Hearing loss & tinnitus

Tinnitus is now a forum which is sent to your family Doctor and requires to be filled out . Which also requires another audiologist appointment for testing .. my application for hearing loss is completed .. tinnitus application is more in-depth than what is was for my hearing loss .VAC is sending the forums to Family Doctor as i was informed by my case manager today .

Hope this helps others in the process.. for claiming hearing loss and tinnitus.. just means double everything. So when you apply for both set up everything in 1 appointment rather than going back and forth like me .. lol

Update applied hearing loss tinnitus December 03/19. Lasted1 month at step 1 than showed claim withdrawn for about 6 weeks until I found out they were questioning the qualifications of my audiologist, 6 weeks later 2nd audiologist paperwork has finally been put in the system . 4 months finally back to step 1. Hoping to hit step 3 soon . So the 16-20 week adjudication can begin . So with all things considered hearing and tinnitus, they claimed are the fastest processing times , will hit a year now also . Not grumbling , just an update of situation.

Times are a-changing.
I have some hearing loss and the ringing is steady 24/7.
I had it for 40 yrs. Likely due to 70 music and my career.
Jimmy Hendrix and military.
You do not need pensionable hearing loss for a tinnitus claim.  
I didn't even know tinnitus was a problem it been part of life forever.
When I found out the condition was pensionable I went for it!
They said my hearing loss wasnt bad enough! It on appeal!

KetchupKD .. I wonder how you got diagnosed tinnitus but not hearing loss ? The ringing in my ears is pretty loud ... and I would certainly think it would impair hearing . Could you not prove hearing loss was service related ? My first claim was to VAC in 2002 for hearing loss ... which is still on myvac benefits history .. it just states withdrawn ... but yah my life went to crap around the same time .

My hearing loss was about an hour and several tests .. it was the normal test with headset on .. than test with the speakers behind the ears bone conductor .. than a white noise in left right ears with sounds in the opposite, than constant tones in left right ear with sounds in the opposite increasing volumes different tones ... than repeating sentences...I live south of Edmonton and VAC referred the clinic .

My audiologist said for tinnitus .. VAC requests Doctor referral now.. VAC / CM new my condition.. they tested both and sending results to my family Doctor.. who I see next week.

ppclicaper:
Can you tell me what is the test for tinnitus?  It usually is do you have ringing in your ears?
I had my hearing tested in Blue Quill South Edmonton 3 years ago.
The tinnitus test was: Do you have ringing in your ears? -
Answer: Yes, I do and I would like to try a masking device.
No doctor referral required and they sent the results/report  off to Veteran affairs
25 weeks later approval for 12%-tinnitus 0% for hearing loss.
Approx-$44000 buckaroos!

My audiologist appointment I was tested for both , tinnitus and hearing loss. My audiologist stated that VAC requests you see family Doctor for a referral to see audiologist for tinnitus. But I got lost in the fact they are separate hearing loss and tinnitus claims . The audiologist is sending family Doctor the results .. and the appointment now is just a follow up with him I guess or a confirmation for paperwork with VAC ..

Thank you all for the information and guidance . It was extremely helpful.

As Per https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/about-vac/legislation-policies/policies/document/1068

24 Since April 1, 2006, there have been entitlement and assessment criteria for “tinnitus” as a disability separate and distinct from hearing loss.

Myself I have a favorable claim on Tinnitus without hearing loss, it used to be together, but ya since 2006 they made them separately claimable.

though if you claim is for hearing loss, they also then will consider tinnitus as well, but ya it's a separate claim Oh And here's this to..

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/health-support/physical-health-and-wellness/compensation-illness-injury/disability-benefits/benefits-determined/entitlement-eligibility-guidelines/tinnitus

"The presence of tinnitus can produce a number of detrimental effects, even when no hearing loss is present. "

Red sorry to hear you were turned down. I know for a fact unless things have changed in the 12 months. You do not need Hearing loss for a Tinnitus claim. It is a very common myth.

I was denied approx a year ago because no hearing loss despite tinnitus in both ears 24/7. Told need to have hearing loss to claim tinnitus. I appealed and have been waiting over 6 months to see an ENT as recommended by BPA. Frustrating and slow. Glad to hear others are getting approved.

Yves all I can say is I never heard of a veteran not getting approved for Tinnitus - If it is continuous 24/7 and you request a masking device with approval of the audiologist, & if it is related to service you will receive 10%-12%. I have been dealing with VAC for over 20 yrs. Ask your middle-aged audiologist you will see!  
Good Luck

Didn't know much about the tinnitus as a disability. Hearing deteriorated in the noisy environments of the ships on which I served plus the damage caused during small arms firing where hearing protection was more of an afterthought than a properly enforced safety measure.

All I know is the story the Richie Rohmer passed on with his troubles getting a claim paid. His hearing damage was evident and a direct result of his days as a pilot but he was only offered a one-time $1000 settlement if he waived future considerations. If that's all a former general could get, those of us much lower in the food chain were bound to get less, if anything in support of hearing aids.

At any rate, I haven't bothered filing a claim given that I was told that without a formal filing of an injury report after each incident that could have damaged my hearing, I could not prove tinnitus or hearing loss could be attributed to my service.

Awesome , thank you for the information . With regards to what you say , agreed, not sure why I have to see the family doctor than . Maybe due to living in Alberta ? Not sure on that . My CM referred me and yes I have severe hearing loss and my audiologist office ordered hearing aids for both ears. Last week right after my appointment... maybe VAC just wants the paper trail On file from the physician referral ..Not sure .. especially if I have to go back to the same office ..

Awesome thank you all for the info .

Tinnitus is a subjective diagnosis. That is why 90%+ gets approved. They trust you have ringing in the ears when you say you do.
If it is continuous 24/7 and you request a masking device with approval of the audiologist, & if it is related to service you will receive 10%-12%.

As teentitan commented you never need a medical doctor's input. Nevertheless, it will not hurt the cause.

Tinnitus is the easiest, the quickest, VAC disability to get approved.

Actual hearing loss can be challenging unless it is severe.

Ppclicaper wrote:Thank you . Audiologist I went to last week was the one VAC sent me to for hearing loss. I filled out the disclosure forms on line for my case manager . The family Doctor appointment is so he can refer me to a specialist for tinnitus. Thank you for the time frame on hearing loss. Appreciated .

Thank you .

I was diagnosed with tinnitus by the audiologist (little over 2 years ago) and VAC processed the claim application from the audiologist report so I don't know why you have to see an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor because all the ENT is going to do is send you to the hearing department for an audiologist to give you a hearing test for tinnitus. I know this because my illness requires frequent trips to an ENT.

Unless your tinnitus is really bad or just in one ear then go to an ENT. If not then I would call VAC and ask why some vets get their claims processed for tinnitus from an audiologist without and ENT visit. If the NCCN rep just reads you the rules/SOP for tinnitus ask for a CSA (Client Service Agent) from your District Office to call you or ask to be connected to your DO to get a clear answer on this issue.

There is one other possibility why you have to get an ENT diagnosis....the province you live in. I have noticed lately that when it comes to daily living aids and prescription medication VAC seems to be following provincial health rules. I live in Ontario so if you live in another province I suggest that you call your provincial health minister's office and get the rules about hearing aids that have tinnitus masking capabilities. It might save you some time on your application and not waste a trip to a specialist.

Thank you . Audiologist I went to last week was the one VAC sent me to for hearing loss. I filled out the disclosure forms on line for my case manager . The family Doctor appointment is so he can refer me to a specialist for tinnitus. Thank you for the time frame on hearing loss. Appreciated .

Thank you .