VA Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common issue among veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that hearing problems are the most frequently occurring service-connected disabilities. Hearing loss may be eligible for VA disability benefits if it is related to the veteran’s military service.

8 Causes of Hearing Loss in Veterans

Loud Noises
Brain Injury
Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs
Jet Fuel Exposure
Ear Infection
Ruptured Eardrum
Inner Ear Damage
Aging

Hearing loss is a common issue that can affect veterans due to various reasons such as aging, exposure to loud noises, and ear infections. Some veterans may experience complete hearing loss in one or both ears, while others may use hearing aids to improve their hearing ability.

Military personnel may be more prone to hearing loss due to exposure to loud noises or injuries during their service. Depending on the extent of the condition and its relation to the military service, veterans may qualify for VA rating and disability compensation for their hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Among Veterans

Hearing loss is a common issue that can affect veterans due to several factors, including exposure to loud noises, aging, or infections that affect the ear. There are different types of hearing loss, including conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss, each with varying causes and treatments.

Symptoms of hearing loss include difficulty hearing sounds around you, muffled sounds, and trouble with hearing high-pitched noises or consonants in words. Over time, hearing loss may lead to social withdrawal and feeling left out of conversations.

The CDC reports that hearing loss is the second most prevalent service-connected disability among veterans, with tinnitus being the most common. Male veterans are more likely to have significant hearing problems or deafness than male non-veterans.

The VA provides hearing loss ratings for disability benefits, so veterans should seek medical attention if they experience hearing loss symptoms related to their military service.

Hearing Loss Tests

To determine a veteran’s VA hearing loss rating eligibility, the VA may require hearing test results as part of the veteran’s disability compensation claim. Trained audiology professionals use two tests to provide an accurate picture of a veteran’s hearing threshold.

Speech Audiometry Test

The first test, called speech audiometry, checks a veteran’s ability to understand speech and specific sounds used in speech, also known as speech discrimination. This test can determine how well a veteran can comprehend speech and the volume at which they can hear it.

Pure-Tone Audiometry Test

The second test, pure-tone audiometry, assesses the sounds that a veteran can hear. During the test, a series of sounds at different pitches are played, and the veteran indicates the sounds they can hear. This test helps an audiologist determine the degree of hearing loss, ranging from mild-to-moderate to severe-to-profound.

The degree of hearing loss determines the VA hearing loss rating for disability benefits. Mild hearing loss typically results in a lower rating, usually from 0% to 10%. However, severe hearing loss may result in a hearing loss VA rating of 30% or higher for conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, or mixed hearing impairment.

VA Disability Rating for Hearing Loss

The VA provides disability benefits for hearing loss when there is a service connection.

Service connection means that the hearing loss is related to the veteran’s military service in one of three ways:

It was caused by something during military service
It is a symptom of a service-connected disability
It was worsened by military service

To be eligible for VA disability compensation for hearing loss, veterans must provide evidence to establish the service connection for their hearing loss.

How Hearing Loss is Rated by the VA

When it comes to receiving VA benefits for hearing loss, the disability rating is determined differently from other conditions like tinnitus. The severity of hearing impairment is the main factor that the VA considers when rating hearing loss disabilities. However, before establishing a disability rating, the VA must first establish a service connection.

The VA uses a Roman numeral system to rate the severity of hearing impairment, which considers both pure-tone threshold average and speech discrimination results. By aligning the results of both tests and both ears with a chart, the VA determines the disability rating for the veteran’s hearing loss. It’s important to note that the VA evaluates the functionality of both ears together, which can affect the disability rating.

The VA uses a specific chart to determine disability ratings for hearing loss, with the highest possible rating being 100%. Below are some examples of how the VA might rate hearing loss disabilities:

10% Disability Rating

Many veterans receive a 10% disability rating due to mild to moderate hearing loss in both ears, caused by conditions like chronic otitis externa, recurring tinnitus, or noise exposure.

30% Disability Rating

A 30% disability rating might be given to a veteran with severe to profound hearing loss in one ear but only mild loss in the other. Since the VA rates the functionality of both ears together, this may result in a relatively low disability rating.

50% Disability Rating

For a veteran with severe to profound hearing loss in one ear and moderately severe loss in the other, as indicated by hearing tests, the VA may give a 50% disability rating.

100% Disability Rating

A 100% disability rating for hearing loss is rare, and typically only given to veterans with severe to profound hearing impairment in both ears, possibly caused by conditions like Meniere’s syndrome, malignant neoplasms, or other serious conditions.

Applying for VA Disability Benefits for Hearing Loss

While hearing loss is a prevalent VA disability claim, receiving disability compensation is not automatic. Veterans must establish a service connection, provide medical evidence of their diagnosis, and complete hearing tests.

To apply for VA disability benefits for hearing loss, veterans can visit their nearest VA regional office in person, apply online, or submit their application through mail or phone.

Common Causes of Hearing Loss Among Veterans

Veterans may experience hearing loss due to various reasons, and many of them may be associated with their military service. Here are some of the most common causes of hearing loss among veterans.

Loud Noises

Exposure to loud noises is a significant contributor to military-connected hearing impairment. Active duty service members may be exposed to loud noises from explosions or the operation of heavy machinery. Extended exposure to loud noises can damage the nerves or inner ear structure, leading to potentially profound hearing loss.

Brain Injury

Injuries to the head and brain can also lead to hearing loss. Traumatic brain injury, for instance, can damage the ear structure or nerves. Some people may not experience symptoms until weeks, months, or even years after the injury occurred.

Defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs

Between 2003 and 2015, the U.S. military used 3M combat arms earplugs that were later found to be defective. Veterans who used these earplugs may still be able to file lawsuits against 3M and receive VA disability compensation for related hearing loss.

Jet Fuel Exposure

Exposure to jet fuel has been linked to auditory processing dysfunctions, including hearing impairment. There are currently no treatments available to help those who have already been exposed.

Ear Infection

Military service can increase the risk of ear infections, which can lead to significant problems for the ears if left untreated or unresponsive to medications. Severe infections could damage part of the ear and cause permanent hearing loss.

Ruptured Eardrum

A ruptured eardrum can occur due to injury or noise exposure and make it easier to get ear infections, leading to permanent hearing loss.

Inner Ear Damage

Damage to the inner ear can happen from a head injury, ear infection, or noise exposure. This can cause permanent hearing loss, allowing veterans to receive a VA disability rating and compensation.

Aging

Age-related hearing loss can also occur after leaving the military, which generally isn’t covered by VA disability compensation since it is not service-connected.