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This post will cover the top VA secondary conditions to tinnitus, helping you understand your potential benefits and compensation!
Tinnitus ranks as one of the most common VA disabilities, causing ringing or other noises in the ears. However, the pain doesn’t stop there. Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition on its own, but it can also lead to various secondary disabilities that significantly impact your life.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 secondary conditions to tinnitus and more.
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Top 5 Secondary Conditions to Tinnitus
While there are many conditions that can be secondary to tinnitus, several are frequently found in veterans.
The Top 5 secondary conditions to tinnitus are:
- Migraines secondary to tinnitus
- Anxiety secondary to tinnitus
- Depression secondary to tinnitus
- Somatic Symptom Disorder secondary to tinnitus
- Meniere’s Syndrome secondary to tinnitus
Migraines Secondary to Tinnitus
It is common to develop migraines because of tinnitus, which could qualify you for a secondary VA disability. Although you can only get a 10% rating for tinnitus, you could possibly receive a 0%, 10%, 30%, or 50% VA rating for migraines secondary to your tinnitus.
CFR 38, Part 4, the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, lists “migraines” under diagnostic code 8100.
The migraines VA rating scale consists of four rating possibilities: 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%.
| VA Rating for Migraine Headaches | VA Rating |
| Migraines with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability | 50% |
| Migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over last several months | 30% |
| Migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over last several months | 10% |
| Migraines with less frequent attacks | 0% |
Anxiety Secondary to Tinnitus
The VA Ratings for Anxiety secondary to tinnitus are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%, depending on the severity of your anxiety disorder, and how your symptoms affect your work, life, and social functioning.
Depression Secondary to Tinnitus
The VA Disability Ratings for Depression are as follows: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
You can only get a 10% rating for tinnitus but could possibly receive a VA disability rating for depression secondary to your service-connected tinnitus ranging from 0% to 100%.
Somatic Symptom Disorder Secondary to Tinnitus
The VA Disability Ratings for Somatic Symtom Disorder (SSD) are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 100%.
Although you can only get a 10% rating for tinnitus, you could possibly receive a VA disability rating for somatic symptom disorder secondary to your service-connected tinnitus ranging from 0% to 100%.
Meniere’s Syndrome Secondary to Tinnitus
VA Ratings for Meniere’s Syndrome are 30%, 60%, or 100%. The VA rates Meniere’s syndrome (aka Meniere’s Disease) as an ear condition under diagnostic code 6205, Meniere’s syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops).
It’s possible to get a 30%, 60%, or 100% VA rating for Meniere’s syndrome secondary to tinnitus.
Other Secondary Conditions to Tinnitus
Insomnia Secondary to Tinnitus
VA ratings for insomnia range from 0%-100%, with the highest rating given to veterans with total occupational and social impairment.
Ratings for insomnia secondary to tinnitus are 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, and 100% and are covered under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Codes (DC) for Mental Disorders.
Hypertension Secondary to Tinnitus
Veterans may develop hypertension (high blood pressure) secondary to tinnitus because elevated blood pressure can force blood to travel through arteries and veins quicker, making tinnitus more noticeable.
VA ratings for hypertension secondary to tinnitus can be 10%, 20%, 40%, or 60%.
| VA Disability Percentage for Hypertension | VA Rating Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% rating | Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more, or requiring continuous medication. |
| 20% rating | Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more. |
| 40% rating | Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more. |
| 60% rating | Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more. |
Vertigo Secondary to Tinnitus
The VA rates vertigo using one of two diagnostic codes, depending on the severity of your symptoms: DC 6204, peripheral vestibular disorders, or DC 6205 Meniere’s syndrome.
Vertigo VA Ratings range from 10% to 30% under the DC 6204, and while under the 6205, rating ranges from 30% t0 100%. Veterans diagnosed with tinnitus may experience vertigo, worsening their condition. Therefore, if you experience vertigo due to tinnitus, you may be eligible to receive a VA rating for vertigo secondary to your tinnitus.
Keep in mind the conditions mentioned in this article are general secondaries and don’t guarantee service connections. Every veteran has a different case, and you must seek an independent medical opinion about how your conditions are related to each other.
Maximizing Benefits for Secondary Claims to Tinnitus! (Video)
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