Unfortunately, this proposal will harm many transitioning military and veterans alike because most of us have Tinnitus without Hearing Loss, but the new rating criteria under Hearing Loss will require BOTH to get the minimum compensable rating of 10%. VA special monthly compensation (SMC) is a higher rate of compensation that we pay to Veterans as well as their spouses, surviving spouses, and parents with certain needs or disabilities. /* th background color */ Download Hearing Loss Table. You may receive an SMC-L designation if any of these situations are true for you: You may receive an SMC-L 1/2 designation if any of the these situations are true for you: You may receive an SMC-M designation if any of these situations are true for you: You may receive an SMC-M 1/2 designation if any of these situations are true for you: Or you have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light: You may receive an SMC-N designation if any of these situations are true for you. Youve lost the use of one foot (rated as 50% or more disabling). You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light in the other eye. Hearing loss can significantly alter your life, negatively impacting your quality of life and daily functioning. Enter your hearing test results below and click the button to calculate your hearing disability rating. Nonetheless, additional services like hearing aids and service animals may supplement where monthly disability income is not sufficient. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Step 4: The VA determines a percentage evaluation for hearing impairment by combining the Roman numeral designation for each ear based on test results. Youve had one foot amputated, and have lost the use of the other foot. Youve lost the use of one elbow, and have had one arm amputated so close to the shoulder that you cant wear a prosthesis. However, veterans can submit additional evidence that helps support their claim that they are warranted a higher rating. Find out how the VA qualifies those with hearing loss issues, including the rating table, maximum VA rating, and the typical compensation for hearing related problems. Therefore the the veterans hearing loss is not due to his military career. That is, there are most likely veterans with hearing loss who are not receiving VA disability compensation. 0 What is the functional impact of the veterans Hearing Loss? He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. **The veteran may have impaired hearing, but it does not meet the criteria to be considered a disability for VA purposes. Hearing loss is a significant problem for veterans of the military. #1. If hearing loss is determined, the next step is to prove the damage is service-connected and therefore you are entitled to disability benefits. Pro Tip:If youve been out of the military for more than 12 months, Hearing Loss is one of the most difficult claims to get service connected and rated above 0%. 10 The speech and pretone test is done with a sound-captive earphone, but I hear very few words clearly at a distance of two feet or more. What's the Right Rating for My VA Hearing Loss Claim? Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 Step #2: Second, Using Table #1 below, Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Puretone Threshold Average and Speech Discrimination Percentage, assign a Roman numeral designation (I through XI) for Hearing Loss based on a combination of the percent of Speech Discrimination (horizontal rows) and the Puretone Threshold Average (PTA) (vertical columns). Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Aggravation of a Pre-Service Disability for Hearing Loss. /* buttons background color */ Needing to turn the volume up high on electronic devices. According to the VA Hearing Loss Compensation Table above, at the 20% VA disability rating for Hearing Loss (worth $301.74 per month), youd 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. What is the Speech Discrimination score based on the Maryland CNC word list? Not only is Hearing Loss one of the hardest conditions to get service connected, its also one of most difficult conditions to get rated above 0 percent. As a result, hearing loss can start to negatively alter other functions of your lifestyle which makes finding treatment important. Related Article 10 Benefits Of Being A Military Wife (and 5 not-so good things). Tinnitus is a very common condition that affects up to 20% of Americans. Then, these electrical signals are transmitted to your brain where it processes the signals into sound. B. Levels K and Q are special rates called SMCrate payment variations. A VA C&P exam for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus involves a series of verbal questions, to include a physical examination, and diagnostic testing (Audiogram by an Audiologist). You have total blindness with only the ability to perceive light in the other eye, and have deafness in both ears (rated as 30% or more disabling). } Based on the rating, the veteran may receive special monthly compensation for deafness or another hearing loss disability. Crazybear1. 20 div.dt-button-collection a.dt-button.active:not(.disabled):hover, 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. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site. Current VA Disability Compensation Rates | Veterans Affairs To file a VA hearing loss compensation claim, a military veteran needs to fill out VA Form 21-526, Veterans Application for Compensation and/or Pension, or apply online using VONAPP. } Explain the rationale. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Medical diagnosis of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. The VA ratings are designed to examine each patient on a case by case basis for hearing impairment. 20 However, most medical conditions listed under hearing impairment do not qualify for full disability coverage. Your email address will not be published. VA Ratings for Hearing Loss range from 0 percent to 100 percent, with breaks at 10 percent, 20 percent, 30 percent, 40 percent, 50 percent, 60 percent, 70 percent, 80 percent, and 90 percent although the average VA rating for Hearing . What are the Puretone Thresholds in Decibels (Air Condition)? For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. Heres the step-by-step process used to assign a proper VA Rating for Hearing Loss: Table #1: Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Speech Discrimination Percentage and Puretone Threshold Average (PTA), Table #2: The VA Hearing Loss Compensation Table, Table #3: Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based Only on Puretone Threshold Average (PTA). Most veterans have Subjective Tinnitus, which only you can hear and is undetectable during a hearing test. background-color: rgba(5, 46, 102, 0.95) !important; 50 What are the Puretone Threshold Average (PTA) decibel levels for the LEFT Ear? Hearing Loss Table | Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission If you have been denied hearing loss disability benefits, or are attempting to increase your rating, the team at Hill & Ponton may be able to assist you. All Rights Reserved. Youve physically lost the other eye, and have deafness in both ears (rated as 10% or 20% disabling). Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. If yes, indicate the date and circumstances of the onset of Tinnitus. Since your basic rate already provides payment for 1 child, you would add the rate of $100.34for each additional child under age 18 (so $100.34x 2). You have blindness in one eye and total blindness in the other eye with only the ability to perceive light, You have blindness in both eyes, and have lost the use of one foot (rated as less than 50% disabling). 0 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. 4.85 - Evaluation of Hearing Impairment 4.86 - Exceptional Patterns of Hearing Impairment 4.87 . Hearing Loss and Tinnitus are not the same things. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 You're not alone. Youve had one hand and one foot amputated. ASVAB Scores For Air Force Jobs: All 130+ For 2022, How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, 10 Benefits Of Being A Military Wife (and 5 not-so good things), veterans are 30% more likely compared to civilians to have severe hearing impairment, 38 CFR 4.85 Evaluation of Hearing Impairment, VA recently described hearing problems like tinnitus. Veterans Affairs Hearing Loss Calculator - DisabilityTalk.net Because service members are often exposed to loud noises, including gunfire, armored vehicles, and other combat-related noises, they can lead to both tinnitus and hearing loss. When speech discrimination is 92% or less, a performance intensity function must be obtained. Meanwhile, the same veteran at a 50% disability rating would receive nearly $900 per month. However, weve made a copy available for download below. The puretone threshold at 500 Hz is not used in calculating the puretone threshold average for evaluation purposes but is used in determining whether for VA purposes, hearing impairment reaches the level of a disability. .wpdt-tc-FFFFFF { color: #FFFFFF !important;} San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. If your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits or you have more than one child, you may qualify for additional monthly payment amounts as listed in the Added amounts table. #8. .wpdt-c.wpDataTablesWrapper table.wpdtSimpleTable thead th, If present, is the veterans Hearing Loss at least as likely as not (50% probability or greater) caused by or a result of an event in military service? } The more severe your hearing loss, the higher your rating. Find the 2023 special monthly compensation rates that may apply to you. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 (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. How Does The VA Rate Hearing Loss? - Veterans Help Group E. Less likely than not (less that 50% probability the veterans Tinnitus was caused by or the result of military noise exposure. 20 The one major exception at the moment is Malignant Neoplasm which is a guaranteed 100% for 6 months following the end of treatment. #3. .wpdt-fs-000016 { font-size: 16px !important;} Tinnitus is no laughing matter: It can make your life miserable and negatively impact your work, life, and social functioning. 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. Youve lost the use of one knee, and have had one leg amputated so close to the hip that you cant wear a prosthesis. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. .wdt-frontend-modal .btn, Start with the Basic SMC rates table. VI #2: Secondary Service Connection for Hearing Loss with a VA rating of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%. #12. Were Veterans helping Veterans Worldwide, and since 2016 weve helped 10,000+ Veterans just like you INCREASE their VA disability rating! While the U.S. Armed Forces recognizes hearing loss as one of its most prevalent service-connected medical conditions, the VA ratings are not stellar. This is your monthly basic rate. We are Veterans helping Veterans!Become an Elite Member and work with our Veteran Coaches to get the rating you deserve! The average decibel loss is to be translated into percentage of compensable hearing loss of each ear according to the attached table. Feel free to complete this free case evaluation on our website or review our ebook The Road to VA Compensation Benefits below. 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). X 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. A rating is assigned to the patient based on age and the degree of hearing damage. 80 Youve had one arm and one leg amputated so close to the shoulder and hip that you cant wear a prosthesis on either, Youve had one hand amputated and one arm amputated so close to the shoulder that you cant wear a prosthesis, Youve lost the use of one hand, and have had one arm amputated so close to the shoulder that you cant wear a prosthesis, You have total blindness without the ability to perceive light. A table for determining compensable percentage of hearing loss has been promulgated by the Commission. 30 If your military service aggravated the condition beyond its natural progression, you can get Hearing Loss service connected and rated based on aggravation of a pre-service disability. Copyright 2023 www.OperationMilitaryKids.org. Maximum speech discrimination will be reported with the 50 word VA approved recording of the Maryland CNC test. Once service connection is established, the VA will assign a disability rating based on the severity of the hearing loss. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. In other words, the patient struggling with hearing loss must prove to the VA that the medical condition started or worsen during their time in service in order to receive disability benefits. Yes, Hearing Loss is the #2 overall VA claim and Tinnitus is #1, and are currently rated separately. As a result, patients receive a 0% rating for this medical condition. Click the button below to get more information. Hearing Loss is the #2 overall most claimed VA disability while Tinnitus is the #1 most common VA claim. B. Each ear is not rated separately and only one rating can be given for both ears. VA Ratings for Hearing Loss are based on the hearing ability of BOTH ears. 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. I 38 CFR 4.85 - Evaluation of hearing impairment. The examination will include the following tests: Puretone audiometry by air conduction at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000 Hz and 8000 Hz, and by bone conduction at 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, and 4,000 Hz, spondee thresholds, speech discrimination using the recorded Maryland CNC Test, tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests (ipsilateral and contralateral), and, when necessary, Stenger tests.