You may have noticed that you’re not hearing as well as you did before, or you keep asking people to repeat something. Did this happen during your time on active duty?
Hearing Loss Can Affect Anyone
Most people think of age-related hearing loss (the loss of the hair-like cells in your inner ear), or people who were born without hearing. But losing your hearing can happen to anyone anytime without an explanation. Even excessive earwax can cause hearing loss, but more common causes include:
- Exposure to loud noises, including construction equipment, power tools, concerts, movies, and other high-decibel sounds without protection.
- Listening to music too loud in earphones
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear, especially after loud concerts and movies)
- Traumatic brain and other injuries to the head
- Tumors and other growths in the ear area
- Medications for conditions such as cancer and infections (antibiotics)
- Sudden altitude and pressure changes during flying (or even driving)
- Diseases in children such as:
- Chickenpox
- Smallpox
- Meningitis
- Measles
- Mumps
- Other chronic illnesses such as:
- Heart disease and hypertension
- Autoimmune diseases (such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and lupus)
- Diabetes
- Strokes
Veterans may have some of these causes, but their hearing losses are more commonly caused by experiences in the military, such as gunfire, transport, airplane and helicopter engines, and other artillery explosions (i.e., hand grenades.)
Like any VA disability claim, you’ll be required to establish a service connection for your hearing loss.
Three Steps
Just filling out an application will not help you get rated. In order to apply, you’ll need:
- A current diagnosis of hearing loss from a licensed audiologist, who will administer two different diagnostic tests to be submitted to the VA:
- Maryland CNC Test, which uses a 50-word list to determine how well you can recognize speech
- Puretone Audiometric Test, which measures the lightest sounds you can pick up on and hear
- Note: when you’re being tested, remove any hearing aids and let the audiologist know you’re taking this test to satisfy the VA’s requirement for establishing a service connection.
- Establishment of a service connection, which may include examining your service records for evidence of any types of activity that could have contributed to or caused your hearing loss. Wartime service can be used to make that connection as well.
- A corroborating medical opinion, one that can effectively link your hearing loss to your time in service
It’s not uncommon for hearing problems to develop some years after your discharge—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t service related. If you can demonstrate that you were exposed to loud noises during your time in the service, you still may be able to establish a service connection for your hearing loss.
Meniere’s Disease
This inner-ear disorder causes a number of symptoms, including hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, and pressure or “fullness” in the affected ear. It normally affects only one ear, and can also include fluid in the ear. While there are treatments for Meniere’s Disease, there is no cure.
The VA does rate on Meniere’s Disease, as much as 100% if you’re experiencing weekly bouts of vertigo and its related symptoms. Other inner ear disorders rate between 10% and 30%.
Hearing Loss Ratings
As with all disability ratings, the VA draws from the VA Schedule of Ratings Disabilities. Auditory (hearing) disorders are found under Section 4.87, in diagnostic codes 6200 to 6260. While tinnitus and hearing loss are common for veterans, there are other types of disorders that the VA will rate, including:
- Cancer in the ear area. The VA gives a 100% rating for the six months following the end of treatments.
- An inner ear problem called “peripheral vestibular disorder” rates at 10% if it causes you dizziness on occasion, and 30% if your dizziness is accompanied by staggering
- The loss of one ear (external) is a 30% rating, whereas the loss of both ears rate at 50%, assuming that you have at least some hearing despite the loss of the ear itself.
- The VA rates all cases of perforated eardrums at 0%.
If you have total hearing loss in both ears, you may also be eligible for a special monthly compensation.
Herren Law Can Help With Your VA Disability Benefits Claim
The VA does award disability benefits for hearing loss, but you have to apply, as you would for any type of disability. We can help make sure that your application is done correctly, and can also help with an appeal if your claim is denied.
Call The Herren Law Firm today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation, and we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis, with no up-front charges.
