Vertigo, a condition that profoundly affects balance and daily life, can be a significant challenge for veterans. If you’re experiencing vertigo due to your military service or as a result of another service-connected condition, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. In this guide, we’ll dive into the world of vertigo VA ratings and connecting secondary conditions to maximize your benefits.
VA Disability Ratings for Vertigo
Peripheral Vestibular Disorders
- VA assesses vertigo under diagnostic code 6204, focusing on peripheral vestibular disorders impacting balance.
- Veterans can receive a 30% rating if they experience dizziness, including occasional staggering while walking.
- A 10% rating is provided for occasional dizziness without staggering.
Meniere’s Syndrome (Endolymphatic Hydrops)
- Vertigo stemming from Meniere’s disease, a condition affecting the inner ear and balance, is rated under diagnostic code 6205.
- Veterans can obtain a 100% rating if they have hearing loss coupled with frequent dizziness and staggering when walking.
- A 60% rating applies if these symptoms occur one to four times per month.
- A 30% rating is granted for hearing impairment with infrequent dizziness.
Understanding Vertigo: Signs and Causes
- Vertigo manifests as a spinning sensation and often brings along symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, double vision, fatigue, anxiety, and difficulty with balance.
- Recognizing these symptoms is crucial, as they form the foundation of your VA disability claim.
Causes of Vertigo
- Vertigo can be triggered by various factors, including infections and diseases affecting the ear.
- Common culprits include Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular Neuritis, Meniere’s disease, Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media, Chronic Otitis Externa, and Mastoiditis.
- The severity of vertigo symptoms varies, ranging from mild and manageable to severely debilitating.
Proving a Service Connection
To qualify for disability benefits for vertigo, establishing a service connection is a must. Key elements for proving this connection include:
- Onset of vertigo symptoms during military service.
- Diagnosis and symptoms emerging within one year of military discharge.
- Providing evidence of exposure to loud sounds or traumatic events that may have contributed to vertigo.
Vertigo and Tinnitus
While vertigo and tinnitus are separate conditions, they often occur together due to issues within the inner ear. For example, Ménière’s disease is a disorder that causes both severe dizziness (vertigo) and ringing in the ears (tinnitus), along with hearing loss and a feeling of fullness in the ear. This condition is linked to fluid buildup in the inner ear, which disrupts balance and hearing signals to the brain.
Other conditions like labyrinthitis and acoustic neuroma can also cause both vertigo and tinnitus. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s essential to seek medical evaluation, as the two may be related and impact your VA claim.
Getting a VA Rating for Vertigo Secondary to Migraines
Vertigo can often be a secondary condition to migraines, a common ailment among veterans. Establishing a connection between your migraines and vertigo is pivotal for obtaining VA disability benefits. Seek medical documentation and evidence to substantiate the link between these conditions.
Interested in learning more about migraines and VA ratings for them? Learn everything you need to know in our guide.
Click here to get up-to-date information on Migraine VA Ratings!
Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU)
For veterans unable to work due to the severity of their vertigo symptoms, TDIU offers a path to a 100% VA rating, irrespective of their schedular rating.
Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) offers veterans a chance to secure a 100% disability rating, even if their migraines alone do not meet the 100% schedular rating.
Here’s a brief overview:
- Eligibility: To qualify for TDIU, veterans must demonstrate that their vertigo and other service-connected conditions render them unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.
- Financial Relief: TDIU provides essential financial support to veterans who cannot work due to the debilitating effects of vertigo, helping them maintain a stable quality of life.
If you’re interested in exploring TDIU further and discovering how it can provide crucial financial assistance for veterans unable to work due to vertigo, download our comprehensive TDIU Guide for in-depth insights and guidance.
Click here for our comprehensive guide to Individual Unemployability!
