Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Your doctor will complete VA Form 21-0960N-2 (Hearing Loss and Tinnitus DBQ) after examining you. This walkthrough helps you prepare them. The DBQ is a standardized questionnaire; your doctor's answers directly determine your VA rating. Brief them on these specific points before the exam so nothing important is missed or underdocumented.

Common mistakes

• ×Asking your doctor to just "fill out the VA form" without briefing them - an uninformed completion is often generic and leads to lower ratings.
• ×Bringing the DBQ to a provider who has never seen you before - your treating physician who knows your history will write the most credible documentation.
• ×Going to the exam and waiting for the doctor to ask questions - come prepared with specific examples of your worst days and functional limitations.

These are the key clinical questions from the Hearing Loss and Tinnitus DBQ. Help your doctor understand what each question is asking and give them concrete examples for your situation. Print this section and bring it to the appointment. 1. What are the pure tone audiometry results? WHY IT MATTERS: Decibel loss determines hearing rating TIPS: Results from controlled audiogram required 2. What are the speech discrimination scores? WHY IT MATTERS: Combined with pure tone results for rating TIPS: Maryland CNC word list scores are used 3. Does the Veteran have recurrent tinnitus? WHY IT MATTERS: Tinnitus is rated separately (max 10%) TIPS: Describe the sound and its impact on concentration/sleep 4. What is the impact on daily activities? WHY IT MATTERS: Documents functional impact TIPS: Explain difficulties in conversations, TV, work settings

Common mistakes

• ×Not reporting tinnitus separately from hearing loss
• ×Trying to hear during audiogram instead of responding honestly
• ×Not mentioning exposure to noise in service

VA raters use the Hearing Loss and Tinnitus DBQ to determine your disability rating. The most important rating factors for this condition are: 1. Pure tone threshold averages at specific frequencies 2. Speech discrimination scores 3. Comparison of both ears using Table VI and VII 4. Tinnitus: 10% maximum regardless of one or both ears For each factor, give your doctor specific examples from your daily life so they can document accurately (not generically).

Common mistakes

• ×Forgetting to describe daily impact

Authority

• 38 CFR 4.1 - Functional impairment as the basis for rating.

Preparation checklist for the Hearing Loss and Tinnitus DBQ exam: 1. Request copies of in-service audiograms if available 2. Document noise exposure in service (weapons, machinery, aircraft) 3. Describe specific situations where hearing affects you 4. If you have tinnitus, describe the sound and when it occurs Remember: Describe your WORST days, not your average days. VA raters evaluate the full range of your disability including its worst manifestations.

Common mistakes

• ×Describing your best days or average functioning instead of your worst - VA rates the full range of disability.
• ×Minimizing symptoms out of stoicism or pride - accurate documentation is not exaggeration; it is honesty.
• ×Not mentioning secondary symptoms, side effects, or additional conditions the doctor may not ask about.