If you served in the U.S. military between 2003 and 2015 and now live with hearing loss or tinnitus, you may have a claim. Segal Law Firm is reviewing 3M Combat Arms earplug cases for veterans and active-duty service members.
3M sold Combat Arms dual-ended earplugs to the U.S. military for over a decade. Internal documents showed the company knew the design was defective — yet it kept selling them without warning. Hundreds of thousands of veterans paid the price with their hearing.
What happened with 3M Combat Arms earplugs
3M's Combat Arms version 2 earplugs (CAEv2) were standard issue across multiple branches from 2003 to 2015. The plugs were marketed as protecting hearing while allowing command voices to come through. Litigation revealed 3M knew the plugs were too short to seal properly — and concealed that information from the military.
After one of the largest mass torts in U.S. history, 3M agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement program. Veterans with qualifying hearing loss, tinnitus, or related conditions who used CAEv2 plugs may still be eligible for individual review.
What you may recover
- Compensation for hearing loss
- Compensation for tinnitus
- Medical & hearing-aid costs
- Lost income from disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
What veterans should do
Even if you've heard about the settlement, your individual review still matters.
Gather service records
DD-214, deployment dates, unit assignments. We use these to confirm CAEv2 issuance during service.
Get an audiology evaluation
If you haven't been formally tested, schedule one — VA or private. Audiograms are central evidence.
Document VA claims
Any VA disability ratings for hearing loss or tinnitus help establish service connection.
Call us for a free review
We confirm eligibility, walk you through the process, and handle the paperwork — at no upfront cost.
Why veterans choose Segal
We work with veterans, not on them
Direct attorney contact. Plain-language explanations. We respect your service and your time.
Mass-tort experience
We've handled large-scale product litigation for decades and know how to navigate settlement programs.
Service-record verification
We help obtain DD-214s, deployment records, and audiology files when you don't have copies.
No upfront cost, ever
Contingency only. You owe nothing unless we recover for you.
Deadlines apply even in settlement programs.
Eligibility, registration, and proof deadlines vary. Even if you've heard about the settlement, talk to us — late or incomplete claims often get denied.
The injuries we review
Hearing-related conditions linked to CAEv2
Permanent hearing loss
Partial or total, in one or both ears. Often requires lifetime hearing aids and impacts every part of daily life.
Tinnitus
Constant or intermittent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears. One of the most-reported service-connected disabilities.
Hyperacusis
Painful sensitivity to ordinary sounds. Often appears alongside tinnitus and is severely disabling.
Loss of balance
Vestibular issues sometimes connected to inner-ear damage from improper hearing protection.
Sleep disruption
Tinnitus and hearing loss frequently cause chronic insomnia and related health effects.
Emotional & cognitive impact
Anxiety, depression, and cognitive difficulty linked to long-term untreated hearing loss.
Career & income loss
Disability ratings, missed promotions, jobs lost due to hearing-related limitations.
Quality-of-life damages
Loss of music, conversation, social connection — the daily losses of life with hearing damage.
Frequently asked
Answers before you call
Didn't 3M already settle?+
Yes — 3M agreed to a multi-billion dollar settlement program. But individual eligibility, documentation, and award amounts still need to be established case by case. We help you navigate that.
I never registered for the original MDL. Am I out of luck?+
Not necessarily. Late-registration windows and alternative paths sometimes exist. Call us so we can review your specific timeline.
What if I don't have my DD-214?+
We can help you request it from the National Archives. Other service documents and VA records can also support the claim.
Will this affect my VA benefits?+
Generally no. A 3M settlement is a separate claim from VA disability compensation. We're happy to discuss your specific situation.
Do I need to live in New York?+
No. We review claims from veterans across the country.
What does it cost?+
Nothing upfront. Contingency only. You owe nothing unless we recover.
Contact
Served between 2003 and 2015? Let's check your case.
Free, confidential review for veterans nationwide. Thank you for your service.