How do they deny a tinnitus claim? Can they even test for it beyond the standard audiogram? It seems to me like VA docs can’t very well tell you that you don’t have ringing in your ears
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- Thread starter ChuckMK23
- Start date
They won’t say you’re full of shit, they’ll just have a bureaucrat tell you it isn’t service connected.
Standard audiogram, and some extra language sounds testing where I had to identify similar sounding words over background noise. In fairness, I did pass the test. I didn’t consider it worth following up on after the tinnitis appeared to go away on its own.
Basically, if it isn’t in your service record, it’s getting denied. When it comes to dental, even if it IS in your service record, it’s probably getting denied. That was a weird conversation after a claim and appeal that I still don’t understand.
Bottom line, the VA and I are not on great terms, but I don’t rely on them for any care, thank God.
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Jesus fucking Christ
I would say “have closed”.
The VA changed the way they rate tinnitus in 2025. It is no longer a stand alone condition, but viewed as a symptom of another primary condition. So, it usually has to be linked to a hearing loss diagnosis. FWIW, I just went through the C&P process and successfully got a 10% rating for tinnitus because it was connected with mild hearing loss, that incidentally had a 0% rating. You basically have to be deaf and on hearing aids to get any rating at all for hearing loss, but that is the way to get compensated for your tinnitus. You can amend your claim on that basis, if you think the extra 10% is worth the effort.
Based on that, I wouldn’t qualify. I apparently got out at a time when expectations had not caught up with the changing realities of VA claims, or I was given bad gouge on claiming tinnitis.
Not to worry- I’m happy not to need hearing aids.
The only one I’m truly annoyed by is the dental denial. That was all over my record, including delay in treatment for my condition due to deployment. I got treated at my own expense as a civilian and just wanted the service connection in case something goes wrong later.
No dice.
Service connection for a dental issue is tough if it isn't an injury of some kind. Depending on your rating, you may still qualify for dental care through the VA, but it's probably no different than what you get via your retired dental plan.