Originally Posted by
Hydguy
The VA no longer gives monetary compensation for a disability for hearing loss, and that policy is at a minimum 12 years old.
I have significant hearing loss in the conversational range of tones, and had my baseline reset in 1995 after failing several hearing tests.
I was given the VA standard of 10% non-monetary compensation when I got out in '02.
If the people you know with the rating read their rating decision paperwork, they will see it clearly states that there is no monetary compensation for hearing loss/tinnitus.
A possible reason your buddy passed after wearing ear plugs for a day is that it gave is ears a rest from almost all sound, and that can temporarily allow the ear to hear tones that are in the range of damage. But it is only temporary, as once the damaged ocurrs, it is permenent...
And if you have been shooting without ear pro on any kind of regular basis, you will have suffered damage. The extent of that damage will vary from person to person, but the damage is permenent, AND cumulative...