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Denied? Understanding how a VA claim for tinnitus is denied
Key Takeaways
If your VA disability claim is denied, it's not over.
Tinnitus, a condition that affects millions of people can be debilitating and burdensome. Unfortunately, for many veterans, tinnitus is only one of the health problems they encounter due to their military service. Despite its significant impact on their quality of life, the VA often disregards tinnitus as a minor condition, leaving many veterans to cope with it alone. This is why veterans with tinnitus frequently encounter challenges in obtaining the necessary assistance to manage the condition. Despite the fact that tinnitus is one of the most common disabilities among veterans, affecting about 15% to 20% of people across the nation, many of them are denied disability benefits for this condition. This can be frustrating and confusing for veterans, who may struggle to understand why their disability claim was denied.
It is extremely important to explore some of the reasons why veterans may be denied disability for tinnitus and provide insights into how veterans can increase their chances of receiving the benefits they deserve. The VA has specific criteria that they use to evaluate tinnitus disability claims, and veterans should understand the evidence required to support these claims. Knowing this information will help you avoid the common mistakes that veterans make when submitting tinnitus disability claims, giving you the chance to avoid these mistakes. It is extremely important for veterans to better understand the disability claims process for tinnitus and how they can successfully navigate it. If you have been denied disability, the VA attorneys at Wettermark Keith are here to help.
Most Common Reasons Your tinnitus Disability Claim was Denied
There are several reasons why your VA case for tinnitus disability benefits may be denied. The most common ones include:
Lack of Evidence
The veteran may fail to provide sufficient medical evidence to establish that their tinnitus was caused or aggravated by their military service.
Inadequate Documentation
The VA may require specific documentation or forms to support the veteran's claim for tinnitus disability benefits, and if such documentation is not provided, the case may be denied.
Failure to Attend Appointments
Discharge Status
A veteran's discharge status may impact their eligibility for disability benefits. For example, veterans who received a dishonorable discharge are generally not eligible for VA benefits.
Pre-existing Condition
If the veteran's tinnitus existed before their military service or is unrelated to their service, the VA may deny their claim.
Insufficient Service Connection
The veteran may not be able to establish a clear connection between their tinnitus and their military service, leading to a denial of their claim.
If you have been denied for any of the above reasons or others, contact a VA disability attorney from Wettermark Keith immediately. They will be able to help you file an appeal by gathering new evidence and communicating with the VA for you.
What is considered a veteran service connection to the VA?
In order you prove a service connection to the VA, you must establish three things:
1. Current diagnosis of the medical condition
To establish a claim for disability benefits, you must have a current medical diagnosis of the condition you are claiming. This can be achieved by providing medical records from your treating physician or undergoing a medical evaluation conducted by the VA.
2. Evidence of an in-service event or injury
To support your claim for disability benefits, you must provide evidence demonstrating that the condition you are claiming is linked to an event or injury that transpired during your military service. This can be achieved by furnishing documentation of the event, such as service records, medical records, or testimonies from witnesses.
3. A medical nexus linking the current diagnosis to the in-service event or injury
To substantiate your claim for disability benefits, you must present medical evidence that establishes a clear connection between your current diagnosis and the in-service event or injury. This can be accomplished by submitting medical opinions from healthcare providers or other medical professionals that elucidate how the in-service event or injury led to or exacerbated your current condition.
After you apply for disability, the VA will evaluate the evidence you provide and make a determination as to whether there is a service connection for your condition. If the VA determines that there is a service connection, you may be eligible for disability compensation and other benefits. If they do not determine a disability service connection, then they will deny your application.
If they do so, you can reach out to a VA attorney from Wettermark Keith for further assistance. The process of proving a service connection can be complex and time-consuming, which is why a VA attorney can be extremely helpful for denying your appeal. It’s extremely important to know that a denial does not always mean that disability compensation is not in your future.
How does a VA disability attorney help appeal a denied claim?
If your VA disability claim is denied, a skilled attorney can assist you in appealing and overturning the decision. When you receive the denial letter, thoroughly review it with your lawyer to understand the VA's rationale. Your attorney may first recommend filing a supplemental claim or requesting a higher-level review before starting a formal appeal. These options allow presenting new evidence to support your case without initiating the lengthy appeals process.
If those are unsuccessful, your lawyer can help craft a compelling Notice of Disagreement to formally appeal the denial. They will gather additional medical records, service records, buddy statements, and other new evidence to bolster your case. Your attorney will carefully navigate the complex appeals process on your behalf, clearly explaining the various stages and determining the strongest arguments to focus on. Having an experienced disability lawyer greatly improves your chances of a successful appeal.
It's important to remember VA denials are common, and the appeals system allows veterans to prove their entitlement to benefits. Don't get discouraged if your claim is denied - leverage the appeals process with the help of a skilled attorney. At Wettermark Keith, our VA disability attorneys have successfully guided veterans through appeals for decades. Contact us today to discuss your options and begin crafting your appeal strategy. We're committed to helping you obtain the benefits you deserve.
Wettermark Keith: VA Disability lawyers will help if the VA denied your tinnitus claim
When applying for a disability claim in regard to your tinnitus, there is a possibility that your application will be denied by the VA. That’s where Wettermark Keith can help. When you partner with Wettermark Keith, you’ll have a team of knowledgeable individuals working for you, making sure that you don’t back down from getting your benefits. Our VA Attorneys are accredited by the Veterans Administration to represent veterans in claims for benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs, and our only goal is to obtain the resources you need to live the rest of your life with comfort and support.
With offices located throughout Alabama, Tennessee and Florida, Wettermark Keith has an excellent reputation as one of the most accomplished personal injury firms in the country. We have a diverse range of practice areas, including Veterans Affairs. We practice with care and compassion, making sure we understand your disability and convey that to the VA as best as we can. We do this by building strong relationships based on constant communication, trust, and a dedication to the truth. Caring for you is our goal, and winning is just how we show it. Contact us to set up your free consultation with an attorney at Wettermark Keith by calling us or contacting us through our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to receive a VA disability rating for tinnitus without having hearing loss. Tinnitus is considered a separate disability from hearing loss, and a veteran can be rated for each disability separately. The VA has a separate disability rating schedule for tinnitus that takes into account the severity of the symptoms and how much the condition affects the veteran's ability to work and carry out daily activities. However, if the veteran has both hearing loss and tinnitus, the VA will evaluate them together to determine the overall rating for both disabilities.
Tinnitus is a common condition among veterans because of their exposure to loud noises during their military service. Military personnel are often exposed to gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, heavy machinery, and other loud noises that can damage their hearing and lead to tinnitus. In addition, veterans may be exposed to noise pollution during their service, which can also contribute to the development of tinnitus.
While not all soldiers develop tinnitus, it is a common condition among military personnel. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, tinnitus is the most common service-connected disability among veterans, affecting over 2.7 million veterans in the United States. Studies have shown that up to 50% of military personnel experience some degree of hearing loss or tinnitus as a result of their service.
Tinnitus can present in many different ways, and there is no one "rarest" form of the condition. Some people with tinnitus may experience a high-pitched ringing sound, while others may hear a buzzing, hissing, or pulsing sound. Tinnitus can also be subjective, meaning that only the person experiencing it can hear the sound, or it can be objective, meaning that a doctor can also hear the sound through a stethoscope.
Tinnitus can be caused by damage to the ear or the brain, depending on the underlying cause of the condition. In many cases, tinnitus is caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear that are responsible for sending sound signals to the brain. However, tinnitus can also be caused by neurological conditions that affect the auditory system, such as Meniere's disease, acoustic neuroma, or head injuries. In these cases, tinnitus is caused by abnormal activity in the brain rather than damage to the ear.
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