Veterans Disability for Tinnitus

Tinnitus is one of the most common conditions U.S. veterans receive benefits for. In 2023, it was the single most common service-connected condition among new VA disability recipients. In that year alone, 220,261 veterans started receiving VA disability benefits for tinnitus. Overall, more than ten times that number–2,944,093 veterans–received benefits for tinnitus. That’s 9.4% of new recipients and 7.9% of all recipients.

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Why is Tinnitus So Common Among Veterans?

While there are many possible causes of tinnitus, one of the most common is noise exposure. Another is hearing loss, which can be caused by noise exposure.

Servicemembers are exposed to high levels of noise from a variety of sources, including;

Gunfire
Explosives
Jets, helicopters, and other aircraft
Rockets
Machinery and equipment

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Eligibility for VA Disability Benefits for TInnitus

To secure VA disability benefits for tinnitus, the veteran will have to show both that they are suffering from tinnitus and that the condition is connected to their military service.

Service connection may be demonstrated by a combination of documentation such as:

Military service records showing the source of noise exposure
Medical records from before, during and after military service establishing when the condition started
Buddy statements speaking to either the exposure or when the condition started
A nexus letter from a medical professional explaining the connection

VA Disability Ratings for Tinnitus

Unlike most medical conditions, tinnitus has just one possible VA disability rating. If the veteran meets the criteria for recurrent tinnitus, they will be assigned a disability rating of 10%. That’s true whether the condition impacts one ear or both. At the 10% disability rating level, the veteran is entitled to medical treatment for the service-connected condition and a partial monthly monetary benefit. In 2024, the benefit for a veteran with a 10% disability rating is $171.23.

If you have service-connected tinnitus, it is worth exploring whether other medical conditions you suffer from may also be service-connected. For example, tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss, and both can be caused by noise exposure. Similarly, many people who suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have symptoms of tinnitus. If you have additional service-connected or secondary conditions, you may be entitled to a higher overall disability rating and receive increased benefits.

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A VA Disability Benefits Advocate Can Help

At Disabled Vets, our advocates put their skills and knowledge to work for disabled veterans and their families every day. If you believe you may be entitled to veterans disability benefits but don’t know how to prove your claim, your claim has been denied or you’ve received a disability rating you think is too low, we’re here for you. To learn more about how we can help, call 888-373-4722 right now, or fill out our contact form.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form