Question:
I have 100% disability, total and permanent on hearing. I'm also rated 50% for PTSD, and 10% for tininitus. Will the VA reduce this if I get cochlear implants?
Jim's Reply:
I can't absolutely predict your outcomes but I get similar questions often enough and I think you likely won't place your rating in danger.
However, we're supposed to be rated on our conditions of the moment. If you're 100% for hearing loss that tells me you have a very serious hearing issue and the rating is likely appropriate. If your implants work as advertised and you don't have the same issues then as you have today, it makes sense that your rating should fall to show to degree of improvement to your pattern of hearing loss.
What usually happens is that a corrective surgery or therapy will occur and then a few months later a 'future exam' will happen and the examiner will focus on how much you've improved. Often enough when all factors are considered, your overall rating isn't likely to change. The examiner should consider the totality of the things that affect your rating, your mental health, scarring from surgery and any remaining hearing deficit and in total, you're likely to continue the rating without changes.
Good luck!