Hearing Loss......need someone to interpret the numbers?

[Wayne TX]

Got a copy of my C&P Exam today at VAMC......... under Diagnosis, got X's in Right Ear for Sensorineural hearing loss between 500-4000 Hz and frequency range of 6000 or higher,  and in Left Ear X's s for Mixed Hearing Loss, sensorieneural hearing loss in 500-4000 Hz and frequency range of 6000 and higher.  Hoping someone here can tell me something who can decipher what all this means.........basically did I pass or fail  my Hearing Test in VA's World? 

[Wayne TX]

I'm going to get another test done outside VA in the coming weeks where Maryland Test is available..........something is off.........my initial exam back in November, which was just testing me for hearing loss (open to any asking Vet by Appt. and Maryland also used) I scored 88 on Left Ear speech versus 94 on C&P last Thursday......on first test Right Ear 96 and it dropped just two points to 94 (reasonable variable) at C&P...............same Clinic, same room,  different examiners.  First guy was not doing a C&P......just score testing my hearing.   My scores were pretty much in line all the way across except for Speech Audiometry where I had suddenly improved 6 points in three months time.  It does not make a lot of sense that hearing or recognizing words better would improve that much in the space of just three months when all other numbers stayed in very close harmony.  One other note, I did when Examiner asked if my MOS would cause traumatic ear damage/noise during active duty as I was a Admin. Personnel Specialist for an Artillery Battalion (not in the field).  I was not in a combat area. I answered no.   I filed a DBQ with my Hearing Loss claim where Physician stated  "likely as not" s/c" secondary to my allergies and sinus s/c. I had no idea there was a nexus connection there until Physician informed me there was and that both can be linked medically to Hearing Loss citing journals and such...........so filed secondary to other s/c. My allergy s/c involved surgery and was granted 0% s/c at my discharge in 71.

Edited March 3, 2018 by Wayne TX
editing

[Buck52]

Wayne, find you a good  Dr that specializes in Otolaryngology  usually a ENT.MD

I used Dr Gregory Young  he has three office's Rockwall ,Forney ,Wylie.

It's been about 16 years ago but he and his office staff are fantastic people  they listen and was very helpful to me.

I simply ask them if they can help me out  and showed him the VA hearing test and some of my medical records that I had and some of my service records  as to what I did while in the military.

 I told him a little about the VA and the claims process..and ASK if he could help me out  by testing me using the VA Guidelines for Bilateral  Hearing loss, he said yes we can, I believe they called the VAMC in Dallas and ask about the Maryland CNC Word test...after the Dr talked to them at the Audiology Dept , he  said Yeah we can test you and we do use the Maryland CNC Word test.

I ask him if he could give his opinion on my hearing loss how severe or profound it is and word his opinion  like this =

 To whom this may concern ,

''After reading this veterans medical records and inservice records as to what his MOS was while in military it is likely as not his hearing loss is related or caused by his prior military service,Although other complications can be related.

I have examined and tested this Veteran Hearing (full name with SS#) for hearing loss and he has a profound Noise induced Bilateral hearing loss  and his word discrimination is of profound and very severe at 35%, using the Maryland CNC Word test...and he went on to describe his testing  decibels #s as to the severity of my hearing loss , he gave a great detail about it all and the reason bilateral hearing loss occurs from caused from  loud sudden Noise/ Sounds, both him and his Audiologist gave their professional opinion.

He even mention since this veteran has not been around loud noise Since his military days  as he states he does not hunt or fish.

His letter was neatly type and to the point..it was just 2 pages.

  He gave a great conclusion and his credentials   and mention if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at 972-***-****

I had a DRO Hearing at Waco and the DRO said that was one of the best IMO's he has ever seen, great detail.

  I won my claim on that after 4 years of Appeals. The DRO had my VSO to Expidite the entire claim TDIU P&T  with Conditions as of Nature and no future exams scheduled.

I was S.C.at 50% for hearing loss and filed for increase 3 times DENIED  because I got to where I could no longer work and you need to hear good for my line of work I was put in Voc Rehab and I had a letter from the Voc Rehab counselor that helped a great deal too,  he mention it is unfeasible to retain this veteran at this time because of his S.C. profound hearing loss..that letter they use in the decision for  the TDIU  P&T

 I am not sure what Dr Young's cost is now? I think I paid around 400.00 bucks but  that was 16 years ago.

They do take Insurance,  I just paid cash back then  but now I Understand a lot of these Dr' are in a group and not accept cash anymore  but I bet he will.

here is a link to his practice.

https://lakesideallergyent.com/about/our-doctors/dr-gregory-young/

 

 

Edited March 3, 2018 by Buck52

[Wayne TX]

Buck.....that's great info......I'm going to check that link out later tonight.   What you're saying makes a lot of sense.   I rarely have any bad things to say about my VA Healthcare but when it comes to C & P Exams the other guy/gal really holds your fate in their hands with a very simply stated opinion...."as likely not"......VA Physician wins with RO and RO is happy too and Vet just sits on Appeal hamster wheel for 2-4 years (many give up so another win for VA)...........he/she can make or break you as they effect the outcome seeking negatives  - not positives.   I truly believe they try to trip you up to write a deny.  Fanchner is a perfect example of someone that VA uses to do C&P Exams for ENT claims and no way he's Vet Friendly or wanting to help Vets win their claim.  I have had five C&P's to date and only one of them has acted friendly and that was contracted out to VSE..........all of em' at VAMC I've come across doing C&P had attitudes.  I have no trust level in VA C&P Examiners because  it's a good ol' boy network at both ends.   I am going to look into this and consider if I can afford. 

Edited March 4, 2018 by Wayne TX
edited