VA Disability for Hearing Loss

In most cases, hearing loss VA disability claims among Veterans are typically a direct result of prolonged noise exposure from things such as:

• explosives
• aircraft
• tanks
• gunfire
• combat deployments
• training incidents
• and much more

Unfortunately, hearing loss can have a long-term effect on Veterans’ ability to live everyday life. However, if you experienced any hearing loss due to your time in the military, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits.

Please note that in many cases, a hearing loss claim is one of the most challenging claims to get service-connected. Many times, these claims receive a low rating or are denied. 

The VA uses a standard that says that you need to have a hearing loss of at least 5 decibels (dB) in one ear or at least 10 dB in both ears to qualify for a disability rating. This means that, when tested, you can’t hear sounds at certain frequencies as well as someone without a hearing loss.

The VA will consider factors like your age, how long you’ve had your hearing loss, and how much it affects your daily life when determining whether or not you’re eligible for benefits. For example, if you’re young and have just noticed some difficulty hearing in loud environments, it may be worth waiting before applying for benefits. But if your impairment has been present since birth or you live with significant hearing loss every day, then it might be time to apply!

The biggest hurdle when getting increased benefits from the VA is proving that your impairment meets their definition of “severe.” In order to do this, it’s helpful if you can get an audiogram done by an audiologist who specializes in interpreting these tests—they’ll know what kinds of details need to be conveyed.

How to Prove a Hearing Loss Claim

In order for a Veteran to prove a hearing loss disability claim, they must:

• Receive a medical diagnosis of hearing loss confirmed by an audiologist
• Show evidence on an in-service injury or incident that occurred that would have resulted in hearing loss
• Have current symptoms of hearing loss (prove the severity of symptoms)

Increase Your VA Disability Rating For Hearing Loss

Being a veteran is hard enough. But when you’re dealing with hearing loss—or suspect that you might be—the process of figuring out what to do, and how to get the compensation and benefits you deserve, can be overwhelming. That’s why Veteran Outreach exists: to help make everything as easy as possible for you.

Veteran Outreach knows exactly how to complete the paperwork correctly and refer you to private medical providers who understand the VA’s claim process and know how to fill out a DBQ accurately. Veteran Outreach also offer free no-risk assessments, so contact us to discuss your options!