Hello Veterans!

I recently saw something about some changes concerning Tinnitus and the VA benefits. Since there are many Veterans out there that have Tinnitus with or without hearing loss. (I would think that most veterans with Tinnitus also have hearing loss). 

Anyway, I decided to look and see if there is a correlation between Agent Orange and Tinnitus. And there is a possibility that there is. At this time the VA doesn’t recognize Agent Orange as connected to Tinnitus, but if your tinnitus is caused by an underlying issue, such as one of the diseases that are connected with Agent Orange, maybe… And of course, if a Veteran has some kind of hearing loss, that can bring on the onset of Tinnitus.        

Here is a link to a website called VA Claims Insider for more information: VA Tinnitus Rating Increase: Are Changes Coming? (vaclaimsinsider.com)

This could be deemed good or bad, depending on your situation. If passed it basically says it is changing how it evaluates and rates tinnitus. “The proposed changes would remove the separate VA rating for Tinnitus under DC 6260, and instead, rate Tinnitus only as part of its underlying pathology with Hearing Loss.” VA Tinnitus Rating Increase: Are Changes Coming? (vaclaimsinsider.com)

Having said that, if you already have been evaluated and rated, you will be ‘grandfathered in’ and will keep your current rating.

Have a wonderful day!