🎖️ VALOR

Are You Missing Out on TDIU Benefits? Here’s What You Need to Know

This video dives into what “marginal employment” means for veterans seeking Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits. From earning below the poverty threshold to proving a sheltered or protected work environment, our attorneys uncover the gray areas veterans face when navigating these claims.

Learn how the VA’s inconsistent rulings and annual reviews could put your benefits at risk—even if you've already proven eligibility. Don’t miss this must-watch guide to protecting your TDIU benefits.

⚖️ EXPERTS

Ringing in the New Year: Understanding Tinnitus and Secondary VA Disability Claims

For many veterans, tinnitus—the persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears—is more than just an annoyance. It’s one of the most commonly reported service-connected conditions, with over 2.9 million veterans receiving benefits for it. Yet, tinnitus is capped at a 10% VA disability rating, leaving many wondering how to achieve a higher overall rating. The key lies in identifying and connecting secondary conditions to tinnitus.

Let’s explore tinnitus, its secondary conditions, and how veterans can maximize their benefits to start the new year on the right note.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often linked to noise exposure during military service, such as gunfire, machinery, or explosions. While it’s rated at 10% regardless of severity or whether it affects one or both ears, tinnitus is rarely an isolated condition. Many veterans experience additional health issues that can be service-connected as secondary conditions.

Secondary Conditions Linked to Tinnitus

Since tinnitus alone cannot receive more than a 10% rating, it’s crucial to consider how it affects other aspects of a veteran’s health. Here are some common secondary conditions:

• Hearing Loss: Often associated with tinnitus, hearing loss can significantly impact daily life and qualify for an additional rating. Read more→

• Mental Health Conditions: Tinnitus frequently contributes to anxiety, depression, and even PTSD due to its persistent and intrusive nature. Read more→

• Insomnia: Sleep disorders are commonly linked to tinnitus, as the ringing in the ears can make restful sleep difficult or impossible. Read more→

• Vertigo and Balance Disorders: Conditions like Meniere’s disease often include both tinnitus and vertigo, creating additional challenges. Read more→

• Migraines: Tinnitus has been known to trigger or worsen migraine headaches. Read more→

• Hypertension: High blood pressure, particularly in Vietnam-era veterans, is associated with pulsatile tinnitus, a condition where the ringing follows the heartbeat. Read more→

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): The stress and mental health effects of tinnitus can lead to ED, which may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC). Read More→

If you’re dealing with tinnitus and related conditions, don’t stop at the 10% rating. Consider the secondary conditions that may also be affecting your life. With comprehensive medical evidence and support, you can secure the benefits you deserve.

Hill & Ponton is here to help. If you need assistance appealing a denied claim, reach out to us for a free evaluation. Start your new year with the confidence that your service-connected conditions are fully recognized and compensated.

How to File a Claim for Secondary Conditions

Filing a claim for secondary conditions requires veterans to establish a clear link between tinnitus and the secondary condition. Here’s how to do it:

1. Medical Nexus: Obtain a medical opinion (nexus letter) from a qualified provider explaining how tinnitus caused or aggravated the secondary condition.

2. Diagnosis and Documentation: Provide records of both the tinnitus diagnosis and the secondary condition.

3. Personal Statements: Submit detailed statements about how tinnitus affects your daily life and contributes to other health issues.

4. Scientific Evidence: Reference research or studies supporting the connection between tinnitus and the secondary condition.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: There is no Live Stream this week!

Our staff is out of the office on Wednesday due to the New Year, so there will be no live stream this week. Please check with us next week.

In the meantime, if you haven’t visited our YouTube channel, consider checking out our extensive library of videos and prior live stream recordings. Our team works very hard to make veterans and their families the best content we can and we might have the answer to your question. Click below to visit our page.

Were You Exposed to “Forever Chemicals” in Your Water Supply?

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are synthetic substances widely used in firefighting foams, water-resistant products, and industrial applications. These chemicals have been found in dangerously high concentrations in some water supplies, including on or near military bases. Learn if your military base was impacted using our Toxic Exposure Map.

Exposure to PFAS has been linked to severe health conditions, such as:

• Testicular Cancer

• Kidney Cancer

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Liver Cancer

If you or a loved one lived or worked in areas with PFAS contamination and have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may qualify for compensation.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

How a Veteran Secured TDIU for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Despite Challenges

Note: All identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. This case is based on examples from the BVA database.

A veteran who served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1957 to 1989 faced significant obstacles in securing Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) benefits due to his severe bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. Initially denied by the VA Regional Office in 2013, the veteran fought tirelessly, presenting strong evidence of how these service-connected conditions made it impossible for him to sustain gainful employment.

Key Elements That Made the Case Successful

• Workplace Challenges Documented: Statements from coworkers and supervisors detailed how the veteran’s hearing loss prevented him from effectively communicating in meetings, using the phone, or understanding conversations, even with hearing aids. This lack of accommodation led to early retirement.

• Expert Medical Opinions: Audiologists and private medical evaluations confirmed the veteran’s severe hearing impairment and its impact on his ability to work. Despite accommodations, his hearing loss was so profound that even assistive devices were insufficient.

• Credible Personal Testimony: The veteran shared compelling examples of how his conditions limited his professional and daily life. He emphasized the frustration and isolation caused by his inability to communicate effectively in social and work environments.

• Persistence Through Denials: Despite setbacks, the veteran continued to appeal, submitting new evidence and securing a favorable decision from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, which acknowledged that his conditions precluded substantially gainful employment.

What This Means for Other Veterans

This case illustrates that even when initial claims are denied, persistence and well-documented evidence can turn the tide. Veterans pursuing TDIU benefits should:

• Provide Detailed Workplace Evidence: Gather statements from coworkers or supervisors highlighting specific challenges caused by service-connected conditions.

• Secure Medical Opinions: Work with specialists to connect your condition to your inability to work.

• Tell Your Story: Personal testimony that captures the daily impact of your condition can make a significant difference.

If you believe your service-connected disabilities prevent you from working, let us help you build a compelling case. Contact us today for a free evaluation at (855) 494-1298.