Jim,

 Thank you for what you do. I am sure that anyone who reads your emails is more than greatful for your advice and support. I do have a question though. I have a friend who was rated 20% S.C. for Bilateral hearing loss.

 He filed for an increase and was awarded 50% just about a year ago. Recently he has received a letter from the VA stating that his hearing has improved and therefore they are reducing him to 20%. This person is 86 years old, I cannot see how his hearing has gotten that much better that they can decrease his benefits by that much?

 Thank you for whatever advice or input that you may have.

 Reply:

 He should write an appeal letter. This is the *only* way to address this. No amount of calls or emails will help.

 The appeal letter should be brief and simple. It should say, more or less; "I disagree with your proposal to reduce my rating because my hearing has improved. You have not provided any medical evidence to support such action. My hearing loss has not improved and is more than likely even worse than before."

 Use that or similar phrasing and type it up in the basic format you'll find here http://www.vawatchdog.org/Letter_Templates.html

 These sorts of appeal letters are timely so he should get that in the mail soon. Use only certified mail, return receipt requested.

 I'd advise that after the letter is posted that he get an appointment with a civilian audiologist for a hearing exam. He'll probably have to pay for the exam out of pocket. It will be worth it. Once the exam is completed, the results should be mailed in as above and as a follow-up to the letter.

 This amount of letter writing may sound like overkill. It isn't. This is the only effective way of halting these sorts of unwarranted actions.