2025 VA Tinnitus Changes

For years, the tinnitus VA disability rating has been set in stone. If a veteran suffered from compensable tinnitus, they were assigned a 10% VA disability rating. That rating carries with it a small monthly monetary benefit–in 2025, $175.51/month. The veteran also receives VA healthcare services for the service-connected condition.

However, the VA has proposed changes to that rating system, which are expected to take effect this year.

How Will the Tinnitus VA Rating System Change? 

The 10% standalone tinnitus VA rating will be largely eliminated when the proposed changes take place. Tinnitus will be evaluated when assigning a hearing loss VA rating, and will be assessed under the hearing loss criteria. A veteran would be entitled to the standalone 10% tinnitus rating in only one circumstance: when the veteran received a 0% VA disability rating for hearing loss. 

What Does This Mean for Veterans with Tinnitus? 

The most immediate thing veterans should know is that, at least under the current proposed change, veterans who already have a 10% tinnitus VA disability rating will not be affected. If you are considering pursuing disability benefits for tinnitus, you should act quickly. If you’re able to secure a VA disability rating under the current system, the change won’t apply to you.

For those who pursue benefits later, evaluation for hearing loss will be critical, even if you believe the loss is minor. If your hearing loss is rated 10% or higher, your tinnitus will be rolled in. But, if your hearing loss is rated at 0%, you may still receive the flat 10% rating for tinnitus. 

You will also want to ensure that you fully consider any other possible service-connected or secondary-connected conditions. If you secured a standalone rating for tinnitus prior to the change, you can still file claims for conditions secondary to tinnitus. Even if you are pursuing your disability rating later, other conditions secondary to hearing loss could increase your VA disability rating. 

Act Quickly if You Have a Claim for VA Disability for Tinnitus

If you believe you may have a VA disability claim for tinnitus, you’ll want to speak with an experienced VA disability benefits advocate right away. Your advocate can give you the most recent update about the timeline for the changes and your opportunity to secure a tinnitus VA disability rating before the change takes effect. An experienced advocate can also help ensure that you are including all relevant claims, and that you have the documentation the VA will be looking for. 

To learn more, call Veterans Help Group today at 855-855-8992 or contact us here now.

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