Add a plus behind the decibel value when a maximum value has been reached with a failure of response from the Veteran. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! In other words, the average disability rating will likely not cover the inconvenience and hassle of hearing impairment issues. X For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Find out how to change your information online. Step #1: First, a VA C&P exam for Hearing Loss must be conducted by a state-licensed audiologist and must include (#1) A controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) AND (#2) A puretone audiometry test without the use of hearing aids. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. 30 The VA rates Hearing Loss under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, DC 6100, Hearing Loss. Okay, lets explore these major changes as well as how to get a VA Rating for Hearing Loss (+ Tinnitus), to include expert-level tips to get both conditions service connected under the law. Look down the left-hand side of the Table VI below to see what row you should be on. In accordance with the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus include: To be eligible for a VA disability rating for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, a veteran must meet three (3) criteria by law: If you think you have Hearing Loss with Tinnitus, but dont have a medical diagnosis,pick-up the phone and call the VA health facility nearest youto make an appointment right away! Maximum speech discrimination will be reported with the 50 word VA approved recording of the Maryland CNC test. The one major exception at the moment is Malignant Neoplasm which is a guaranteed 100% for 6 months following the end of treatment. Youve had one hand and one elbow amputated, Youve had one hand amputated, and have lost the use of one elbow. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. border-left-color: rgba(5, 46, 102, 0.95) !important; Step 4: The VA determines a percentage evaluation for hearing impairment by combining the Roman numeral designation for each ear based on test results. Most types of hearing loss are irreversible which is why taking care of your ears and exposure to loud noise from an early age is so important. Military personnel confronts additional dangers and concerns when it comes to hearing loss. As you can see from the chart, its very difficult to get above a 10% VA rating for Hearing Loss. The starting presentation level will be 40 dB re SRT. Yes, Hearing Loss is the #2 overall VA claim and Tinnitus is #1, and are currently rated separately. When speech discrimination is 92% or less, a performance intensity function must be obtained. } While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics. You have blindness in both eyes that's considered total blindness, with only the ability to perceive light, You have blindness in both eyes that requires you to have daily help with basic needs (like eating, dressing, and bathing). Similarily, if tests were not performed on an ear, it is assumed that the ear has perfect hearing, and is assigned a Roman numeral of I (0% VA rating for Hearing Loss). I The goal of any VA disability claim is to link the medical condition with a service connection. Note that there is no objective test to measure and diagnose Tinnitus. border-bottom-color: rgba(5, 46, 102, 0.95) !important; Currently, the Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Disability Benefits Questionnaire is for Internal Use Only, and will be completed electronically by the C&P examiner at your exam. Continue reading to learn more about receiving compensation for damaged hearing. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely. border-right-color: rgba(5, 46, 102, 0.95) !important; . This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. A modified Hughson-Westlake procedure will be used with appropriate masking. According to the VA Hearing Loss Compensation Table above, at the 20% VA disability rating for Hearing Loss (worth $301.74 per month), you'd have a IV in your Best Ear and VI in your Worst Ear or a V in your Best Ear and a V in your Worst Ear. The VA ratings are designed to examine each patient on a case by case basis for hearing impairment. The examinations are conducted without the use of hearing aids. yet assertive representation for our clients. Youve lost the use of one foot, and have had one arm amputated so close to the shoulder that you can't wear a prosthesis, Youve lost the use of one hand, and have had one leg amputated so close to the hip that you can't wear a prosthesis. What do you need to know about hearing loss and how to file a disability claim with the VA? #5. Youve lost the use of one elbow and one knee. Step 2: Make sure that the hearing examination also includes a controlled speech discrimination test and puretone audiometry test. (a) An examination for hearing impairment for VA purposes must be conducted by a state-licensed audiologist and must include a controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) and a puretone audiometry test. .wdt-frontend-modal .btn, If you are having problems with your ears and hearing, you should schedule an appointment with a medical professional or ear specialist. } Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately one-third of people in the United States between the ages of 65 75 have some degree of hearing loss. Less likely than not (less than 50% probability) the veterans Tinnitus is a symptom associated with their Hearing Loss. Approximately 37.5 million Americans are affected by hearing loss, including more than half of those over the age of 75. You have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have had one hand amputated, You have total blindness with the only ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have lost the use of one hand. Earwax can block the ear canal and prevent the conduction of sound waves. Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you've earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family memberlike health care, disability, education, and more. What are the Puretone Threshold Average (PTA) decibel levels for the RIGHT ear? Without getting too detailed, the VA hearing tests the level of sound you can hear at those 4 frequencies. III In fact, roughly 50% of the people in the U.S. above 65 years of age have some degree of Hearing Loss. At a rating of 0 percent, you do not receive monthly compensation, but you might be eligible for other benefits from VA, such as health care. 20 Contact a VA representative for more information on the claims process and potential disability payouts. For hearing loss ratings, the monthly compensation levels as of 2020 are as follows: 0% disability rating: $0.00 per month 10% disability rating: $142.29 per month 20% disability rating: $281.27 per month 30% disability rating: $435.69 per month 40% disability rating: $627.61 per month 50% disability rating: $893.43 per month 100* Indicate yes, no, or cannot determine without resorting to speculation, for each ear. Youve had both arms amputated so close to the shoulder that you cant wear a prosthesis, You have complete paralysis of both legs thats resulted in being unable to control your bladder or bowels. You have hearing loss in both ears (with at least one ears deafness caused by military service) thats rated as 40% or more disabling, and you have blindness in both eyes with only the ability to perceive light, You have total deafness in one ear as well as blindness in both eyes with only the ability to perceive light. That is, there are most likely veterans with hearing loss who are not receiving VA disability compensation. Youve had one foot amputated, and have lost the use of one elbow. All Rights Reserved. 30 VI Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Document the veterans response without opining on the relationship between the functional effects and the level of impairment (audiogram) or otherwise characterizing the response. E. Less likely than not (less that 50% probability the veterans Tinnitus was caused by or the result of military noise exposure. How Do I Get a VA Rating for Hearing Loss? Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Appendix A- Table of Amendments and Effective Dates Since 1946 Appendix B . Step 3: The VA uses Table VI, Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Puretone Threshold Average and Speech Discrimination to determine a Roman numeral designation for your level of hearing impairment. According to VA, more than 2.7 million veterans currently receive disability benefits for hearing loss or tinnitus (i.e., ringing in the ears); however, the actual number may be even higher. However, you will still need to follow a complicated process to state your case: Step 1: Schedule an examination for hearing impairment with a state-licensed audiologist. (A significant change in hearing threshold may indicate noise exposure or acoustic trauma.). Are you getting the best VA Disability Rate for Hearing Loss? With that said, you can take precautions by using hearing protection. What is the average VA compensation for hearing loss? VA Hearing Loss Calculator and Ratings Guide - Hill & Ponton, P.A. Based on the rating, the veteran may receive special monthly compensation for deafness or another hearing loss disability. Find the result for the Speech Discrimination test and the Puretone Threshold Average (PTA) for a single ear to find the Roman numeral for that ear. .wpdt-c.wpDataTablesWrapper table.wpdtSimpleTable thead tr > th{ Parents Dependency and Indemnity Compensation rates Review current rates for VA DIC compensation for eligible surviving parents. VII Youve had one knee amputated, and have had one arm amputated so close to the shoulder that you cant wear a prosthesis. You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Conductive (involves outer or middle ear), Difficulty understanding words, especially with background noise, Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly, and loudly, Turning up the volume of the television, radio, or mobile device, #1. Explain the rationale. To measure the severity, the VA takes the results of a veterans puretone threshold test (see below) and averages it to each ear. Next, look at the Added amounts table. Hearing loss is a noteworthy problem in the United States, especially among veterans. For VA purposes, the diagnosis of hearing impairment is based upon testing at frequency ranges of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz. 0