Tinnitus, which is often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears that no one else can hear, is known to affect millions of veterans. If you’ve served in the military and developed tinnitus, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Understanding how tinnitus qualifies for benefits and how the VA assigns disability ratings can help you navigate the claims process more effectively.
What is Tinnitus and Why Is It So Prevalent with Veterans?
Tinnitus isn’t actually a condition itself but rather a symptom of underlying issues affecting the auditory system. Veterans commonly develop tinnitus due to exposure to loud noises during military service, such as gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, heavy machinery, or other combat-related sounds. The condition can manifest as ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring sounds that only the veteran can hear.
The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes tinnitus as one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans. According to VA data, tinnitus consistently ranks as the number one disability claim filed by veterans, with hundreds of thousands receiving compensation for this condition annually. This prevalence reflects the reality that military service often involves significant noise exposure that can cause lasting damage to the auditory system.
How Tinnitus Qualifies for VA Disability Benefits
To receive VA disability benefits for tinnitus, you must establish a service connection. This means proving three key elements: that you have a current diagnosis of tinnitus, that you experienced an in-service event or injury that could have caused it, and that there’s a medical link between your current condition and your military service.
The VA considers tinnitus service-connected when it results from noise exposure or injuries sustained during active duty. Common qualifying scenarios include exposure to loud weaponry, working around aircraft or vehicles, experiencing blast injuries from explosions, or sustaining head injuries during service. Even if your tinnitus didn’t appear immediately during service, you can still qualify if you can demonstrate that your military service caused or aggravated the condition.
When filing a claim, you’ll need to provide medical evidence documenting your tinnitus diagnosis. This typically comes from an audiologist or physician who can confirm that you experience persistent sounds in your ears. You’ll also need to submit evidence of your noise exposure or injury during service, which might include service records, deployment documentation, military occupational specialty information, or buddy statements from fellow service members who can verify your exposure to hazardous noise levels.
The VA Tinnitus Disability Rating System
Unlike many other VA disabilities that use a percentage-based rating scale from zero to one hundred percent, tinnitus has a unique rating structure. The VA assigns tinnitus a flat disability rating, meaning that regardless of how severe your symptoms are, you receive the same rating as other veterans with tinnitus.
Currently, the maximum VA disability rating for tinnitus is ten percent. This standardized rating applies whether you experience mild, occasional ringing or severe, constant noise that significantly impacts your daily life. The VA uses this single rating because tinnitus is considered difficult to objectively measure and verify, as the sounds experienced are subjective and cannot be detected by external testing equipment.
This ten percent rating is assigned under diagnostic code 6260 in the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The rating acknowledges that tinnitus is a real and often debilitating condition, even though the VA doesn’t differentiate between varying levels of severity in its compensation structure.
Veterans often express frustration with this flat-rating system, particularly those whose tinnitus severely impacts their quality of life, sleep, concentration, and mental health. However, this is the current framework the VA uses for all tinnitus claims. It’s worth noting that veterans’ advocacy groups and some lawmakers have called for reforms to this system to better reflect the varying degrees of impact tinnitus can have on veterans’ lives.
The VA Examination Process for Tinnitus
When you file a claim for tinnitus, the VA will typically schedule you for a Compensation and Pension examination. During this exam, an audiologist or other qualified healthcare provider will assess your hearing and evaluate your tinnitus symptoms.
The examiner will ask about the characteristics of your tinnitus, including what type of sound you hear, when you first noticed it, how frequently you experience it, and how it affects your daily activities. They’ll also conduct hearing tests to check for any associated hearing loss, which is often present alongside tinnitus and can be rated separately.
It’s important to be honest and thorough during your examination. Describe your symptoms accurately, including how tinnitus affects your sleep, concentration, work performance, and relationships. While this information won’t change your tinnitus rating, it creates a comprehensive record of your condition and may support claims for secondary conditions related to your tinnitus.
Understanding Your Compensation
The ten percent disability rating for tinnitus translates to monthly compensation from the VA. The exact amount varies based on whether you have dependents and is adjusted periodically for cost of living increases. Veterans should check the current VA compensation rate tables to
determine their specific monthly benefit amount for a ten percent rating.
While ten percent may seem modest, this compensation is tax-free and continues for as long as your service-connected tinnitus persists. Additionally, having a service-connected disability rating may qualify you for other VA benefits, including healthcare through the VA system.
Secondary Conditions and Additional Benefits
Although tinnitus itself receives a maximum ten percent rating, veterans may be eligible for additional compensation if tinnitus causes or contributes to other conditions. Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or insomnia that develop as a result of chronic tinnitus may qualify as secondary service-connected disabilities with their own separate ratings.
If you believe your tinnitus has led to other health problems, you can file secondary service connection claims. These require medical evidence linking the secondary condition to your service-connected tinnitus. Successfully establishing secondary conditions can significantly increase your overall disability rating and compensation.
Moving Forward with Your Claim
If you’re a veteran experiencing tinnitus that you believe is related to your military service, don’t hesitate to file a claim. Gather your service records, obtain a current diagnosis from a healthcare provider, and document how your symptoms affect your life.
Remember that even if your initial claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. In the event if you find yourself in this situation, please contact our veterans benefits law firm today to discuss your legal options. One of our experienced and knowledgeable veteran’s disability lawyers would be more than happy to discuss your case.
Have Questions? Speak to an Experienced VA Disability Benefits Lawyer
Understanding the VA disability rating system for tinnitus empowers you to pursue the benefits you’ve earned through your service. While the ten percent rating may not fully reflect the impact of severe tinnitus, it represents recognition of your service-connected condition and provides ongoing compensation and access to VA healthcare services.
If your initial benefits application is denied, consider hiring a knowledgeable veterans benefits lawyer. Why? Because an attorney is trained in the law and understands the complex regulations utilized by the VA to decide claims. In addition, veterans disability lawyers are particularly skilled in gathering and developing the medical and other evidence needed to present a claim in the best possible light. Call us at (856) 795-8880 or contact us online for a no-obligation claim review.
Jennifer Stonage is a Senior Associate Attorney at Bross & Frankel, P.A. and primarily assists with the firm’s Veteran’s Benefits matters. She believes that the veterans who served our country are entitled to the help and compensation they are entitled to, and will put her knowledge to work to secure the highest possible compensation ratings. The VA process can be incredibly tricky to navigate. Let somebody who knows the system work to help you.