Hearing loss is one of the most common service-connected disabilities in American veterans today. Hearing loss can develop from being exposed to loud noises during military service, such as gunfire, explosions, machinery, or aircraft engines, and more. The VA offers disability for hearing loss, but there is a process followed to receive the benefits. Following the steps to receive the benefits may be stressful. Keep reading this to get a better feel for how to get VA disability for hearing loss.
Read More: Can The VA Lower Your Compensation
Evaluating Hearing Loss
There are two main things that you need to prove for the VA to approve your hearing loss disability claim. First, you will need to have a current diagnosis of a qualifying condition. Second, you will need a service connection that links to your disability. Without these, you won’t be able to apply for disability regarding hearing loss.
The VA rates hearing loss by using two primary tests, the Puretone Audiometry test and the Speech Discrimination Test.
Puretone Audiometry Test: This test measures the quietest sounds you can hear at different frequencies. These results are calculated for both ears in decibels.
Speech Discrimination Test: This test measures how well you can understand speech in a quiet environment. This test assesses your ability to recognize and repeat words correctly.
The results of these two tests are combined to assign a disability rating for hearing loss.
VA Rating for Hearing Loss
The VA uses a formula to calculate how much the hearing is impaired, which helps determine the overall rating.
0% Rating: If you have measurable learning loss, the VA may still assign you a 0% rating. This happens if the condition doesn’t significantly affect your ability to work or perform daily activities. If this is the case, you will receive no monthly compensation, but the condition is still considered service-connected.
10%-100% Ratings: Your rating will be higher if the hearing impairment is more severe. In that case, you will qualify for compensation because of the severity of the hearing loss.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is one of the most common service-connected conditions among veterans. Unlike hearing loss, the VA assigns a rating for tinnitus regardless of how severe the ringing is. It’s assigned a 10% disability rating no matter what.
Strengthening The Claim:
- Submit the audiology test results that are used by the VA to determine the ratings. The VA will only accept VA-approved tests and make sure the test results are for both ears, even if only one is affected.
- Provide evidence of noise exposure during service. This will help establish a service connection. Using Military Occupational Specialty Records, deployment or combat records, or a buddy statement may all be helpful when providing evidence.
- Submitting a Nexus letter from an audiologist can help strengthen your case as well. A nexus letter is a medical opinion that links your hearing loss or tinnitus to your military service. Including a detailed service history can be beneficial when submitting your Nexus letter as well.
- Providing Lay Statements can help prove that the hearing loss is affecting your everyday life. These statements can be from family members, friends, or even coworkers. These statements can be helpful when your condition wasn’t formally diagnosed during service but has worsened over time.
Statistics
Tinnitus is most commonly claimed among veterans. Over 2.3 million veterans receive disability compensation for tinnitus, followed by hearing loss, which is also frequently claimed by veterans. Hearing loss isn’t affecting as many people as tinnitus is, but still, over hundreds of thousands of veterans are affected.
Are You a Veteran Struggling With Hearing?
If you are a veteran who’s struggling with hearing loss, reach out to Tabak Law Firm. They will help you take the right steps to get compensated for your hearing loss. If it’s hearing loss or tinnitus, don’t hesitate to get in contact, even if you only have a question.