Military Hearing Claims UKVeterans’ Hearing Loss Claims

AFCS hearing loss claim: how to apply, time limits and what to do if refused

TL;DR

  • An AFCS hearing loss claim is a no-fault application to Veterans UK for hearing loss (with any associated tinnitus) caused or made worse by service on or after 6 April 2005. It is separate from a civil negligence claim against the MoD.
  • Claims for injury or illness must normally be made within 7 years of the earliest of the trigger dates set out in the scheme, though exceptions exist.
  • If you disagree with the decision, AFCS decisions are reconsidered first and can then be appealed to an independent tribunal within 12 months of the decision letter.

Position as at 16 October 2026, UK-wide. Based on GOV.UK guidance and the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation Scheme) Order 2011. General information only, not advice on your case.

What is an AFCS hearing loss claim?

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) compensates for injury, illness or death caused by service on or after 6 April 2005, according to GOV.UK guidance from Veterans UK. Hearing loss is claimed as an injury or illness under the scheme, and the tariff treats associated tinnitus as part of the hearing loss award (see below). It works without proving fault: you do not need to show the Ministry of Defence was negligent.

There are two main types of award: a tax-free lump sum for pain and suffering, and, for more serious injuries, a Guaranteed Income Payment. The value is set by a tariff of injuries fixed by Parliament, not by negotiation.

If your hearing was damaged by service before 6 April 2005, GOV.UK says the War Pension Scheme may apply instead. The application route described below is the same service for both schemes.

Who can make an AFCS hearing loss claim?

Regular service personnel and members of the reserves in all three services can claim, whether still serving or no longer serving, according to the AFCS guidance. The hearing condition must have been caused or made worse by service.

AFCS is separate from a civil claim. GOV.UK states that the scheme does not seek to affect the right to make a civil claim where negligence by the Department is alleged. Our AFCS vs civil claim comparison sets out how the two routes differ, and the eligibility check covers the civil route.

How long do you have to make an AFCS hearing loss claim?

Claims for injury or illness must normally be made within 7 years, counted from the earliest of these dates, according to article 47 of the 2011 Order and GOV.UK:

  1. the date the injury occurred;
  2. the date an injury not caused by service was made worse by service;
  3. for an illness, the date you first sought medical advice about it; or
  4. the date your service ended.

For an illness that first presents within the 7 years but is not diagnosed until less than a year before the period ends, article 47 extends the time by 3 years from diagnosis. Article 48 sets a separate 3-year period from diagnosis for a "late onset illness" diagnosed by an accredited medical specialist. Article 49 allows the Secretary of State to extend time where someone was physically or mentally incapable of claiming.

GOV.UK also says a claim may be accepted outside the time limits in some circumstances and advises contacting Veterans UK if you are unsure. Because the trigger dates differ for each person, check your own position with Veterans UK or the Veterans Welfare Service.

This 7-year AFCS period is not the same as the 3-year civil limitation period, which runs from your date of knowledge. See our guide on claiming after leaving the army.

How do you apply for AFCS for hearing loss or tinnitus?

You apply through the Apply for Armed Forces Compensation or a War Pension service on GOV.UK, online or on a paper form requested from the Veterans UK Helpline. GOV.UK lists what you will be asked for:

  • your personal details, including your National Insurance number;
  • your armed forces service, including dates if you know them;
  • the illness or injury you are claiming for and why you think it relates to service;
  • your doctor's details and any hospitals that treated you;
  • any other compensation or benefits you have received for the condition; and
  • your bank account details.

GOV.UK says you do not need to obtain new information you do not already have, and that you do not need a solicitor or claims management company to apply. Free independent help is available from the Veterans Welfare Service and charities. If you choose paid representation, GOV.UK notes that Veterans UK cannot meet the cost.

What happens after you claim?

According to the same GOV.UK page:

  • you should receive an acknowledgement within 5 working days;
  • a caseworker reviews the claim and may consult a Medical Advisor;
  • if more evidence is requested you have three months from the request to provide it, or the claim will be closed;
  • you receive a decision letter, and if the claim succeeds, payment is arranged within up to 20 working days of notification.

GOV.UK says claims can take many months.

How does the AFCS tariff treat hearing loss and tinnitus?

The tariff is in Schedule 3 to the 2011 Order (Table 7, senses), as published on legislation.gov.uk. Hearing items are defined by average hearing threshold across 1, 2 and 3 kHz. The schedule states that all awards for hearing loss, including blast injury to the ears and acute acoustic trauma, include compensation for associated tinnitus, and that no separate award is payable for tinnitus alone.

Examples from the current text (level 1 is the most serious):

  • total deafness in both ears is level 2;
  • bilateral permanent hearing loss of more than 75 dB (not caused by blast or acute acoustic trauma) is level 6, and of 50 to 75 dB is level 8;
  • blast injury to the ears or acute acoustic trauma from impulse noise with permanent bilateral sensorineural loss of more than 75 dB is level 5, and of 50 to 75 dB is level 7;
  • blast injury or acute acoustic trauma with loss in one ear has its own entries, at levels 10 and 11 depending on the degree of loss, and level 13 for blast injury to the ears or acute acoustic trauma without those hearing thresholds.

This is a selection, not the full table, and the schedule is amended from time to time, so read the current text on legislation.gov.uk. This page does not state payment amounts, which are set separately and change. Our military tinnitus claim guide covers tinnitus in a civil claim, which is assessed differently.

What can you do if your AFCS claim is refused?

Under GOV.UK appeals guidance, the decision letter tells you whether you can appeal. For AFCS decisions:

  1. Ask for a reconsideration. If you think Veterans UK did not know relevant facts, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again. The law requires Defence Business Services to reconsider an AFCS decision before an appeal can proceed.
  2. Appeal to the independent tribunal. You have 12 months from the date of the decision letter. Late appeals need an explanation of the delay.
  3. Use the right form and address. For decisions made on or after 6 April 2023 where you live in England, Wales or overseas, you can use form WPAF1 or write to the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber. In Scotland and Northern Ireland a form must be completed and sent to the addresses given on GOV.UK.

You can nominate a representative, who does not have to be legally qualified. If you pay a lawyer to represent you, you pay their fees yourself.

Does an AFCS claim stop you bringing a civil claim?

GOV.UK states that AFCS does not seek to affect the right to make a civil claim for negligence. Civil claims depend on different tests, including time limits and proof of breach of duty. Our claims process page explains the civil route. If you want to know whether a civil claim may be open to you, you can start a free eligibility check, which refers eligible enquiries to an independent regulated law firm. We are not a law firm.

Sources

This page provides general information about the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme as at 16 October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not assess any individual case. Outcomes are never guaranteed. Speak to Veterans UK, the Veterans Welfare Service or a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority about your own circumstances.

Related articles