ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. –
VA Benefits for Veterans with Hearing Loss
According to the Federal Veterans Benefits Administration, tinnitus and hearing loss were among the most prevalent service-connected disabilities for veterans receiving compensation at the end of fiscal year 2009. During fiscal year 2009, 570,966 veterans received compensation for hearing loss associated with military service, and 639,029 received compensation for service-related tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
Veterans with hearing loss related to their military service may receive compensation benefits ranging from $123 - $2,673 per month, depending on the severity of the loss. If you are found to have a service connected hearing loss, the VA will also provide hearing aids at no charge.
Tinnitus is also a compensable disability up to a maximum of 10 percent. $123/month is the 10 percent compensable rating. Veterans filing disability claims with the VA should seek help from an accredited representative when filing for benefits. There are a number of National Organizations, for example the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars that have accredited representatives in around the State.
The staff at the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Service & Benefits Program is also accredited with the VA to assist veterans and dependents with their claims. You can reach a Veterans Benefits Specialist at your local Maryland Veterans Affairs Office at this web site: http://www.mdva.state.md.us/about/serviceProgram.html or you call or visit : Garry Brown, Veterans Service Officer, Harriet Hunter Building, 6420 Allentown Rd., Camp Springs, MD, 20748. Their phone number is 301-248-0463.
Questions about other services and programs for people with hearing loss?
Contact the Maryland Governor's Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODFHH) at 410-767-6290 or http://www.odhh.maryland.gov/.
Agent Orange: Thailand Military Bases
Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits.
A VA report may be of interest to anyone who served in Thailand during the Vietnam era. See the report at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp.
If you need help determining exposure or eligibility then contact the VA for help determining Agent Orange exposure and your eligibility for VA benefits.
By Telephone
Toll-free Helpline: 1-800-749-8387 Press 3
Health Care and Agent Orange Registry Health Exam: 1-877-222-8387 (Ask to speak to the Environmental Health Coordinator or the Patient Care Advocate) or go to:
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp
Compensation and Other Benefits: 1-800-827-1000
TDD (for hearing impaired): 1-800-829-4833
In Person
Health Care and Agent Orange Registry Health Exam: Go to your nearest VA medical facility see: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp
Compensation Benefits and Other Benefits: Go to: http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isflash=1
The Retiree Activities Office is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may visit our office in room A-200A, 1535 Command Dr., call us at 301-981-2726 or e-mail us at rao@andrews.af.mil.
We recommend you call the office prior to visiting us to ensure someone is on duty. We have a Web site at http://www.andrews.af.mil click on ''Retirees" on the right side of the page. There you will find a wealth of information that is of interest to you.
Back copies of all "Retiree Activities Corner" articles are available on-line. Go to our Retirees webpage and follow the instructions under the heading "Newspaper Column."