe hearing loss" in the civilian world, but not bad enough for VA comp.  I also aced the word game (word recognition test), so there is that.

Hearing is a tough nut to crack with the VA, however, they will give you free hearing aids.

FWIW,

Hamslice

 

[Wayne TX]

Thanks for the quick reply........kinda stunned that a decision has been reached before the close of business the same day as C&P and only one month since filing.  I guess I will know something soon enough.I am really surprised FDC moved that fast.

 

 

 

[Carl the Engineer]

I did have one simular, but it was a second C&P on the same condition and they were waiting on one specific thing to finish it.

Hamslice

 

[Buck52]

I would go get another hearing test from a private specialist at a  state license ENT Dr's office that using his own audiologist, take a copy of the VA Test & the Maryland CNC word test and the actual hearing test.  the cost for this was around 400.00 about 15 years ago I am not sure what it will be now  but  its worth it.

    as  Hamslice mention VA Comp for hearing loss you need to have a profound hearing loss to get any % for hearing loss, the same is with the SSA Unless they have changed?

Also if you have a ringing /buzz noise in your ears you need to mention this to the Audiologist  they don't ask you if you have it,so  you need to tell them if you do..its called tinnitus an is rated 10% for both ears.

Have the Dr to examine you and read in part your medical records from the VA about your hearing.

 If your trying to establish service connection   let the Dr know what you did in the military (MOS) an if you were around loud noise? ...he can give his opinion on that it is likely as not the cause or related to your hearing loss today,  this is known has noise induced bilateral hearing loss  which occurs over time. (the loud noise destroyed the hair fibers in your inner ear that vibrate for you to hear good)

Ask the audiologist to go by VA guidelines and use the Maryland CNC word discrimination ''word'' test..you can get this test at the VA for about 5.00 bucks  take the CD to the private Dr to use...after the testing ask them to compare the test with the VA Test...you don't need a letter for that if you show a loss of hearing with the new private Dr   the test will speak for you.  this will be good evidence because 90%of the time the VA will use the specialist opinion.

 

jmo

Edited March 2, 2018 by Buck52

[Buck52]

Wayne TX

Is Dr James Fincher Still there? he is the tall white hair ENT  Dr with the cowboy boots...lol

[Wayne TX]

Thanks for the tip Buck........I will do just that if I get rated at 0%.  I did mention I do have tinnitus episodes weekly for decades and he wrote that down.........Fanchner is suppose to be retiring soon and he can't leave fast enough for my liking.....definitely NOT Vet friendly and tries to fail everyone if he can get away with it..  The audiologist was a good guy and was Vet friendly so win or lose at least friendly/respectful and not anal towards Vets like Fancher.   LOL    We have to meet for coffee one of these days up there.