Question:

Jim, I have mild to severe hearing loss from serving in an Artillery unit, 4 Armored Division, 1966-68. I’ve worn hearing aids for over 30 years. I am VA rated at 20% serviced-connected disability. I also have severe sleep apnea. I’ve read some articles that say hearing loss and tinnitus can cause sleep apnea. I’m just curious if you know anything about this, and if the VA has done studies on how hearing loss and sleep apnea are related. Thank you for your time concerning my question.

Jim's Reply:

There are all kinds of studies that relate hearing loss to dozens of secondary conditions...all hard to prove for the individual veteran. I'd offer that you should have a hearing test done by a civilian specialist and apply for a much higher hearing loss rating...I'm guessing your rating is old and your hearing loss is substantially worse. Profound hearing loss can be rated as high as 100% and even more and that's a more logical path for you to take to compensate your hearing troubles.