The Truth About VA Claims For Tinnitus Exposed: Don't Fall for This Lie!

Tinnitus is a condition where a person hears one or more sounds that are not caused by an external source. These sounds can manifest as ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing or other noises and can be intermittent or continuous. While tinnitus affects people of all ages, it is more common in older adults.

The most common cause of tinnitus is exposure to loud noises over an extended period. Other causes include age-related hearing loss, ear infections, earwax buildup, head and neck injuries, and side effects from certain medications.

Tinnitus Among Veterans

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), tinnitus is the most prevalent service-connected disability among veterans, with over 2.7 million veterans receiving disability benefits for this condition.Veterans are at a higher risk of developing tinnitus due to their exposure to loud noises during military training and combat. This can include gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, and other sources of high-decibel sounds.

The VA Disability Claims Process

To receive disability compensation from the VA for tinnitus, a veteran must provide medical evidence that links their current condition to their time in service. This requires submitting a claim through the VA's disability compensation program.

The claims process involves gathering all relevant medical records and completing various forms and questionnaires. The VA will then review the evidence and determine if there is a connection between the veteran's tinnitus and their military service.

The Truth About VA Claims for Tinnitus

Many veterans may be hesitant to file a disability claim for tinnitus, believing that they won't receive compensation or that the process is too complicated. However, the truth is that tinnitus can significantly impact a person's quality of life, and veterans deserve to be compensated for this disability.

It is also essential to note that the VA considers any hearing loss as interconnected with tinnitus. This means that even if a veteran does not have significant hearing loss, they could still receive compensation for their tinnitus if it is linked to their military service.

Don't Fall for This Lie

One common misconception about VA claims for tinnitus is that veterans must have a specific decibel level of hearing loss to receive compensation. This is not true, and any veteran with diagnosed tinnitus can be eligible for disability benefits.

Some may also believe that the claims process takes too long or isn't worth the effort. While it can take some time and effort, receiving compensation for tinnitus can significantly improve a veteran's quality of life and provide financial support.

Tinnitus is a prevalent condition among veterans, but many are hesitant to file a VA disability claim due to misconceptions about the process. The truth is that veterans deserve compensation for their tinnitus, and the VA has programs in place to provide support. Don't fall for the lie that you won't receive benefits for your tinnitus - file a claim and get the support you deserve.

[armytruth]

I have tinnitus and no amount of money will get rid of this. I Wish I Never Had tinnitus this is a curse and nobody should have to deal with this

[Captkirk]

I didn't know about it until I saw the VA letter dated in 2010. That letter listed MOS's . The letter said if you were in that MOS, it was presumptive that your hearing loss and tinnitus were service connected.

[bribotic]

Craig- I stumbled on your channel two years ago. I watched your videos, listened to your guidance, and after a long road I was awarded 100% P&T service connected for Meniere's Disease with left ear hearing loss and tinnitus as secondary to the service connected disability of left eardrum perforation. This is life changing for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[tommarinevet]

Tinnitus is subjective...it is what a veteran says it is, period.

[TheHales]

With the VA/Military they like to use your words against you. When you go into those doctor appointments you have to be strategic, honest, and use VA/military language. Be prepared for off the wall questions, don’t allow them to minimize your disability.

[VeteranAnimosity]

I just got approved on hlr. I did everything and was denied x4 times. Did hlr had to wait 3 months for hlr. They recognize duty to assist, and they developed under the toxic exposure.I caved, gotta medical opinion More than likely than not. The doctor felt bad that I was denied so many times, he gave more than likely then not. I had to go to another CMP exam from the same examiner that denied me with less likely then not. Amazing I pointed it out on HLR that I complained about it in my medical records and even pointed it out on my service records. Took additional 4 months to correct, and I found out on Saturday that I won my appeal. Its not much 10 percent but I just wanted to be rated properly.

[anthonythompson]

CC it’s because of you and watching ur videos I won my Tinnitus claim the first time I was prepared for my C&P exam. I’m now sitting at 90%

[TheGraffitirr]

My last ear exam was when I was getting out (3 combat tours by now) and about 20sec into the exam I was told "we haven't started yet, please stop hitting the button." But I was hearing a pretty constant fire alarm.

[CPVet]

I’m 68. I filed after I was out for 30 years. Was diagnosed with tinnitus and filed a week later. Two weeks later I was service connected. By the way…14 years on the flight line as an Army helicopter pilot.

[BuSpike]

I'm glad I've won my case 3 years ago. Told them as a seabee I work along side of heavy equipment all the time and mine started back in 2006 and it's been none stop and it drives me crazy. I keep the tv on at night and play music and do other things that I can to try to drown out the noise that I am hearing constantly. It's even made me hard hearing as well

[retiredcryptohunter]

I’m rated for tinnitus and I started to notice it when I was on my first ship while I did tie down for helos on the flight deck on a Coast Guard ship. I didn’t think anything of it at the time and assumed it would go away but never did and is still slowly getting worse as I get older. It’s definitely the most fucking annoying issue I developed while in service and at times it does drive me crazy because the ringing is always there and never goes away.

[Mikeyy-y]

Thank God, I’ve had my tinnitus rating for over 20 years now. The VA cannot even take it away even if they change the rules about it.

[mr_hitstick.]

I'm currently rated for tinnitus, and ptsd, along with some mental health diagnosis that they threw all together at 70%. My claims for migraines which was a secondary claim was just denied as well as my sleep apnea claim. VA diagnosed me with sleep apnea and recommended a cpap but the VBA denied due to lack of service connection. What I don't understand is how can they say my sleep apnea could be related to depression ptsd ect but then I get denied 😢. And this was my supplemental claim because my sleep studies were not originally in my medical records. So I added the civilian study to my records and the VA had me do a second sleep study which showed the same results. I HAVE SLEEP APNEA, but I don't know what else to do but file a new sleep apnea claim as a secondary to my ptsd. VA also confirmed I have migraines but again lack of service connection was the reason for denial even tho I already have tinnitus.

[andrewfinley]

There are articles, peer reviewed, that prove that tinnitus can show up a year or years later after being exposed to high level noise due to occasional years, even with the approved OSHA protection, which by the way was nowhere close to today’s hearing protection.

[Hannoshobazz_Neolmech]

"ii've had it since my service"

[CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

I was just awarded tinnitus this month. I filled out the hearing test questionnaire just as you said and the tester did say i had some hearing loss. I haven't actually seen the hearing test results yet.

[iokona]

I failed at my C&P exam and got nothing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[edwardrice]

I was stationed at Torrejon during Desert Storm, we had the F-16s from the 612th FS at Incirlik during that time. I used to hate going TDY there. It was a real dump.

[aj_nyc]

2 points I would like you to touch on is: 1 - What is the best way to respond to denials or potential denials due to not reporting the ear ringing in service, when it was first noticed? 2 - What if you checked off no ringing in ears on an in-service ear exam, after the ringing in the ears started? Would it be best to get ahead of this by explaining it in the personal statement?

[StevenRivera]

I did their test and why? I got approved. I basically stated a timeframe and where and that was it