Hearing loss is one of the most common VA disability conditions. Most military personnel at some point during their service are exposed to a high level of noise. Some of the loudest environments for service men and women include duty on the flight line; serving in the infantry; or working around naval ship engine rooms, aircraft carriers, and artillery. Those in combat are often exposed to auditory trauma for long periods of time.
Hearing problems can have a significant impact on a Veteran’s daily life. It can make it difficult to function well at work, to interact with friends and family, and even enjoy sports and hobbies. If you have hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ear) that is disrupting your life and was caused or made worse by your military service, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. You can contact us Cuddigan Law for a free evaluation of your situation. We can help determine if you’re eligible for VA disability benefits.
The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) recognizes that many Veterans have been exposed to loud noises and as a result have a hearing loss. The VA says that to streamline the evaluation process for hearing loss and tinnitus claims and to ensure that Veterans receive a consistent and fair assessment of their claims based on their specific military roles and the associated noise exposure risks, they have issued the Official Duty MOS Noise Exposure Listing. This tool evaluates the likelihood of noise exposure for Veterans based on their branch of service, Military Occupational Skill (job title), and duty assignment.
The VA rates disability for hearing loss from 0 percent to 100 percent based on two key audiology tests to measure speech understanding and tone hearing. The agency will combine results from both ears into a single rating. A 10 percent rating is the most common, though higher ratings are possible with severe impairment and additional lay evidence.
While the maximum rating for tinnitus is low—only 10 percent, that rating can be increased if you have another—secondary—medical condition that is the result of your tinnitus. All too often, Veterans applying for disability benefits overlook secondary conditions and miss out on much-needed benefits they are entitled to. There are many conditions that can be caused by tinnitus including migraine headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, and sleep disorders among others.
If you apply for VA disability for hearing loss or tinnitus it is likely that you will be required to submit to a VA Compensation and Pension Exam. A Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam is an appointment that allows a VA medical examiner to evaluate your physical or psychological condition and determine the level of impairment caused by your disability. For many Veterans the C&P exam may be the most important medical examination of their lives. The VA says, “This exam will help us rate your disability. Your rating will be based on how severe your disability is—and will affect how much disability compensation you’ll receive. Compensation may include things like monthly payments and enrollment in the VA health care program.”
It is obvious, then, that you should take the C&P exam very seriously. It is also common and reasonable that Veterans may be a bit stressed about their C&P exam.
But there is no need to be anxious if you are properly prepared. And we have a free book that will get you ready. What You Need to Know About C&P Exams for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus is packed with useful information which will help you understand the specifics of this C & P exam. This book will take you step-by-step through what to expect, share valuable insider tips to help you get the most out of your exam, and show you how to improve your odds of winning the benefits you have rightfully earned.
You can download this book from our website—cuddiganlaw.com. Or you can contact our office to have a copy sent to you. And the book is free. Also, for free, we can offer you an evaluation of your VA disability claim so call or email our office today.
Winning VA disability for hearing loss can be challenging, not because many Veterans don't qualify, but initial denials are common due to complex evidence requirements, strict rating criteria, and insufficient documentation. However, our book What You Need to Know About C&P Exams for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus and our vigorous advocacy for your rights can greatly improve your odds of winning your claim.
