Gail:
Was the Tinnitus claim a denial or rating of 0 pct? If you received a 0% rating you can file a claim for a secondary condition to the Tinnitus that could possibly be as high as 100%, depending on the severity of the condition claimed.
On 17 Nov 2025 I filed a VA claim for 4 conditions that were secondary to 2 service connected conditions that were rated very low for the past 28 years. All 4 conditions were granted with approval from the VA on 10 Dec 2025. Before filing for a VA Claim I conducted a lot of research on the VA claims process so that I would have an understanding of the necessary elements for a claim to get successfully granted approval and as fast as possible, the following I found extremely helpful:
To satisfy the requirements for secondary service connection, the evidence must show:
(1) Medical evidence of a current disability. Get the medical evidence yourself and upload to the VA. If you rely on the VA getting your medical evidence will add another 4-6 months on your claim.
(2) A primary service connected disability. If no service connected disability the claim will be denied.
(3) A link or nexus establishing that the current disability is related to or aggravated by a service connected condition.
When filing a VA Claim, it is most important to provide and upload all medical evidence and necessary documentation to the VA Rater on a silver platter. The VA Rater gets points for speed and accuracy on processing claims. The more evidence that is provided upfront by you, prevents the VA Rater from having to retrieve from Service Treatment Records and Private Medical Records speeds up the process by months.
Regards,
George W Willis
Hey George,
Thanks for replying. As the tinnitus, it only began to be 24/7, 3 years ago. I have no medical documentation for it in the past. I think that the only help I can get will be Buddy Letters from those I worked with over the years, having them documenting the same issue from the same source.
On another thread, I was going thru t-shirts from the past & found the ones we had made up in BDY. I can't help but feel that I was a bit ugly when it came to you trying to get us active. I could have kept my mouth from flapping like it most likely did.
Thanks,
Gail
Agree that buddy letters would be helpful, especially from anyone with ‘gravitas’ (enlisted or officer).
Statements addressing sources of noise (mulching machines, actuator ‘thunk’, and the constant vacuum intake).
Consider a hearing test, too, to locate any specific frequencies of loss.
See also the OT group on Facebook. Looking into the paper.
Mine was just opposite I got 10% tinnitus and not service connected hearing loss. I spent years on filing claims, just last summer ended up 100%, got to keep on them. I take 6 meds for blood pressure and the VA disapproved claim but did finally raise heart compensation from 60 to 100%.
Hi Ruth & Michael,
I had a hearing test to establish I did have tinnitus. The Dr's write up supported my theory.
The decision letter from the VA states:
Service connection for tinnitus is denied.
Then it goes on to say that there are no entries in my service treatment records for complaints, treatment, or diagnosis for this condition.
(This is a tru statement as the condition only presented 3 years ago, full-time.)
They do concede that my MOS was acoustic analyst from which was exposure to hazardous noise.
You have been diagnosed with a disability. VA exam dated June 25, 2025 examiner confirms your diagnosis of tinnitus.
Other that this little consistent noise in my head, I am healthy with a challenge or 2, nothing major.
Gail, I just noticed this thread. A few years back I got a 30% rating based on tinnitus and subsequent hearing loss, as well as a foot surgery the Navy messed up. Both items were in my service record so approval was made easier but I also used a VA advocate office to do all the paperwork. All they do is process VA disability requests. The advantage of getting at least a 10% rating enables you to use VA facilities; I get free hearing aids and just had cataract surgery in November- what a blessing that’s been for better eye sight!
If you haven’t used an advocate yet I recommend you do.
I’ve read that 80% of people with tinnitus have hearing loss. From the number of system people with tinnitus I suspect it’s all related. My unscientific opinion is that it’s related to the vacuum system and the constant hissing sound it created. One more point, with hearing aids in I am not aware of the tinnitus.
I wish you luck with this effort, it’s worth the trouble.
Randy
Thanks Randy for sharing your experience. I had not considered an advocate to assist.
As you read, this only became consistent 3 years ago & I have no hearing loss. Just outright aggravation at the constant crackling. I was wondering is there had been any noise studies at the Navfacs concerning the vacuum systems, the always on noise from the actuators, & the A/C. Does anyone know of such a study, and if so, what the numbers were or the results of the studies or where to dig them up?
I had to fight through this also. I have 10% service connected for tinnitus. The hearing loss was denied even though above 3k hz
I can't hear anything.
Crazy system.