Hearing Loss in VA Disability Claims (General) Forum

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Hearing Loss

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cbarbie2000

Hearing Loss

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Posts: 316

Jan 3 09 8:21 PM

Tags : hearing, claims

We are waiting for my husband's claim to go through. But, I have a feeling we are going to have a problem with the hearing loss part. They've shown him a chart showing a dip in his hearing. But, they said it wasn't that bad.

Years ago he had a hearing test with our HMO and at that time they said he would benefit from a hearing aid. And, I know hearing aids help confuse the ringing of tinnitus. Some one else on the board said that to "imagine trying to hear in a busy Mexican restaurant". My husband goes in for another test this coming Friday. I have to be sure and remind him of that.

All I know I constantly repeat myself to him. And, I know he's not faking! I've been trying to get him in for a test again with our HMO so they can be compared.

The Chargers are playing for a "Wild Card" spot so I know now his hearing would be at zero percent if I tried to ask him something...

Thanks, Barb

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Duped

#1

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Posts: 786

Jan 3 09 11:35 PM

Even if he gets a 0% rating for hearing, the VA will then give him hearing aids and batteries.
I'm 0% hearing, and get new hearing aids every 2-3 years.
The pair I have now are 'in-canal', and require no setting changes.
They are fully automatic, even with phone calls.
No more squealing.

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SteamJockey

#2

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Posts: 7750

Jan 3 09 11:47 PM

Actually, anyone who is service connected for any compensable (10% or greater) condition is entitled to both corrective eyewear and hearing aids.

Regards;
SteamJockey, resident curmudgeon
50 years service to the Navy and the nation.

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NavyPS1

#3

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Posts: 31

Jan 4 09 3:46 PM

I guess I need to check into this at my local VAMC since I got my brown envelope last week that gave me 20% for hearing loss. Everyone has been telling me I need hearing aids including the QTC hearing examiner during my C&P exams last year. 20% may not seem bad but I came on active duty 20 years ago on a hearing waiver.

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Stillhere

#4

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Posts: 6639

Jan 5 09 4:54 PM

cbarbie2000 wrote:
We are waiting for my husband's claim to go through. But, I have a feeling we are going to have a problem with the hearing loss part. They've shown him a chart showing a dip in his hearing. But, they said it wasn't that bad.

Years ago he had a hearing test with our HMO and at that time they said he would benefit from a hearing aid. And, I know hearing aids help confuse the ringing of tinnitus. Some one else on the board said that to "imagine trying to hear in a busy Mexican restaurant". My husband goes in for another test this coming Friday. I have to be sure and remind him of that.

All I know I constantly repeat myself to him. And, I know he's not faking! I've been trying to get him in for a test again with our HMO so they can be compared.

The Chargers are playing for a "Wild Card" spot so I know now his hearing would be at zero percent if I tried to ask him something...

Thanks, Barb

Hey Barb, Hope you can help me, after the game ask your hubby what was his MOS? I see from one of your other post that he ran a generator shop in Nam. I worked similar and have lost most of my hearing in the right and the left has the aid. I too have the tinnitus and VA continues to denie. I am appealling and going in for another IMO tomorrow to get some more ammo. Good luck on his hearing and remember we really are not ignoring you! Huh???

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cbarbie2000

MOS?

#5

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Posts: 316

Jan 6 09 12:33 PM

Stillhere wrote:

cbarbie2000 wrote:
We are waiting for my husband's claim to go through. But, I have a feeling we are going to have a problem with the hearing loss part. They've shown him a chart showing a dip in his hearing. But, they said it wasn't that bad.

Years ago he had a hearing test with our HMO and at that time they said he would benefit from a hearing aid. And, I know hearing aids help confuse the ringing of tinnitus. Some one else on the board said that to "imagine trying to hear in a busy Mexican restaurant". My husband goes in for another test this coming Friday. I have to be sure and remind him of that.

All I know I constantly repeat myself to him. And, I know he's not faking! I've been trying to get him in for a test again with our HMO so they can be compared.

The Chargers are playing for a "Wild Card" spot so I know now his hearing would be at zero percent if I tried to ask him something...

Thanks, Barb

Hey Barb, Hope you can help me, after the game ask your hubby what was his MOS? I see from one of your other post that he ran a generator shop in Nam. I worked similar and have lost most of my hearing in the right and the left has the aid. I too have the tinnitus and VA continues to denie. I am appealling and going in for another IMO tomorrow to get some more ammo. Good luck on his hearing and remember we really are not ignoring you! Huh???

I'm sorry I just noticed this. He was in Nha Trang his second tour - 1969/1970. As, far as I can find his MOS has been 62B20. He had that from his first duty station in Germany until his last in Vietnam. He was a ENGR EQUIP RPMN. Or a combat engineer. It's listed on his DD-214.

My husband was wondering where you were stationed in Vietnam?

Thanks, Barb

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nighthawksh

#6

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Posts: 7461

Jan 6 09 12:52 PM

My claim for hearing loss was denied because I could not prove it was service connected, although I had done nothing since retiring to cause it. My hearing test during active duty did not show enough of a loss to warrant granting the claim, though they did show the loss was slowly getting worse. The tinnitus also got worse, but since the VA turned down my claim for hearing loss, I figured it would be a waste of time to file a claim on that. Now, I just live with the constant buzzing and having to ask my wife to repeat everything she says to me.

Barb, good luck to you and your husband.

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cbarbie2000

Don't give up!

#7

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Posts: 316

Jan 6 09 1:21 PM

Well, don't give up! Other's on the board have said even if you are rated at 0% you can still get free hearing aids. Between firing off rifles, going up in a land mine (in the back of a truck) to running a generator shop I hope he is rated. But, you can never tell. Among other things we submitted a list of things he had either driven or shot while he was in the service. There was a web-site that describes each thing and how loud they are. I showed each thing to my husband and he told me if he had driven it or shot it.

Thanks, Barbara

PS Unless he by some miracle - get's 100% or he gets enough for IU. If he is denied we'll keep fighting.

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shark59er

#8

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Posts: 475

Jan 6 09 2:00 PM

Don't give up!

Don't ever give up. It took me 5 years to get 10% Tinnitus, the backpay was great and needed it bad.

Also took about 5 years to get 0% hearing loss, which is on appeal. Even with the 0%, it service connects me so I can always file for an increase.

I cleared mine fields and booby traps on the "D" and the Batangon Peninsula. The Batangon Peninsula was where My Lai was located, the birth place of Ho Chi Mihn. The worst place I've ever been. We lost someone everyday to a mine or booby trap. Once the VC caught on to how we operated, they would hang them in trees with a delay so when we hit the tree, it would go off before hitting the ground. We were Rome Plow operators and the blast at 6 feet high would come back into our cabs.

I had to go to the National archives and get AA reports, I also got a private ENT to dispute what the VA said about my hearing loss. I went in with slight hearing loss in one ear but when I came out they didn' t give me a hearing test but my records show they did and shows my hearing normal. I was able to catch them in a lie when the ENT gave me a hearing test, read my SMR's and my SR's, he wrote a letter stating it couldn't be, there was no way my hearing improved while I was in Nam.

I'm not blaming the VA but that SOB that wrote the hearing test in my SMR's should have his lower unit thumped.

Shark

Shark

<<Click Here

Late 69, The "D", C2, A4, Cua Viet, Camp Carroll,
Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Mai Loc, Quang Tri, FSB Nancy,
FSB Barbara, Camp Evans, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, My Lai,
Batangan Peninsula, Athletic Field, left from Hill 43 Sept 1, 1970

Edited 2 times by shark59er Jan 6 09 2:42 PM.

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imjinscout

#9

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Posts: 2000

Jan 6 09 2:23 PM

Tinnitus sure ain't no fun. I've got the word "huh" down pat. I can even spell it backwards.

I have s.c. hearing loss = 0% and s.c. tinnitus = 10%

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Stillhere

#10

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Posts: 6639

Jan 6 09 3:16 PM

cbarbie2000 wrote:

Stillhere wrote:

cbarbie2000 wrote:
We are waiting for my husband's claim to go through. But, I have a feeling we are going to have a problem with the hearing loss part. They've shown him a chart showing a dip in his hearing. But, they said it wasn't that bad.

Years ago he had a hearing test with our HMO and at that time they said he would benefit from a hearing aid. And, I know hearing aids help confuse the ringing of tinnitus. Some one else on the board said that to "imagine trying to hear in a busy Mexican restaurant". My husband goes in for another test this coming Friday. I have to be sure and remind him of that.

All I know I constantly repeat myself to him. And, I know he's not faking! I've been trying to get him in for a test again with our HMO so they can be compared.

The Chargers are playing for a "Wild Card" spot so I know now his hearing would be at zero percent if I tried to ask him something...

Thanks, Barb

Hey Barb, Hope you can help me, after the game ask your hubby what was his MOS? I see from one of your other post that he ran a generator shop in Nam. I worked similar and have lost most of my hearing in the right and the left has the aid. I too have the tinnitus and VA continues to denie. I am appealling and going in for another IMO tomorrow to get some more ammo. Good luck on his hearing and remember we really are not ignoring you! Huh???

I'm sorry I just noticed this. He was in Nha Trang his second tour - 1969/1970. As, far as I can find his MOS has been 62B20. He had that from his first duty station in Germany until his last in Vietnam. He was a ENGR EQUIP RPMN. Or a combat engineer. It's listed on his DD-214.

My husband was wondering where you were stationed in Vietnam?

Thanks, Barb

I was in 69-71 Da Nang Red Beach worked on all the generators for CO. and on the flight line for the Huey's we were the support unit for 101 st up north. Also used to do courier runs up there.

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cpt george

#11

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Posts: 46

Jan 6 09 3:17 PM

imjinscout wrote:
Tinnitus sure ain't no fun. I've got the word "huh" down pat. I can even spell it backwards.

That's the standard greeting for the Hard Uf Hearing club. I joined it back in 1990.

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nighthawksh

#12

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Posts: 7461

Jan 7 09 11:14 AM

I realize I should probably not give up, but I don't see how I can take it any further. I just do not have enough evidence to support my claim. A VSO here said that is if I had been combat arms, I probably would have got approved. I don't know if he is right or not, but that angered me. (not at him, but at the system)

So, I will let it go. No use in wasting my time or the VAs.

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shark59er

#13

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Posts: 475

Jan 7 09 3:11 PM

I don't like the system nor do I agree with it. I have learned that some things are a given but other things have to be fought for. Tinnitus should be a given if you were around any loud noise in the service.

I remember the VA worded it like hearing trauma. Since my stressor letter was full of "hearing trauma" and I had some AA reports, I kept fighting until the end. The last C&P I had for tinnitus, all the guy asked was if I had been around any very loud noise in Vietnam. My answer was ofcourse, durring an ambush, we didn't know they had set mines up, AT mines. Sweeper missed the mine, the medic found it after the ambush.

I'm still fighting for hearing loss, I was awarded 0% SC, which is a starting point.

The thing that parsses me off most is the people that do hearing exams. One lady told me to get in the booth, I told her I just had a hearing test a month earlier when I was fitted with hearing aids. I asked if she had my C File, she answered yes. I asked if she had read it and she said no, it was too big. I had another lady tell me I needed to learn how to read lips, still another said the VA's equipment was too old and they needed newer equipment, after I complained about all the static in the headset.

Shark

Shark

<<Click Here

Late 69, The "D", C2, A4, Cua Viet, Camp Carroll,
Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Mai Loc, Quang Tri, FSB Nancy,
FSB Barbara, Camp Evans, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, My Lai,
Batangan Peninsula, Athletic Field, left from Hill 43 Sept 1, 1970

Edited 1 time by shark59er Jan 7 09 3:34 PM.

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Stillhere

#14

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Posts: 6639

Jan 7 09 6:08 PM

Shark, I am in the same boat now as you they have a falsefied hearing test coming out that shows normal hearing but the notes written by the DR states "high frequency hearing loss" and I do not remember getting a hearing test coming out at all. I was also turned down by the Navy because I flunked a hearing test.

Did you have to appeal all the way to the BVA?

I know you said it took you 5 years to get even SC but how did you do it?

Thanks, Stillhere

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cbarbie2000

Noise Levels of Common Army Equipment

#15

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Posts: 316

Jan 7 09 6:30 PM

This is the web-site I used to submit my husband's claim. He hasn't been rated so I don't if it will help? Going through my husband's hearing file I found the records I submitted from our HMO saying he had tinnitus ten years ago. Back then he said and they noted that is was because of weapons and going up in a land mine. They are already submitted but I think he should take copies for his next hearing test this Friday.

http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/hcp/noiselevels.aspx

Generators. Diesel powered generators form the Tactical Quiet Generator (TQG) series are quiet at the operator panel and other close-in areas if the covers are in place. Older generators have been loud with levels above 100 dBA at the panel and above 85 dBA up to several meters away. High levels are generated by TQG if the covers are removed.

It states DANGER is 80 and above. I don't know anything about generators but I bet the ones from Vietnam were a lot nosier...

MEP-802A	5 kW Tactical Quiet Generator(TQG)	Operator panel	Rated load	80
MEP-803A	10 kW TQG	Op panel	Rated load	81
MEP-804A	15 kW TQG	Op panel	Rated load	84
MEP-805A	30 kW TQG	Op panel	Rated load	84
MEP-806A	60 kW TQG	Op panel	Rated load	87

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Stillhere

#16

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Posts: 6639

Jan 7 09 7:20 PM

Thanks Barb, The two main generators I worked on for the company where 150KW but this is good info. Thanks,

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shark59er

#17

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Posts: 475

Jan 7 09 11:08 PM

Stillhere wrote:
Shark, I am in the same boat now as you they have a falsefied hearing test coming out that shows normal hearing but the notes written by the DR states "high frequency hearing loss" and I do not remember getting a hearing test coming out at all. I was also turned down by the Navy because I flunked a hearing test.

Did you have to appeal all the way to the BVA?

I know you said it took you 5 years to get even SC but how did you do it?

Thanks, Stillhere

My tinnitus claim went to the BVA, sat there 2 years and was remanded back to the RO. I was finally awarded 10%. The VA lost my hearing loss claim, I had to reopen it, they gave me 0%, I filed a NOD, received a letter that they received the NOD in Feb last year, haven't heard anything since. Hope they haven't lost it again. One of our medics wrote a letter explaining that I had hit a mine one day and was visibly shaken, there was no way he could communicate with me.

When I came out of the Army in 1971, There were about 50-60 of us in the same building for a physical. I can't remember them doing much at all except asking questions and telling us we were getting a 90 day drop.

They went on to say if they found any problems, we would have to remain in the military until we were treated. If you need a hearing test, get in this line. I knew I couldn't pass a hearing test, I just wanted to go home.

What I didn't know until I received my SMR's a few years back, the guys that didn't take the hearing test got straitlined with normal hearing in there records, signed by a Capt saying we took the test and our hearing was fine. They lied about it and there wasn't much I could do to correct it. Now they are saying my hearing loss is SC but they aren't going to compensate me for it.

Shark

Shark

<<Click Here

Late 69, The "D", C2, A4, Cua Viet, Camp Carroll,
Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Mai Loc, Quang Tri, FSB Nancy,
FSB Barbara, Camp Evans, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, My Lai,
Batangan Peninsula, Athletic Field, left from Hill 43 Sept 1, 1970

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herdgrunt

#18

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Posts: 5820

Jan 7 09 11:31 PM

stan sez: "A VSO here said that is if I had been combat arms, I probably would have got approved. I don't know if he is right or not, ..........."

stan, my friend, don't despair, I was combat arms, infantry even, and also blown up by a grenade at 5 feet, took most on my right side, and have a severe hearing loss in that ear. But, hearing was normal at Seperation so I was denied, they did give me tinnitus without me asking. I have thought about fighting the hearing thing, even my doc said it's a not brainer having been hit on that side by a grenade, but I just don't want to fight them anymore.

I just wanted to reply that even if "Combat Arms" it doesn't guarantee anything, at least not common sense on behalf of the Examiner./

",.....with the cross of Jesus, going on before."

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hutsky

#19

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Posts: 2787

Jan 8 09 12:19 AM

shark59er wrote:

My tinnitus claim went to the BVA, sat there 2 years and was remanded back to the RO. I was finally awarded 10%. The VA lost my hearing loss claim, I had to reopen it, they gave me 0%,
............

Now they are saying my hearing loss is SC but they aren't going to compensate me for it.

Shark, did your hearing loss warrant a rating higher than 0% using the VA's standard for compensating that disability? Short of a mistake I have never heard of a case where they did not follow this objective standard when awarding compensation for hearing loss. Your comment sounds like you believe they did in your case.

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shark59er

#20

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Posts: 475

Jan 8 09 10:47 AM

I've had 3 hearing tests and all 3 are different.
Cincinatti VAMC for C&P
Dayton VAMC for hearing aids
Private ENT

When the C&P was done and the audiologst says things like " Oh, I didn't know you had hearing aids in"...."You need to learn to read lips"....Our equipment is very old and we need new equipment"

Yes, I think it's worth the fight.

Do I think I'll win? ....No.

But...I did get SC'd....that means I can file for an increase if I feel my hearing is getting worse.

Shark

Shark

<<Click Here

Late 69, The "D", C2, A4, Cua Viet, Camp Carroll,
Cam Lo, Dong Ha, Mai Loc, Quang Tri, FSB Nancy,
FSB Barbara, Camp Evans, Phu Bai, Chu Lai, My Lai,
Batangan Peninsula, Athletic Field, left from Hill 43 Sept 1, 1970

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