Tinnitus may coexist with other diagnosed conditions, but coexistence alone does not establish secondary service connection. VA reviews evidence of the other condition and the asserted medical relationship before deciding each issue.
When Another Condition May Be Secondary
A claimant may assert that another diagnosed condition was caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus. Examples sometimes raised include:
- Migraines: The record must support the diagnosis and the claimed causal or aggravating relationship.
- Anxiety or depression: Symptoms, diagnosis, and the asserted relationship require condition-specific evidence.
- Somatic symptom disorder: A qualified clinician determines whether the diagnosis and any relationship are medically supported.
Tinnitus can coexist with other conditions, but a secondary condition needs its own medical evidence and a supported connection to a service-connected disability. VA evaluates service connection and the rating for each condition under the applicable criteria.
Review Possible Secondary-Condition Evidence
If you have tinnitus and other symptoms, organize your records and discuss the medical relationship with a qualified clinician. Evidence review does not guarantee that VA will grant or separately rate another condition.