How do I win a VA claim secondary to tinnitus?

Specifically, veterans will need to demonstrate two things to VA to be granted service connection for secondary conditions to tinnitus: (1) a diagnosis for their secondary condition; and (2) medical evidence showing the link between their service-connected tinnitus and the secondary condition.

What are VA secondary conditions to tinnitus?

Tinnitus is one of the most commonly claims conditions by veterans, and it can lead those affected to develop secondary conditions such as sleep disorders, anxiety, and migraines.

What can you claim secondary to tinnitus?

Not only can tinnitus be a secondary condition that develops after service as a result of TBIs, hearing loss, head and neck trauma, etc., but it can also lead to other conditions such as depression, anxiety, migraines, and sleep apnea.

Can I claim anxiety secondary to tinnitus?

2. Entitlement to an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, to include as secondary to tinnitus.

What is the VA rating for migraines secondary to tinnitus?

Entitlement to an increased rating for tinnitus, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. 2. Entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. 3.

Secondary Conditions to Tinnitus VA Claims

How is sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus?

Researchers believe the connection between hearing loss and sleep apnea is the reduced oxygen levels associated with the latter. Reduced oxygen levels may damage cochlear cells— the cells in your ears— over time, which can result in hearing loss and disorders like tinnitus.

Can you claim depression secondary to tinnitus?

In a recent study conducted on veterans with tinnitus, clinicians found that 59.3 percent of the study participants had depression and 58.2 percent of the study participants had both depression and anxiety.

Is Vertigo secondary to tinnitus?

App. at 55. Accordingly, the Board concludes that service connection is warranted for vertigo as being secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection for vertigo as being secondary to the service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted.

Can Insomnia be secondary to tinnitus?

All subjects who an insomnia diagnosis had stated that insomnia developed subsequent to the onset of tinnitus. Thus, their DSM-IV-TR or modified DSM-IV-TR diagnosis was insomnia secondary to a medical illness, tinnitus (Table 2).

Can headaches be secondary to tinnitus?

He noted that tinnitus is frequently associated with headaches because tinnitus causes tension in the muscle of the neck which causes headaches. He also noted that frequent headaches are a common complaint in patients with tinnitus.

What conditions are secondary to hearing loss?

Depression, anxiety and all sorts of social disorders may be secondary to hearing loss. If you think you have any mental health effects from your hearing loss, you should apply for those as secondary disabling conditions.

What symptoms are secondary to tinnitus?

Persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Lack of motivation or interest in activities that usually derive pleasure. Difficulty sleeping and concentrating. Change in appetite resulting in weight loss or weight gain.

Is sleep apnea connected to tinnitus?

New research suggests sleep apnea may also be associated with hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus can also make it difficult to get a good night's sleep, which can compound the sleep problems associated with S.A. Researchers estimate that tinnitus impacts the quality of sleep for 50-60% of people with sleep disorders.

Is PTSD secondary to tinnitus?

The authors suggest that PTSD can increase negative reac- tions to tinnitus and worsen tinnitus perception. They also state that tin- nitus can serve to exacerbate PTSD symptoms.

How do I get a doctor to write my Nexus letter?

To obtain a medical nexus letter, you need to request one from a qualified physician. Ideally, the physician you choose is a specialist in the field that encompasses your health condition.

How does VA prove vertigo?

Overall, veterans will have to show the following elements of service connection: (1) a current diagnosis of vertigo; (2) evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness; and (3) a medical nexus linking their current, diagnosed vertigo to the in-service occurrence.

What is the average VA rating for vertigo?

The Board notes that the Veteran is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 6204 for peripheral vestibular disorder/vertigo. Under DC 6204, peripheral vestibular disorders, a 10 percent disability rating is warranted for occasional dizziness; and a 30 percent rating is appropriate for dizziness and occasional staggering.

What is the max VA rating for vertigo?

Entitlement to a higher initial rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran had active duty service from June 1990 to June 2010.

What is a VA secondary condition?

A secondary condition, according to the VA, is any physical or psychological problem that is worsened by a service-related disability. A secondary condition could have been something a veteran suffered from before they entered the military that was worsened by a service-related injury.

How do I prove I have sleep apnea?

Tests to detect sleep apnea include: Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, you're hooked up to equipment that monitors your heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while you sleep.

How does the VA determine if sleep apnea is service connected?

In order to establish direct service connection for sleep apnea, a claimant must show that they have a current, diagnosis of sleep apnea, an in-service event or illness/injury, and a medical nexus or link that shows the veteran's sleep apnea is related to their in-service event, injury/illness.

Why would a VA claim be denied sleep apnea?

The Department denies these claims because they do not have sufficient evidence to conclusively say that a Veteran is suffering from sleep apnea without a diagnosis, even if the Veteran exhibits the symptoms of the disorder.

Is there a C&P exam for sleep apnea?

What Happens During C&P Exams for Sleep Apnea? During the C&P exam for sleep apnea, the examiners will ask questions about your condition and how it affects you. VA examiners might complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for sleep apnea as well.

Does tinnitus make you tired?

People with tinnitus often have difficulty sleeping, and feel tired and fatigued during the day. They also appear to be significantly more likely to have sleep disorders than the general population.

Can CPAP help tinnitus?

Commonly used to treat sleep apnea, CPAP therapy can also minimize tinnitus because of your body's improved blood oxygen levels. As these levels improve, there is a reduction of pressure on your ears, which simultaneously alleviates tinnitus symptoms.