An elderly Veteran requested an early hearing aid replacement, and it was denied despite providing to VAC a new audiogram and a letter from an audiologist explaining why new hearing aids were needed. Due to the Veteran’s age, requesting an appeal was challenging. The Veteran contacted my Office for help saying, “I cannot hear properly, and it’s affecting my quality of life, my social interactions and my safety.”
Veterans are eligible for hearing aid replacements every four years. This elderly Veteran was only one year shy of eligibility. My Office researched the policy and discovered that early hearing aid replacements are done, at the discretion of a VAC authority, when:
- there is a significant change in hearing ability;
- repair of the existing aid isn’t feasible; and
- a treatment response is needed for tinnitus.
We contacted a Senior Analyst from VAC’s Treatment Benefits team who authorized the exception. As a result of our intervention, we were able to deliver good news to the Veteran.