hearing test results on tinnitus claim

[osidevet]

A question for anyone who is familiar with hearing tests - the difference in my hearing between entry physical and ETS physical has one left ear frequency reading of 5db loss, the rest for both ears are all 15 or 20 db loss, but all within "normal" hearing range. I am not claiming hearing disability.

According to my denial letter, the C&P audiologist noted that  "no shift in audiometric thresholds were reported" .

How can they come to that conclusion when it is in my service records? My argument is that this indicates deterioration/hearing loss while active duty, they seem to disagree. 

What am I missing with this? Thanks!

Edited May 10, 2020 by osidevet

[Buck52]

JUST ABOUT 99% Of the time we all get denied for hearing loss first time around.

 you quoted this?

''I am not claiming hearing disability.''?

Once your denied for hearing loss, if the hearing test you did was by the VA , you need to go to a private Audiologist preferably a specialist  like an E.N.T. that is state license and certified.

Ask him to test you and use the VA GUIDELINES set forth in the 38 CFR's using the Maryland CD  CNC WORD  (Word Discrimination test) 

Let him read your medical records that pertain to your hearing ,tell him about your entry exam and your ETS ....> the drop in your hearing loss while in military  ect,,,ect,,, and show him your last test results of the VA Hearing test (you need this test  you can get it  through your release of medical records at your VA  just let them know the date of the test  , you will need to sign the  FOIA ''For release of your medical records.

You may have noise induced hearing loss ? (bilaterally) both ears, ask the Audiologist to give his professional opinion on that! 

Ask the Audiologist to compare these test and if you show you do have loss of hearing ask him to what degree?  and if that shows you have in fact have loss of hearing, depending on the numbers as to how your rated  member broncovet and Mod  HE KNOWS HOW TO READ THE VA HEARING CHART FOR HEARING LOSS RATINGS.

Ask this Audiologist  to write you a medical opinion that your hearing loss is likely as not caused by your military service due to being around loud noise   that it caused your inner ear drum damage  (he needs to rational) that statement  (explain why?) that should get you service connected,

your MOS maybe why you have noise induced hearing loss?

After that if you keep getting denials Appeal it until your service connected,  once service connected  then appeal the denials for hearing loss  until you get the correct rating, if the VA Screws up makes an error in your ratings  the you may have a CUE Claim

As for as getting tinnitus you need to tell the Audiologist that you hear a ringing /buzzing/  cricket sounds in your head and they should note it  Tinnitus is a 10% rating for both ears , there is no test for tinnitus, this is why the veteran himself needs to let the Audiologist   know you have it.

 

With the VA they should service connect you at 0% even if you do show a loss of hearing    because the VA GUIDLINES for hearing loss is set very high  you need to be darn near deaf to get a rating for hearing loss  but the do use a Private Specialist opinion.

 

§4.85   Evaluation of hearing impairment.

(a) An examination for hearing impairment for VA purposes must be conducted by a state-licensed audiologist and must include a controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) and a puretone audiometry test. Examinations will be conducted without the use of hearing aids.

(b) Table VI, “Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Puretone Threshold Average and Speech Discrimination,” is used to determine a Roman numeral designation (I through XI) for hearing impairment based on a combination of the percent of speech discrimination (horizontal rows) and the puretone threshold average (vertical columns). The Roman numeral designation is located at the point where the percentage of speech discrimination and puretone threshold average intersect.

(c) Table VIa, “Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based Only on Puretone Threshold Average,” is used to determine a Roman numeral designation (I through XI) for hearing impairment based only on the puretone threshold average. Table VIa will be used when the examiner certifies that use of the speech discrimination test is not appropriate because of language difficulties, inconsistent speech discrimination scores, etc., or when indicated under the provisions of §4.86.

(d) “Puretone threshold average,” as used in Tables VI and VIa, is the sum of the puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz, divided by four. This average is used in all cases (including those in §4.86) to determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from Table VI or VIa.

(e) Table VII, “Percentage Evaluations for Hearing Impairment,” is used to determine the percentage evaluation by combining the Roman numeral designations for hearing impairment of each ear. The horizontal rows represent the ear having the better hearing and the vertical columns the ear having the poorer hearing. The percentage evaluation is located at the point where the row and column intersect.

(f) If impaired hearing is service-connected in only one ear, in order to determine the percentage evaluation from Table VII, the non-service-connected ear will be assigned a Roman Numeral designation for hearing impairment of I, subject to the provisions of §3.383 of this chapter.

(g) When evaluating any claim for impaired hearing, refer to §3.350 of this chapter to determine whether the veteran may be entitled to special monthly compensation due either to deafness, or to deafness in combination with other specified disabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 10, 2020 by Buck52

[osidevet]

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it.

My hearing loss is not profound, in fact my hearing is within "normal" range, and I am not filing a claim for that.

My claim is for tinnitus, which is constant and profound, and they are denying service connection. That is why I ask the question - how can the C&P say no hearing loss while on active duty when the entry and exit tests show it? I don't understand their rationale, the letter states that during active duty "no shift in audiometric thresholds" from my C&P examiner.

Edited May 10, 2020 by osidevet

[brokensoldier244th]

Their testing threshold aren’t any different than anyone else’s. Were  you specific in asking for tinnitus when you filed? Cause it sounds like the examiner is only examining for hearing loss. If you don’t specifically ask about tinnitus or ringing in your ears they won’t infer it.

[osidevet]

Yes, tinnitus is what I filed for. C&P did full hearing workup, hearing within normal limits.We discussed when tinnitus started, I described having issues while on active duty,  and apparently examiner granted existence of my tinnitus. But she denied service connection since I didn't complain during active service, and noted  "no shift in audiometric thresholds were reported" . That statement is what I am questioning - how can they say that when service physicals clearly show hearing degradation during term of service? Several other factual errors in the denial letter that I will address, this one just doesn't make sense.

Thanks.

[brokensoldier244th]

She saying exactly what you did. Your hearing didn’t change enough to be considered hearing loss.

 

http://www.earinfo.com/how-to-read-a-hearing-aid-test/

[GBArmy]

I think you should file for an appeal, either HLR or, with additional evidence from a private doc, a supplemental claim. You didn't post your decision letter, but if it said in writing that you are denied Tinnitus because you didn't complain in service is not a correct decision; you can develop it later.There is no time requirement on diagnostic code 6200. It can start while in the service or some time after you get out. The fact that you have "some" loss of hearing, although it did not meet the minimum requirements for a rated disability, is evidence in your record of a problem.. In addition. Tinnitus and hearing loss are two separate disabilities and are rated separately. What was your mos? If your service records show that your job exposed you to loud noises, that is also evidence for service connection.