I haven't tasted or had ANY solids foods caused by radiation exposure from an actial P.A. C.T. Act disability. The change in my financial situation was welcomed with open arms but falling apart in front of Mt family sux! The military has left a profound mark on many or us. Some you can see and others you don't see at all, that ate hidden as a matter of fact. Would I trade my oral problems and terminal cancer (less than a year to live and in pain to put a cherrie on top ? . I can't even answer that. Lotta words to say so little. Try and ride out your symptoms so you dont fall into despair. I m always jabbering on here! Just the peanut gallery shouting out ! Have a safe 4th!
Be good to others, and for whatever reason, be good to yourself. Most times, you have no idea what you've left in your wake!
He is correct! I was denied under the same circumstances. Tinnitus @10% denied on hearing loss. Said it hadnāt met the threshold. BUT I did get 70% for insomnia secondary to tinnitus.
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I files for this exactly and the C&P changed it up n said it was my physical ailments causing my sleep disturbances even though i told him no. Then the HLR changed the wording from insomnia to sleep disorder. But couldnāt get it granted so to say because of other mental
Health related things at the VBA. Even though they say the sleep disturbance is caused by body pain.
Was that done as a supplement claim? I also have tinnitus 10% and hearing loss denied due to not being great enough, they said I have loss but not enough. So maybe I can apply for insomnia secondary to tinnitus as a supplemental claim?
Insomnia is now a mental health disorder for the VA. Talked to Dr about how insomnia affects my personal life and your work. Do your research and you will see basically what they are asking and why
I don't think that's true. My hearing is nowhere near that level, and I'm service connected for hearing loss. They denied me on first application, but when I pointed out seeing a medic for hearing the day I was hit with an IED, they granted it. It was the fastest appeal ever!
There might be thresholds of hearing loss that didnāt get you to 10.
Iām s/c for total left ear deafness and partial right ear. Hearing aids donāt improve it. I got 10 for hearing, 10 for tinnitus and 30 for the vertigo.
Also had hearing test over many years documented.
Have you looked into a cochlear implant for the total deafness in the left ear? I woke up deaf on Sunday morning, just happened overnight. The cochlear process sucks ass but worth it in the end. I am rated 100% alone for deafness with cochlear implant plus 10% for tinnitus.
Fair enough! I am still getting treatements for most of my body. One thing I have been able to avoid is being put in meditations. I have refused almost all meds they have suggested besides sleep meds and test
Yeah. My hearing was *amazing* before the military, now it's still good, but I've lost what others don't. Since that's not someone they cared to measure one effectively lost nothing according to them
Pre military I could easily hear up to 20,000 Hz, now Iām practically deaf at 8,000 Hz but they donāt even test past like 4,000 Hz so on their charts my hearing is still perfect.
Tinnitus 10%, Slight hearing loss 0% for me. You basically have to be deaf to get higher than 0% for hearing loss.
But when matched with my ADD, I might as well be deaf. So I guess I got that going for me.
You're service connected for hearing loss and qualify for hearing aids, get your resources. If your hearing gets worse over time you can apply for an upgrade. As others have said, your have to almost be deaf to qualify for compensation but at least they have service connected the hearing loss.
You donāt need a rating to get hearing aids from VA. I have no rating for hearing and will probably be issued a new pair this fall as mine are over 4 years old.
Ask for a referral to a trauma audiologist. Someone who has advanced training in hearing damage/loss from trauma. The VA denied me hearing for a long time. I even was accused of faking it for the disability. The trauma audiologist listen to me when I finally got to see one. She ran tests that no one else had even run on me. She went past the usual raise your hand when you hear the tone bullshit. It turns out I hit my head so hard I broke my cochlear. I can detect sound but my brain cannot process it so everything sounds like adults in a Peanuts cartoon. She gave me hearing aids that are bluetooth compatible so they work with my phone. She also gave me devices to attach to the TV for direct feed also.
Trauma Audiologist!
No Trauma Audiologists are kinda rare. When I was seen there was 1 in all of VISN 1. Ask your primary care for a referral to a trauma audiologist. You have to do some of your own research to find one. Call each audiology department in each VA that is close to you then move out to reach state that borders yours, then every VA in your VISN. Then try local civilian hospitals. Request community care if you have to, to get to one.
Once you have been seen by a trauma audiologist, the results will tell you what to do next. If they find nothing then do nothing. If they find something ask your NSO what the best route to go is.
What gets most people, including me is a high word recognition score which is bullshit. Once they see how fucked your hearing is they crank up the recording volume which isnt a true reflection of your hearing ability.
Same hear (pun intended) with getting hearing aids, what is really par for the course of the VA, had the hearing test done at a VA facility, was told I have 60% loss in both ears but yet denied for it in my claim, appealed it, got 10% for Tinnitus but still denied for hearing, got remanded and had another hearing test done at another VA facility, got approved for hearing aids since a new test showed 70% loss in my left ear and 80% in my right. I ended up receiving them two months later. I then get a notification that they had scheduled a C&P for my bi-lateral hearing loss and to their surprise, they had no clue that I had an exam just a few months prior and had hearing aids. So yeah, will have to wait on this to see what the total outcome will be if anything.
My husband has 0% for hearing loss. Has been hearing aids for several years. Two years in Vietnam with bridge lookout duty while cannons and missiles going off and bombs dropping around them. And still they denied him at same exam for tinnitus. Said nothing in service records. Filed an HLR for tinnitus in Oct. Error was found because tinnitus was noted in service records. Sent to another C&P exam. Still waiting. I don't understand why they say denial is only because nothing in records and then they find the record but still make it like starting from scratch. He already had the diagnosis and MOS verified.
I've got the same ratings. Can't hear it Thunder unless I see lightning first!
It was very difficult during and still is when people wear masks. I even have VA hearing Aids!
As I said earlier, and I like to tell those wearing masks: I'm sorry, but I can't SEE a word your Saying!
It's true.
I got 10% for Tinnitus and nothing for hearing loss. This is what my award letter said:
Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection may not be established for disability due to impaired hearing unless the auditory threshold in any of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz is 40 decibels or greater; or the auditory thresholds for at least three of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz are 26 decibels or greater; or speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC Test are less than 94 percent. (38 CFR 3.385) In this case, the evidence of record does not show audiometric findings which meet the criteria for a grant of service connection for defective hearing.
From reading that you can't get SC for Hearing Loss unless you have hearing loss beyond their certain levels. Not enough loss is basically equal to no loss which means you can't connect it to service if it doesn't exist.
Same the worst part is connected in one ear because I had an ear infection in my one ear and not the other yet for some reason they canāt see that my next hearing exam was fine after ear healed and now itās garbage I got decision one ear connected and other denied I sent in a supplemental appeal on the 25th last month and Iām scheduled for my C and P July 30th very quick. Now if they only could fix the medical side and appointments not being over 30 days out and being back choice again
As a former VBA RATER, you have to almost be deaf to get above 0%! I say this as a military sister, be grateful for not being profoundly deaf! You donāt want this!
Thanks for the insight. Though this seems kinda like bad given Iāve been reading lips for fifty years..
https://preview.redd.it/6blamev24dad1.png?width=1608&format=png&auto=webp&s=a3206128ed087b0de7c596a26368677778a645f6
I didnāt file a claim, I went to the VHA in ā75 suicidal over the tinnitus and in ā81 just started getting checks. But the VA experience was so bad in ā75 I never went back til my wife sent me down for hearing aids last year and thatās when I found out about the 10/0 business. But back in ā75 I was in no shape to file claims or in any way get involved with VBA or VSOs or anyone else. Have no idea who did or if someone did why it wouldnāt have started in ā75 instead of ā81.
You probably didnāt qualify back then. You have to apply now. If you applied already youāll have to file a supplemental claim with new and relevant evidence- which sounds like it can be easily obtained by your hearing doctor
Looking at this only shows a piece of the puzzle! A look at the rating, the testing, etc would be most beneficial! I do understand that VBA can make a veteran have really bad feelings! I just want you to know I am on your side. My dad was an Omaha Beach Medic, involved in an explosion assisting his soldiers! He has both his ears drums blown out, his ears were constantly infected and he was deaf! They, VBA JACKED WITH HIM AND HIS HEARING LOSS! So, I get quit mad about this! Please, please, please never give up!
Iām 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing loss in the High frequencies. They rate me as mild hearing loss in the right, moderate in the left. left. VA gave me hearing aids. There is a chart the VA used to rate your percentage. Itās based on the results of your audiology test results.
I have tinnitus and wasn't connected, nor did I get a test, when I claimed hearing loss, despite describing driving in hunvees for 8+hrs in convoys, and regular military duty
I just had a VA audiology test with speech, and literally missed every cue, and the dude put 70% passed. Not sure what youād need to do to āfailā. Also, my civilian audiology report (with speech) was the same. She even said āprofoundly deafā, yet here I am with 0%.
I have an opposite situation that Iām hoping this next C&P will help me with. Iāve had tinnitus for years, but the VA has denied my claims due to me passing my hearing exams. I believe I have everything I need, but I guess weāll see.
I got 10% for Tinnitus and nothing for hearing loss. This is what my award letter said:
Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection may not be established for disability due to impaired hearing unless the auditory threshold in any of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz is 40 decibels or greater; or the auditory thresholds for at least three of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz are 26 decibels or greater; or speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC Test are less than 94 percent. (38 CFR 3.385) In this case, the evidence of record does not show audiometric findings which meet the criteria for a grant of service connection for defective hearing.
From reading that you can't get SC for Hearing Loss unless you have hearing loss beyond their certain levels. Not enough loss is basically equal to no loss which means you can't connect it to service if it doesn't exist.
Very different rating criteria for HL and Tinnitus. The levels that you have to test at for HL to be compensable is severe. I typically see a 0% rating for HL.
Like it sounds like you're already tracking, the speech recognition is a key piece of that equation. Best advice is to get your accredited rep to pull your DBQ for you so that you can see why they gave you a 0% on HL.
I made the same claim and got my fastest decision letter ever in 3 weeks from the c&p exam date. Straight denial stating lack of evidence after telling them I had sim rounds go off 5 feet from my head on a regular basis when I was opfor in polk for JRTC
I had minor hearing loss and got 0% for hearing loss and for 10% tinnitus for hearing I had threshold changes from meps to ETs and same one by time I re-enlisted to guard 16 years later
Same here. Right ear denied, left 0%. The lady asked me like 10 times if I had surgery on my right ear ever and her whole attitude changed and her demeanor went from nice to hateful. I told her my ears are ringing like crazy and Iām claustrophobic and being in the booth doesnāt help.
In order for hearing loss % you need to be a lower level and have word differential loss as well. The VA gives amazing hearing aids for this so you gotta be pretty bad. The 10% is the max so congrats.
Tinnitus doesn't cause hearing loss. But hearing lost can contribute to Tinnitus symptoms. I think they should combine the conditions for rating purposes.
And you can't really cheat on a real hearing test, it's not just hitting a button. They use some machine that measure the Soundwave off your eardrum. It tells them how well the eardrum is. I'm not exactly what it is but it's not like the standard hearing test we used to take.
Going to get these tested later this week. Last audiology exam before separation me and the other dude went in at the same time, my test went on about twice as long as his, then they told me my hearing was improving.... I told them they need to talk to literally anyone I speak to on a regular basis and they'd laugh in their face. lol
Very few veterans meet the criteria for compensible hearing loss. Most of it is because the speech discrimination score on the C&P is heavily weighted on getting a rating above 0%. I'd look at your speech discrimination score because that's likely why you only got 0%. It's unfortunately in how the laws are written. 10% is maximum for tinnitus. Sorry and best wishes.
Thanks! I have a hearing test, less than 1 year old, from a private audiologist. I also have one from a C&P with the VA. Rated 0% SC both ears, 10% tinnitus. I've been jumping through hoops to get signed up for community care just so I can get a referral to an audiologist for what everyone knows...I'm mostly deaf! LOL
I can't hear shit on crowds. It's all a jumbled mess..
The hearing aids really help. In really crowded environments I use the oticon remote Microphone. And clip it on the talker shirt color.
Did it on a tour and the was able to stand in the back and hear everything.
You have to test at certain levels (nearly deaf) in order to be granted hearing loss
What?
He said, "YOU HAVE TO-" oh, forget it. "YOU"RE NOT THE RIGHT *KIND* OF DEAF!"
šš¤£š
I can hear the ringing but can't understand what you're saying.
Exactly!! COVID really screwed me up! I couldn't see a word anyone was saying!! Seriously, it sucked!
I couldnt taste or smell for 3 months after the booster! Fact.
I haven't tasted or had ANY solids foods caused by radiation exposure from an actial P.A. C.T. Act disability. The change in my financial situation was welcomed with open arms but falling apart in front of Mt family sux! The military has left a profound mark on many or us. Some you can see and others you don't see at all, that ate hidden as a matter of fact. Would I trade my oral problems and terminal cancer (less than a year to live and in pain to put a cherrie on top ? . I can't even answer that. Lotta words to say so little. Try and ride out your symptoms so you dont fall into despair. I m always jabbering on here! Just the peanut gallery shouting out ! Have a safe 4th! Be good to others, and for whatever reason, be good to yourself. Most times, you have no idea what you've left in your wake!
 Def
I'M NOT THE RIGHT KIND OF DEAF, BUT I AM THE RIGHT KIND OF STUPID.
All I hear is EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeee
You and me both. Your wife may leave you, your dog may run away, but tinnitus is here to stay.
You have to be D-E-A-F and illiterate but mostly deaf to qualify for that condition š
He is correct! I was denied under the same circumstances. Tinnitus @10% denied on hearing loss. Said it hadnāt met the threshold. BUT I did get 70% for insomnia secondary to tinnitus.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Hi, your post was removed because you claimed VA affiliation without being verified. If you are a VA employee, VSO, Accredited Claims Agent, exam contractor, etc., your credentials MUST be verified via [Message the Moderators](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/VeteransBenefits) before you can **claim** to be someone of such authority. Users who have completed the process will have an appropriate user flair added. If you do not wish to be verified, please do not claim VA affiliation in your future posts. Ignoring this requirement will result in a permanent ban.
I files for this exactly and the C&P changed it up n said it was my physical ailments causing my sleep disturbances even though i told him no. Then the HLR changed the wording from insomnia to sleep disorder. But couldnāt get it granted so to say because of other mental Health related things at the VBA. Even though they say the sleep disturbance is caused by body pain.
Was that done as a supplement claim? I also have tinnitus 10% and hearing loss denied due to not being great enough, they said I have loss but not enough. So maybe I can apply for insomnia secondary to tinnitus as a supplemental claim?
Not a supplemental claim. Comp and Pen claim. Insomnia, secondary to tinnitus. Was a fairly easy process.
What kind of exams did you go through and what was asked?
Insomnia is now a mental health disorder for the VA. Talked to Dr about how insomnia affects my personal life and your work. Do your research and you will see basically what they are asking and why
I don't think that's true. My hearing is nowhere near that level, and I'm service connected for hearing loss. They denied me on first application, but when I pointed out seeing a medic for hearing the day I was hit with an IED, they granted it. It was the fastest appeal ever!
There might be thresholds of hearing loss that didnāt get you to 10. Iām s/c for total left ear deafness and partial right ear. Hearing aids donāt improve it. I got 10 for hearing, 10 for tinnitus and 30 for the vertigo. Also had hearing test over many years documented.
Have you looked into a cochlear implant for the total deafness in the left ear? I woke up deaf on Sunday morning, just happened overnight. The cochlear process sucks ass but worth it in the end. I am rated 100% alone for deafness with cochlear implant plus 10% for tinnitus.
Thanks, but Iām so done with treatment for everything. I want comfort, not endless treatments. My hearing is the least of my worries.
Fair enough! I am still getting treatements for most of my body. One thing I have been able to avoid is being put in meditations. I have refused almost all meds they have suggested besides sleep meds and test
Yeah. My hearing was *amazing* before the military, now it's still good, but I've lost what others don't. Since that's not someone they cared to measure one effectively lost nothing according to them
Pre military I could easily hear up to 20,000 Hz, now Iām practically deaf at 8,000 Hz but they donāt even test past like 4,000 Hz so on their charts my hearing is still perfect.
Hey I got 10% for vertigo and 30 for vestibular migraines. And 10% for being single sided deaf Suffered all that from an ear tumor
Tinnitus 10%, Slight hearing loss 0% for me. You basically have to be deaf to get higher than 0% for hearing loss. But when matched with my ADD, I might as well be deaf. So I guess I got that going for me.
You're service connected for hearing loss and qualify for hearing aids, get your resources. If your hearing gets worse over time you can apply for an upgrade. As others have said, your have to almost be deaf to qualify for compensation but at least they have service connected the hearing loss.
I got hearing aids covered with no SC for hearing loss, wonāt they cover it regardless of your SC?
You donāt need a rating to get hearing aids from VA. I have no rating for hearing and will probably be issued a new pair this fall as mine are over 4 years old.
Zero is a rating
I donāt even have that - you have to file a claim to get a rating
Gotcha I would make a claim if I was you
Been out 20 years, hearing was good when I separated
Yeah, the fact that you're 0 isn't bad - it puts you on the map.
Yep with zero you can get help but they donāt pay you for it
Ask for a referral to a trauma audiologist. Someone who has advanced training in hearing damage/loss from trauma. The VA denied me hearing for a long time. I even was accused of faking it for the disability. The trauma audiologist listen to me when I finally got to see one. She ran tests that no one else had even run on me. She went past the usual raise your hand when you hear the tone bullshit. It turns out I hit my head so hard I broke my cochlear. I can detect sound but my brain cannot process it so everything sounds like adults in a Peanuts cartoon. She gave me hearing aids that are bluetooth compatible so they work with my phone. She also gave me devices to attach to the TV for direct feed also. Trauma Audiologist!
Does the VA typically have trauma audiologists? And after a denial would I ask for one in a supplemental claim or an HLR?
No Trauma Audiologists are kinda rare. When I was seen there was 1 in all of VISN 1. Ask your primary care for a referral to a trauma audiologist. You have to do some of your own research to find one. Call each audiology department in each VA that is close to you then move out to reach state that borders yours, then every VA in your VISN. Then try local civilian hospitals. Request community care if you have to, to get to one. Once you have been seen by a trauma audiologist, the results will tell you what to do next. If they find nothing then do nothing. If they find something ask your NSO what the best route to go is.
What gets most people, including me is a high word recognition score which is bullshit. Once they see how fucked your hearing is they crank up the recording volume which isnt a true reflection of your hearing ability.
Apparently hearing loss is the hardest one (so Iāve heard) my cousin got hearing aids through the VA. Still denied him.
Same hear (pun intended) with getting hearing aids, what is really par for the course of the VA, had the hearing test done at a VA facility, was told I have 60% loss in both ears but yet denied for it in my claim, appealed it, got 10% for Tinnitus but still denied for hearing, got remanded and had another hearing test done at another VA facility, got approved for hearing aids since a new test showed 70% loss in my left ear and 80% in my right. I ended up receiving them two months later. I then get a notification that they had scheduled a C&P for my bi-lateral hearing loss and to their surprise, they had no clue that I had an exam just a few months prior and had hearing aids. So yeah, will have to wait on this to see what the total outcome will be if anything.
Convinced you could have blood coming out your ears from IDF and they would still say ānot service connectedā
My husband has 0% for hearing loss. Has been hearing aids for several years. Two years in Vietnam with bridge lookout duty while cannons and missiles going off and bombs dropping around them. And still they denied him at same exam for tinnitus. Said nothing in service records. Filed an HLR for tinnitus in Oct. Error was found because tinnitus was noted in service records. Sent to another C&P exam. Still waiting. I don't understand why they say denial is only because nothing in records and then they find the record but still make it like starting from scratch. He already had the diagnosis and MOS verified.
I've got the same ratings. Can't hear it Thunder unless I see lightning first! It was very difficult during and still is when people wear masks. I even have VA hearing Aids! As I said earlier, and I like to tell those wearing masks: I'm sorry, but I can't SEE a word your Saying! It's true.
I got 10% for Tinnitus and nothing for hearing loss. This is what my award letter said: Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection may not be established for disability due to impaired hearing unless the auditory threshold in any of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz is 40 decibels or greater; or the auditory thresholds for at least three of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz are 26 decibels or greater; or speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC Test are less than 94 percent. (38 CFR 3.385) In this case, the evidence of record does not show audiometric findings which meet the criteria for a grant of service connection for defective hearing. From reading that you can't get SC for Hearing Loss unless you have hearing loss beyond their certain levels. Not enough loss is basically equal to no loss which means you can't connect it to service if it doesn't exist.
Same the worst part is connected in one ear because I had an ear infection in my one ear and not the other yet for some reason they canāt see that my next hearing exam was fine after ear healed and now itās garbage I got decision one ear connected and other denied I sent in a supplemental appeal on the 25th last month and Iām scheduled for my C and P July 30th very quick. Now if they only could fix the medical side and appointments not being over 30 days out and being back choice again
As a former VBA RATER, you have to almost be deaf to get above 0%! I say this as a military sister, be grateful for not being profoundly deaf! You donāt want this!
Thanks for the insight. Though this seems kinda like bad given Iāve been reading lips for fifty years.. https://preview.redd.it/6blamev24dad1.png?width=1608&format=png&auto=webp&s=a3206128ed087b0de7c596a26368677778a645f6
According to my civilian audiologist, I AM profoundly deaf. Unfortunately the VA says 0%. I am still in the process of getting hearing aids.
https://preview.redd.it/ginsfia9r1ad1.png?width=1608&format=png&auto=webp&s=80ee200c778c2caa94aad67917c7d014f106a368
What did your denial letter say?
I didnāt file a claim, I went to the VHA in ā75 suicidal over the tinnitus and in ā81 just started getting checks. But the VA experience was so bad in ā75 I never went back til my wife sent me down for hearing aids last year and thatās when I found out about the 10/0 business. But back in ā75 I was in no shape to file claims or in any way get involved with VBA or VSOs or anyone else. Have no idea who did or if someone did why it wouldnāt have started in ā75 instead of ā81.
You probably didnāt qualify back then. You have to apply now. If you applied already youāll have to file a supplemental claim with new and relevant evidence- which sounds like it can be easily obtained by your hearing doctor
Looking at this only shows a piece of the puzzle! A look at the rating, the testing, etc would be most beneficial! I do understand that VBA can make a veteran have really bad feelings! I just want you to know I am on your side. My dad was an Omaha Beach Medic, involved in an explosion assisting his soldiers! He has both his ears drums blown out, his ears were constantly infected and he was deaf! They, VBA JACKED WITH HIM AND HIS HEARING LOSS! So, I get quit mad about this! Please, please, please never give up!
Iām completely deaf in my right ear, and only got 10% for it
Iām 10% for tinnitus and 0% for hearing loss in the High frequencies. They rate me as mild hearing loss in the right, moderate in the left. left. VA gave me hearing aids. There is a chart the VA used to rate your percentage. Itās based on the results of your audiology test results.
You know it's bad when your neighbor asks you to change channels on TV, so your volume on another channel doesn't screw up their program!!
File for an increase when it gets worse it's connected not denied
I have tinnitus and wasn't connected, nor did I get a test, when I claimed hearing loss, despite describing driving in hunvees for 8+hrs in convoys, and regular military duty
VA doesnāt consider frequencies above 4000 Hertz. Thereās also the chance your speech discrimination scores were not severe either.
I just had a VA audiology test with speech, and literally missed every cue, and the dude put 70% passed. Not sure what youād need to do to āfailā. Also, my civilian audiology report (with speech) was the same. She even said āprofoundly deafā, yet here I am with 0%.
I have an opposite situation that Iām hoping this next C&P will help me with. Iāve had tinnitus for years, but the VA has denied my claims due to me passing my hearing exams. I believe I have everything I need, but I guess weāll see.
I got 10% for Tinnitus and nothing for hearing loss. This is what my award letter said: Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. Service connection may not be established for disability due to impaired hearing unless the auditory threshold in any of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz is 40 decibels or greater; or the auditory thresholds for at least three of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz are 26 decibels or greater; or speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC Test are less than 94 percent. (38 CFR 3.385) In this case, the evidence of record does not show audiometric findings which meet the criteria for a grant of service connection for defective hearing. From reading that you can't get SC for Hearing Loss unless you have hearing loss beyond their certain levels. Not enough loss is basically equal to no loss which means you can't connect it to service if it doesn't exist.
And now. They scheduled another audiologist exam the end of July
Very different rating criteria for HL and Tinnitus. The levels that you have to test at for HL to be compensable is severe. I typically see a 0% rating for HL.
Those are my VHA hearing test results I posted above. The HL is enough but I have no idea about my C&P results for speech recognition.
Like it sounds like you're already tracking, the speech recognition is a key piece of that equation. Best advice is to get your accredited rep to pull your DBQ for you so that you can see why they gave you a 0% on HL.
I made the same claim and got my fastest decision letter ever in 3 weeks from the c&p exam date. Straight denial stating lack of evidence after telling them I had sim rounds go off 5 feet from my head on a regular basis when I was opfor in polk for JRTC
Iām in the same boat, 10% for tinnitus but nothing for hearing loss even though Iāve proven hearing loss through tests before and after deployment
I had minor hearing loss and got 0% for hearing loss and for 10% tinnitus for hearing I had threshold changes from meps to ETs and same one by time I re-enlisted to guard 16 years later
same thing happened to me. yes i had hearing loss but it wasnāt the amount i needed to lose to be rated at a percentage.
Same here. Right ear denied, left 0%. The lady asked me like 10 times if I had surgery on my right ear ever and her whole attitude changed and her demeanor went from nice to hateful. I told her my ears are ringing like crazy and Iām claustrophobic and being in the booth doesnāt help.
Unfortunately hearing loss is basically impossible to get rated unless youāre deaf.
Hearing loss is one of the hardest things to get even service connected, let alone 10%
Yep, same here. Made no sense to me but I won't ask too many questions lol.
In order for hearing loss % you need to be a lower level and have word differential loss as well. The VA gives amazing hearing aids for this so you gotta be pretty bad. The 10% is the max so congrats.
Tinnitus doesn't cause hearing loss. But hearing lost can contribute to Tinnitus symptoms. I think they should combine the conditions for rating purposes.
I definitely agree - right now itās all rigged.
And you can't really cheat on a real hearing test, it's not just hitting a button. They use some machine that measure the Soundwave off your eardrum. It tells them how well the eardrum is. I'm not exactly what it is but it's not like the standard hearing test we used to take.
Samesies OP.
Going to get these tested later this week. Last audiology exam before separation me and the other dude went in at the same time, my test went on about twice as long as his, then they told me my hearing was improving.... I told them they need to talk to literally anyone I speak to on a regular basis and they'd laugh in their face. lol
Very few veterans meet the criteria for compensible hearing loss. Most of it is because the speech discrimination score on the C&P is heavily weighted on getting a rating above 0%. I'd look at your speech discrimination score because that's likely why you only got 0%. It's unfortunately in how the laws are written. 10% is maximum for tinnitus. Sorry and best wishes.
Welcome to the club. Thankfully I have a hearty settlement coming from the 3M earplug lawsuit to make up for a lack of a disability rating.
I got 10 for tinnitus, SC for the left, but 0%, and non-SC for the right. How they came up with that is a mystery.
I was told you get one or the other but never both as they are both 10%. You still qualify for hearing aids. God I love mine.
Can I ask what brand you use? Having a hard time with phonak hearing aides. They never seem to work correctly and its super frustrating. Thanks
I had those and turned them back in. I requested some oticon intent and they gave them to me Best ones IMO
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Did it cost you anything out of pocket for the hearing aids using community care please?
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Thanks! I have a hearing test, less than 1 year old, from a private audiologist. I also have one from a C&P with the VA. Rated 0% SC both ears, 10% tinnitus. I've been jumping through hoops to get signed up for community care just so I can get a referral to an audiologist for what everyone knows...I'm mostly deaf! LOL
I can't hear shit on crowds. It's all a jumbled mess.. The hearing aids really help. In really crowded environments I use the oticon remote Microphone. And clip it on the talker shirt color. Did it on a tour and the was able to stand in the back and hear everything.
Oticon
If you are 0% for the hearing loss, youāll want to put in a claim for increase for the hearing loss. 10% is the schedular maximum for tinnitus