Re: Hearing Loss and Tinitus

by HansBlix Wed 15 Nov 2017, 17:41

So had another audiogram conducted back in September as requested by VAC and results were even more severe hearing loss than on my release audiogram. I spoke to the adjudicator in Charlottetown about my file and instead of rendering a decision, she decided to send it off to one of their "medical specialists" for their opinion. She said it could be months added to the wait time and told me the only thing I could do to speed up the process is Pray!!! It's been 30 weeks as of today and still stuck on Step 3! I've tried calling a dozen times, asked to have it Red Zoned, made noise, etc, etc. all to no avail. How do they get away with this?? As of my last call I was told it was currently tiered....anyone know what this means?

by HansBlix Mon 11 Sep 2017, 18:22

OK. I totally missed that. Man, they sure have all their bases covered. Thanks for the info Trooper. Guess it's off to the Audiologist I go. I wonder if this will re-set the 16 week(ish) clock?

by Guest Mon 11 Sep 2017, 18:06

Trooper wrote:
HansBlix wrote:Update....week 21 and just got a phone call from VAC saying that I must now undergo and submit a new hearing test. Their reasoning...a hearing test I had in 2007 showed no hearing loss while my release hearing test I had in 2011 showed moderate hearing loss. They say that this new hearing test I will have to take is necessary to verify the disability noted on release is chronic. Anybody know if this is legit? I can't seem to find anything in VAC Policy stating the necessity to have a post release hearing test done to validate the results of the actual release hearing test.

Looks like they want to ensure the 2011 test stands today or worsen. It's an application so they can approve, deny or ask for more info/test. In your case they are looking for you to do another test which is in my mind taking it a little to far, you did your part and submitted the proper evidence to support your claim. They should have approved you based on the evidence you submitted, what they are doing is just causing stress to the Veteran applying for the benefit. I heard the new Minister say he wants to see more of giving the benefit of doubt to Veterans applying for benefits, I guess it's just words. Unfortunately you will need to submit another test to satisfy them, the test may prove your hearing to have worsen from moderate which will help you in the end. When you go in to do your test, make sure you say the word what a lot to the individual giving you the test.

Hearing Loss

The Hearing Loss Entitlement Eligibility Guideline will apply to claims where the 2006 edition of the Table of Disabilities would apply. Refer to the TOD Transition Protocols.

An application for entitlement for a hearing loss should properly be submitted as "hearing loss" regardless of the type(s) of loss.

Please note: Entitlement should be granted for a chronic condition only. For VAC purposes, "chronic" means that the condition has existed for at least 6 months. Signs and symptoms are generally expected to persist despite medical attention, although they may wax and wane over the 6-month period and thereafter.

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/services/after-injury/disability-benefits/benefits-determined/entitlement-eligibility-guidelines/hearing_loss

by Guest Mon 11 Sep 2017, 17:28

HansBlix wrote:Update....week 21 and just got a phone call from VAC saying that I must now undergo and submit a new hearing test. Their reasoning...a hearing test I had in 2007 showed no hearing loss while my release hearing test I had in 2011 showed moderate hearing loss. They say that this new hearing test I will have to take is necessary to verify the disability noted on release is chronic. Anybody know if this is legit? I can't seem to find anything in VAC Policy stating the necessity to have a post release hearing test done to validate the results of the actual release hearing test.

Looks like they want to ensure the 2011 test stands today or worsen. It's an application so they can approve, deny or ask for more info/test. In your case they are looking for you to do another test which is in my mind taking it a little to far, you did your part and submitted the proper evidence to support your claim. They should have approved you based on the evidence you submitted, what they are doing is just causing stress to the Veteran applying for the benefit. I heard the new Minister say he wants to see more of giving the benefit of doubt to Veterans applying for benefits, I guess it's just words. Unfortunately you will need to submit another test to satisfy them, the test may prove your hearing to have worsen from moderate which will help you in the end. When you go in to do your test, make sure you say the word what a lot to the individual giving you the test.

by HansBlix Mon 11 Sep 2017, 16:19

Update....week 21 and just got a phone call from VAC saying that I must now undergo and submit a new hearing test. Their reasoning...a hearing test I had in 2007 showed no hearing loss while my release hearing test I had in 2011 showed moderate hearing loss. They say that this new hearing test I will have to take is necessary to verify the disability noted on release is chronic. Anybody know if this is legit? I can't seem to find anything in VAC Policy stating the necessity to have a post release hearing test done to validate the results of the actual release hearing test.

by bosn181 Thu 29 Jun 2017, 10:50

the masking device works very well for me it just makes a white noise and the pillow speaker comes with it and you plug it into the masking device so you can put the speaker under your pillow i set it to thunderstorms and listen its pretty cool. as to your ? about the 5% i was at 2% from 2008 when doc prescribed the masking device they had to bump up my tinnitus to 5% to get the masking device and the device put it up another 5% i think the max you can get is 12% tinnitus i am not 100% sure on that but i am sure thats what they told me as well hearing loss and tinnitus are separate claims

by SaintJohn18182 Thu 29 Jun 2017, 08:02

By the way, does anyone have any experience with the masking device? Is it beneficial at all?
They also prescribed me a pillow speaker thing.

by SaintJohn18182 Thu 29 Jun 2017, 07:55

I got my masking device approved by Bluecross... after sending the prescription to VAC.. does that mean I'm automatically going to get a 5% increase?

by bosn181 Tue 20 Jun 2017, 12:49

i seen this before what they need is the model number and name of the masking device you will have to talk to the audiologist and get the model and numbers and send that to vac

by johnny211 Tue 20 Jun 2017, 09:24

Hi SaintJohn - just went through this myself. I had to get my family dr to write a script for the device. Took it too my hearing place, then DVA needed a new hearing test, so did that, and then the bell tone sent it all in to Vac to be approved, so hopefully I will get the device. Hope this helps. VVV..

by SaintJohn18182 Tue 20 Jun 2017, 08:55

I got approved and my audiologist said that I need a masking device for both ears.. resulting in 6% but I got this response instead:

Please Note
• Your submitted Tinnitus Questionnaire tells us you were prescribed a masking device, but we need information from your doctor, or other health care professional, telling us what this device is, or any medications you
were given to mask your tinnitus.

How could I go upon getting the full percentage and also the full coverage so I can actually get a masking device? Do I just get the audiologist to prescribe me a masking device and send the paperwork to VAC and they'll bounce me up to 11%?

by SaintJohn18182 Thu 15 Jun 2017, 19:11

by bosn181 Sun 11 Jun 2017, 11:25

another thing to add to anyone with Tinnitus if your not maxed out on it and you don't have a masking device you can go to your doc and get a prescription for a masking device for tinnitus and if your approved it will add 5% to your claim i am not sure on the max i think it is 12% and in order to get it you need to be at 5% and if your not at 5% they should bump you up. i was at 2% back in 2008 and got my doc to give me a prescription and it was approved now with the masking device i am now at 11% something to ask about it did not take very long as well i only waited two months before it was all approved and in my hands i think this was because i already had been approved and they put it as a reassessment good luck hope it all works out

by **bigrex** Sun 11 Jun 2017, 10:55

No, I believe that VAC believes that hearing loss only qualifies as a disability if you have a minimum of a -95 decibel loss, over the 4 frequencies. So you would cross -190 (best ear) with -190 (worst ear) to get the impairment rating of 18. You also add the QoL rating, bringing you to a minimum of 20, and max of 23. Then you add an amount for other symptoms of hearing loss, such as ear infections, Tinnitus and Vertigo, and their individual QOL ratings.

by HansBlix Sun 11 Jun 2017, 09:47

Thanks for the advice! Truly appreciated. So I resubmitted all my documents and now showing on my VAC account as application for Hearing Loss - Step 2, so I guess we will see what happens shortly. Does anyone know what the actual calculation is to determine your DSHL? On my audiogram I am looking at plots as follows: 500hz - 40db both left and right, 1000hz - 50db left and 45db right, 2000hz - 45db both left and right, 3000hz - 55db left and 60db right. I'm not sure if you simply use 0db as your start point and add the 4 numbers together for each ear ie: left ear 40+50+45+55= DSHL of 190 (would be great) or possibly use 25 as your start point in which case - 15+25+20+30= DSHL of 90 (not so great). Or maybe there is way more to it that I'm not factoring in. Any ideas?

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