You were diagnosed with auditory processing disorder and you think it’s connected to an incident during your military service. You want to see if you can get VA disability benefits for the condition, but everywhere you turn is coming up blank, and you can’t find any rating criteria. Unfortunately, not much information on auditory processing disorder VA ratings is available. However, that does not mean there’s no path to VA disability for APD.
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Below, we explain what auditory processing disorder is, its risk factors among veterans, and how the VA may handle assigning an auditory processing disorder VA rating.
In this article about the auditory processing disorder VA rating:
What is auditory processing disorder?
Auditory processing disorder (APD) is a condition that affects the part of the brain that interprets auditory signals, like sounds and language. It is also sometimes referred to as central auditory processing disorder, or CAPD.
While APD is sometimes discussed as a type of hearing loss, individuals with the condition are typically able to hear fine, but may not understand what they are hearing. They may also have difficulties interpreting tone and inflection, multitasking while trying to listen, or reading and writing.
Over time, difficulties communicating with others can also sometimes lead individuals with APD to develop mental health complications like depression and anxiety.
Veterans and APD
Auditory processing disorder among veterans and military service members has not been closely studied. However, the Department of Defense and VA have acknowledged the challenges of diagnosing the condition in veterans and joined together in recent years to address gaps in testing, treatment, and information around APD.
Additionally, risk factors and causes of APD include:
- Lead poisoning
- Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Chronic ear infections
- Disorders affecting the central nervous system like stroke, seizures, and Alzheimer’s
- Aging and genetics
Head trauma in particular may increase the likelihood of a veteran developing APD, especially those who experienced combat during service.
Regardless of the exact cause, veterans will need to provide evidence linking their condition to military service in order to receive a VA rating for auditory processing disorder.
Auditory processing disorder VA rating
APD does not have its own diagnostic code in the Schedule of Ratings. However, this does not necessarily mean you cannot receive an auditory processing disorder VA rating. Veterans can and have successfully service connected their APD.
APD has features of both a neurological condition and hearing loss or impairment. Based on your circumstances, the severity of your condition, and your symptoms, the VA will determine the best analogous criteria for rating your auditory processing disorder if it is service connected.
Auditory processing disorder may be rated analogously using the VA’s hearing loss table, for example, or using the rating criteria for a condition like aphasia or apraxia of speech, which have similar symptoms involving communication loss.
Ultimately, because getting an auditory processing disorder VA rating can be a challenge, you may want to contact a VA disability lawyer. They can help you create the right strategy for your claim.
TDIU for APD
In some cases, a veteran may be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for auditory processing disorder or related health issues. TDIU is also known as individual unemployability or simply IU. Veterans are eligible for these benefits if they can’t hold down “substantially gainful” employment due to their service-connected conditions.
Dealing with auditory processing disorder can be a struggle for those affected. It can make working and communicating with others incredibly difficult. Severe APD may make it difficult to read, write, process spoken information, take phone calls, and more.
Additionally, APD can lead to mental health problems like anxiety and depression. The combined effects of auditory processing disorder and a mental health condition may create a stronger path to VA benefits and TDIU.
Veterans who receive TDIU benefits are compensated at the same level as those with a 100% disability rating, even though their combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, veterans can get VA disability for auditory processing disorder if the condition is connected to their military service.
APD does not have its own diagnostic code in the Schedule of Ratings. Based on your circumstances, the severity of your condition, and your symptoms, the VA will determine the best analogous criteria for rating your auditory processing disorder if the condition is service connected.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
