For some veterans, tinnitus can also lead to vertigo, creating balance problems and dizziness. In these cases, veterans may be eligible for additional VA disability benefits. Here’s how vertigo can be service connected as secondary to tinnitus, the VA rating process, and what veterans need to know to file a successful claim.
How Military Service Contributes to Vertigo and Tinnitus
Tinnitus and vertigo are often interconnected through underlying conditions that affect the inner ear. Several service-related factors can contribute to both conditions:
- Noise Exposure: Veterans exposed to loud noises, such as gunfire, explosions, and heavy machinery, may develop tinnitus. This inner ear damage can also lead to balance issues, resulting in vertigo.
- Physical Trauma: Head and neck injuries from combat or accidents can affect the inner ear and brain, causing both tinnitus and vertigo.
- Neurological Damage: Exposure to jet fuels can also lead to neurological damage that can manifest as hearing loss and tinnitus. Read more here.
- Inner Ear Disorders: Conditions like Meniere’s Disease, which is prevalent among veterans, often cause both tinnitus and vertigo. Meniere’s Disease may be triggered or exacerbated by stress and physical trauma experienced during military service.
- Vestibular Damage: Prolonged exposure to extreme physical exertion or sudden changes in altitude can disrupt the vestibular system, leading to dizziness and hearing issues.
How to Prove Vertigo Secondary to Tinnitus
To establish a secondary service connection for vertigo due to tinnitus, veterans must provide compelling medical evidence demonstrating that their vertigo is either caused or worsened by their tinnitus. There are three critical steps to successfully file a claim for VA disability benefits:
1. Service-Connecting Tinnitus
Veterans must first have an existing service-connected disability for tinnitus. Without this foundation, VA will not connect vertigo as a secondary condition. Tinnitus is commonly rated at 10% under VA’s Diagnostic Code 6260. Learn more about tinnitus ratings here.
2. Diagnosing Vertigo
A current diagnosis of vertigo or a related vestibular disorder is essential. This diagnosis must be supported by medical records that document the veteran’s balance issues, dizziness, or related symptoms. Veterans should work with an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist to ensure proper documentation.
Conditions such as Meniere’s Disease or Peripheral Vestibular Disorders are commonly linked to both tinnitus and vertigo. Meniere’s Disease, for example, can cause severe vertigo episodes, which often follow a period of tinnitus.
3. Obtaining a Nexus Letter
A nexus letter from a qualified medical provider is crucial for proving a secondary service connection. The letter should clearly explain how the veteran’s tinnitus is causing or aggravating their vertigo. Referencing medical research, such as studies showing a link between tinnitus and balance disorders, can strengthen the claim.
Medical documentation, supported by buddy statements from friends or family describing the veteran’s experiences with dizziness or balance issues, can further solidify the case. Additionally, medical research can often be an important part of a winning VA claim.
Making a Claim for Vertigo Secondary to Tinnitus
Veterans seeking to file a claim for vertigo secondary to tinnitus should follow these steps to ensure a strong case:
- Obtain a Medical Diagnosis: Ensure that both your tinnitus and vertigo are clearly diagnosed and documented in your medical records. Work with your VA healthcare provider or a private ENT specialist to get the necessary tests and evaluations.
- Request a Nexus Letter: A nexus letter from your doctor linking your tinnitus to vertigo is essential. This letter should explain the medical connection between the two conditions, referencing any relevant studies or research to bolster the claim.
- Submit Your Claim: File your claim through the VA’s online portal, by mail, or in person at a regional office. Be sure to include all medical evidence, including your tinnitus diagnosis, vertigo diagnosis, and the nexus letter. Use VA Form 21-526EZ for disability compensation claims.
Increase Your VA Rating with Secondary Conditions
While tinnitus is capped at a 10% disability rating, veterans who can prove a secondary connection to vertigo may be able to increase their overall rating. A secondary service connection for vertigo can raise a veteran’s total compensation, especially if vertigo significantly impacts their balance, mobility, or ability to work.
Keep in mind that tinnitus and vertigo often arise from the same underlying condition, like Meniere’s Disease or other vestibular disorders. By identifying these conditions, veterans can ensure they receive the full range of benefits they deserve.
Case Example: Winning a 100% VA Disability Rating for Meniere’s Disease with Vertigo and Tinnitus
In this case, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from February 1976 to February 1979 filed a claim for disability benefits due to Meniere’s disease, which included symptoms of tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss in the left ear. The veteran was initially assigned a 30% disability rating for Meniere’s disease, but believed the severity of their symptoms warranted a higher rating. After appealing the decision, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals reviewed the evidence.
The Board ultimately decided to increase the veteran’s rating to 100%, recognizing the veteran’s frequent episodes of vertigo and cerebellar gait, occurring more than once a week, along with hearing loss and tinnitus. These symptoms were determined to significantly impact the veteran’s quality of life, warranting a higher disability rating.
How This Claim Was Won:
- The veteran consistently documented the frequency and severity of their Meniere’s-related symptoms, reporting attacks of vertigo and imbalance occurring multiple times per month. Medical records and VA examinations also confirmed the presence of these frequent episodes.
- The veteran provided strong testimony during an August 2010 Board hearing, describing how vertigo attacks would come on suddenly, sometimes with nausea, and how these episodes impacted their daily life and mobility. This personal account supported the severity of their condition.
- The veteran’s medical history, including multiple VA examinations, highlighted ongoing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss, with symptoms worsening over time. The veteran’s prescription medications offered little to no relief from their Meniere’s symptoms, which further demonstrated the chronic nature of the condition.
- VA regulations under Diagnostic Code 6205 provided clear criteria for a 100% rating based on the frequency of vertigo and cerebellar gait episodes. The Board resolved all doubt in favor of the veteran, noting that their condition met the highest threshold for disability compensation.
By presenting consistent medical evidence and strong personal testimony, the veteran successfully appealed for an increased rating, securing a 100% disability rating.
Getting Help with Your VA Claim
If you’ve been denied benefits for vertigo or other conditions, working with a VA-accredited attorney will help you navigate the process and increase your chances of a successful appeal. Click here for a free case evaluation today.
Content Reviewed by
Attorney Matthew Hill
Attorney Matthew Hill, licensed in Florida and Washington D.C., a dedicated advocate for disabled veterans with over two decades of experience, reviewed the information in this post.
