On numerous occasions, veterans have expressed frustration to me concerning discrepancies between their VA-conducted Compensation and Pension Examination (C&P) and private audiologist-conducted hearing evaluation.
Normally, disputes between level of disabilities can be resolved with the private physician completing a VA-published Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for the condition in dispute. A link to the various DBQs can be found at VA Disability Benefits Questionnaire. For hearing loss, however, the VA has not published a DBQ. I suspect this is due to Title 38’s requirement that “examinations for hearing impairment be conducted by a state-licensed audiologist using a ‘controlled speech discrimination test (specifically, the Maryland CNC recording) and a pure tone audiometry test in a sound isolated booth that meets American National Standards Institute standards … for ambient noise.’” See 38 C.F.R. § 4.85(a). Accordingly, I have drafted my own “DBQ” that is in compliance with Section 4.85(a). A copy can be downloaded at the following link at DBQ Hearing Loss.
The entirety of Section 4.85 (Evaluation of Hearing Impairment) can be found below.
38 C.F.R. § 4.85 Evaluation of hearing impairment.
(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. Examinations will be conducted without the use of hearing aids.