Sleep Apnea Secondary to Tinnitus

Many veterans, especially those who served in combat, suffer from tinnitus, which is often caused by trauma from loud noises and explosions. Tinnitus often results in sleep disturbances, such as sleep apnea.

Veterans deserve all the VA compensation they are qualified to receive. However, some are unaware of ways to increase their benefits, such as through a secondary rating, which is available when one disability is linked to another. If you have developed sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus, you may be eligible to receive a significant bump in your overall VA disability rating.

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Message

TCPA

By checking this box and clicking “Get A Free Case Evaluation”, I am providing my electronic signature expressly consenting to receive marketing phone calls, emails, and SMS text messages from National Advocates for Veterans Disability Assistance, LLC (“NAVDA”), or parties acting on its behalf, related to the products or services that I am inquiring about on the landline and/or mobile phone number that I provided, regardless of whether it is on any Do Not Call registry. I confirm that the phone number set forth above is accurate and that I am the regular user of the phone number. I understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system and may contain pre-recorded and/or artificial voice messages. I understand that consent is not required as a condition for purchasing or obtaining any products or services. For SMS messages campaigns, text “STOP” to stop and “HELP” for help. Msg & data rates may apply.

Need Help?

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Message

TCPA

By checking this box and clicking “Get A Free Case Evaluation”, I am providing my electronic signature expressly consenting to receive marketing phone calls and SMS text messages from National Advocates for Veterans Disability Assistance, LLC (“NAVDA”), or parties acting on its behalf, related to the products or services that I am inquiring about on the landline and/or mobile phone number that I provided, regardless of whether it is on any Do Not Call registry. I confirm that the phone number set forth above is accurate and that I am the regular user of the phone number. I understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system and may contain pre-recorded and/or artificial voice messages. I understand that consent is not required as a condition for purchasing or obtaining any products or services. For SMS messages campaigns, text “STOP” to stop and “HELP” for help. Msg & data rates may apply.

Key Takeaways

Veterans suffering from tinnitus may develop sleep apnea as a secondary condition, which could qualify them for an increased VA disability rating and higher compensation.
The VA recognizes the link between tinnitus and sleep apnea, allowing veterans to file for a secondary rating that can significantly enhance their overall disability benefits.
To receive a secondary rating for sleep apnea linked to tinnitus, veterans must provide medical evidence and service-related documentation to the VA.

When you have two or more disability ratings, such as for sleep apnea and tinnitus, the VA uses a combined ratings table. An increased rating means more monthly compensation and the possibility of qualifying for VA benefits you couldn’t access with either individual rating.

What Is Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus?

Veterans with tinnitus hear ringing or other noises in one or both ears. This sound is internal, and others can’t hear it. Tinnitus is often attributed to hearing loss, age, circulatory system problems, and ear injuries. However, tinnitus often results from loud sounds, and veterans are sometimes exposed to near-constant gunfire and noise from equipment and aircraft. They may experience blast injuries that cause tinnitus. Some veterans suffer from traumatic brain injuries or environmental exposure that affects their hearing.

The VA recognizes tinnitus as a disabling condition and assigns it a disability rating. It also recognizes that the condition may lead to others.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which people repeatedly stop and start breathing. The most common form is obstructive sleep apnea, in which relaxed throat muscles block airflow. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and are tired even after a full night’s sleep.

The VA also assigns disability ratings for sleep apnea, acknowledging the condition can be related to service through sleep pattern disruptions, frequent travel, chronic sleep deprivation, and exposure to combat and trauma.

Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus

A recent study has shown a connection between tinnitus and lost sleep, sleep disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. There are several theories as to why tinnitus and sleep apnea often coexist. A primary theory is that oxygen lost during an apnea episode damages ear cells. Another theory is that loud snoring associated with sleep apnea triggers tinnitus.

Veterans who experience tinnitus and sleep apnea may have a lower quality of life, and their ability to work may suffer. When those conditions are service-related, veterans deserve compensation for the combined effects of their disabilities.

How Are Tinnitus and Sleep Apnea VA Ratings Combined?

When veterans have more than one disability rating, the VA combines them. The new overall rating dictates how much monthly compensation veterans receive and, sometimes, which benefits they can recover.

The VA rates tinnitus at 10 percent, while its sleep apnea ratings range from 0 to 100 percent.

Possible ratings for sleep apnea include the following:

0% – This rating means you have a sleep disorder but not sleep apnea symptoms. With a 0 percent rating, you cannot combine your tinnitus and sleep apnea.
30% – This level indicates that you suffer from hypersomnolence—an inability to stay awake and alert during the day due to sleep apnea.
50% – This rating is assigned when you need a CPAP machine or other breathing assistance device.
100%—This is a full disability rating reserved for rare cases. It indicates that your sleep apnea results in chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention, an enlarged right ventricle in your heart, or the need for a tracheostomy to breathe.

Combined Ratings Example

Instead of simply adding your ratings together, the VA uses a table of combined ratings to determine a combined total for the primary and secondary conditions. The most common ratings for sleep apnea are 30 and 50 percent. You can use our disability calculator to help determine your final rating.

Here are a couple of examples of combined ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea:

10 %
Tinnitus

and

30 %
Sleep Apnea

equals a 37% rating, which the VA rounds up to 40%

10 %
Tinnitus

and

50 %
Sleep Apnea

equals a 55% rating

How a VA Rating for Sleep Apnea Secondary to Tinnitus Can Affect Your Benefits

If your combined rating is 50 percent or higher, you may qualify for Priority Group 1 VA health care. Members of this group have no copays for any type of medication, testing, or care. Your combined rating also increases your monthly compensation.

In 2024, a 10 percent tinnitus rating results in $171.23 in monthly VA compensation. You do not receive additional compensation for dependents with a 10 percent rating. However, with a combined rating of 40 percent due to a secondary 30 percent sleep apnea rating, monthly compensation jumps to $755.28 per month. You also qualify for additional compensation depending on the number of dependent spouses, children, and parents you have.

How To Prove to the VA Your Sleep Apnea Is Caused or Aggravated by Tinnitus

To receive a secondary rating for sleep apnea, you must show that your tinnitus caused or aggravated it. You also must show that both conditions are service-related. Evidence you need includes:

Medical records showing tinnitus and sleep apnea
Evidence of CPAP or other breathing device use where applicable
A sleep study for your apnea
A written statement of how your apnea affects your daytime drowsiness and ability to work
A nexus letter from your doctor that explains the connection between your service and your condition
A Compensation and Pension exam, or C&P exam, with an accompanying doctor statement about your conditions
Friend, family, or buddy statements explaining how your sleep apnea has affected your sleep and your life

To file for a secondary condition, complete VA Form 21-526EZ. If you need help, call 800-827-1000 to find your nearest VA regional office. You also can ask for help from an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Officer or an experienced VA disability attorney.

Want to Increase Your VA Rating?

How To Increase Your VA Rating With a Secondary Claim for Sleep Apnea

Veterans Guide can assist if you need information about VA ratings and how to increase them. We know what to provide the VA to give you the best chance at approval.

If you need help with secondary conditions or another VA disability matter, call us at 888-982-1009 or complete our contact form.

Last Date Modified

August 12, 2024

Matt is a VA-accredited attorney who co-founded NAVDA in 2023. Matt has helped veterans with the VA disability appeals process since he became accredited in 2021.

On This Page

What Is Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus?
Relationship Between Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus
How Are Tinnitus and Sleep Apnea VA Ratings Combined?
How To Prove to the VA Your Sleep Apnea Is Caused or Aggravated by Tinnitus
How To Increase Your VA Rating With a Secondary Claim for Sleep Apnea

Need Help?

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Message

TCPA

Need Help?

First Name

Last Name

Phone

Message

TCPA