“Ringing in the ears,” also known as tinnitus, is the most commonly claimed VA disability for veterans, with close to 3 million receiving compensation.
It can lead to a variety of difficulties in everyday life, and contribute to other disabilities, like hearing loss, sleep apnea, TBIs and others.
People with tinnitus tend to have higher rates of depression.
If you are a veteran who suffers from this very common concern, and is also struggling with mental health symptoms, read on to see how you could service-connect the two for a higher VA rating and greater compensation and benefits.
The Link Between Tinnitus and Depression
Recent studies, including one published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), have highlighted a significant correlation between Tinnitus and Depression among the general public, including veterans.
Key findings suggest that individuals suffering with Tinnitus symptoms are at a much higher risk of developing Depression compared to those without.
The study emphasizes the impact of Tinnitus on various different kinds of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety and general stress, noting that constant and intrusive noise often has a detrimental effect.
This relationship is particularly impactful in the veteran population, where frequent exposure to loud noises during service often results in Tinnitus.
Getting a VA Rating for Depression Secondary to Tinnitus
The VA recognizes depression as a condition that can be secondary to Tinnitus.
This means if there is evidence that your Tinnitus symptoms contribute or worsens your symptoms of depression, you may be eligible for a VA rating for depression, in addition to your Tinnitus rating.
Understanding how to effectively service-connect and link these two conditions is key.
What does the process entail?
- Doctors Reports: This includes comprehensive reports from your doctor that detail why your tinnitus may be linked or worsening your sleep apnea.
- Documenting Symptoms and Effects: Why does one condition impact the other? For instance, tinnitus might disrupt your sleep patterns, contributing to the severity of your sleep apnea.
- Establishing a Connection: The VA looks for a clear connection between service-related conditions.
- Organize Your Documentation: Keep all your health records, doctor’s notes and related medical information in an organized manner. This makes it easier to reference and submit them as part of your claim.
Want to know what compensation you could receive with additional secondary conditions?
Navigating the VA’s complex disability rating tables can be overwhelming and confusing.
That’s where our VA Disability Calculator comes in – a tool specifically designed to save you time and effort!
With just a few clicks, you can gain insights into:
- Your Expected Disability Rating: No more guessing or trying to interpret complicated tables. Our calculator provides a clear estimation of the rating percentage for your specific condition or combined conditions.
- Your Potential Compensation: Understand the financial support you might be eligible for. Our calculator breaks down the compensation tied to various disability ratings, giving you a clear picture of your potential benefits.
Ready to find out what your VA disability rating and compensation could look like?
Try our VA Disability Calculator now by clicking here!
Cassandra Crosby, an Accredited Agent and claims advocate for Matthew Hill & Shelly Mark’s teams, reviewed the information provided in this post.
