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Anxiety and Tinnitus in Veterans Disability

Picture of Leah Bucholz

Leah Bucholz

Leah Bucholz, PA-C, is a Board-Certified Physician Assistant, U.S. Army combat veteran, and nationally recognized medical expert in veterans’ disability claims. A former VA Compensation & Pension examiner, she founded Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting to provide independent, regulation-based medical opinions (“nexus” letters) grounded in the VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR). Leah’s work is frequently cited in favorable Board of Veterans’ Appeals decisions, and her content draws directly from authoritative sources such as VA.gov, the eCFR, and the Federal Register.
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Anxiety and Tinnitus in Veterans Disability va disability rating for tinnitus

At Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting, our blogs are written and reviewed by licensed medical professionals or military veterans with direct experience in the VA claims process. Our team has served as healthcare providers, combat veterans, and former VA examiners — giving us unique insight into both the medical and regulatory side of benefits. Every article is designed to provide accurate, trustworthy, and practical guidance so that veterans and their families can make informed decisions with confidence.

Veterans often face a myriad of challenges, and among them, anxiety and tinnitus can significantly impact their well-being. Leah talks about the connection between anxiety and tinnitus in veterans disability claims. Many veterans are service-connected for anxiety and various mental health conditions, and understanding the relationship between these conditions and their service is crucial for those in pursuit of VA disability.

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Service Connection for Anxiety

Leah Bucholz sheds light on the process of service connection for anxiety. If a veteran was diagnosed with anxiety or any other mental health disorder during active duty and continues to experience it post-service, there is a basis for service connection. While filing a claim does not guarantee approval, continuity of diagnosis from active duty to post-service can provide support for those seeking service connection.

Secondary Basis for Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders can also be connected to other service-connected disabilities. This opens the door to exploring the relationship between anxiety and tinnitus as potential coexisting conditions affecting veterans.

Literature Supporting the Connection

To bolster the case for demonstrating this relationship, Leah Bucholz references various studies published in reputable journals. One such study, published in the International Tinnitus Journal in 2013, explains the relationship between perceived severity of tinnitus, depression, anxiety, hearing status, age, and gender. The study concludes that due to the strong association between tinnitus, depression, and anxiety, all tinnitus patients should be screened for psychiatric disorders.

Another study from 2016, titled “Tinnitus Epidemiology: Prevalence, Severity, Exposures, and Treatment Patterns in the United States,” associates tinnitus symptoms with anxiety, depression, shorter sleep duration, and increased workdays missed. These findings underscore the interconnected nature of mental health and tinnitus.

A study on psychological comorbidity in patients with chronic tinnitus, comparing it with chronic pain, asthma, or atopic dermatitis patients, reveals a high rate of psychological disorders in tinnitus cases. Predominantly, patients diagnosed with psychological disorders experienced affective and anxiety disorders.

Lastly, a study from the International Journal of Tinnitus explores the impact of sleep disturbances associated with tinnitus. It found that half of the tinnitus patients studied experienced poor sleep quality. The study concludes that reducing the intensity of tinnitus is crucial for improving sleep quality and, consequently, the patient’s overall quality of life.

Implications for Veterans

Understanding the literature and research surrounding anxiety and tinnitus can be vital for veterans seeking disability benefits. The connection between these conditions can be multifaceted, involving factors such as depression, sleep disturbances, and other psychological comorbidities.

Leah Bucholz offers a word of caution, stating that if other factors contribute to a veteran’s mental health disorder, tinnitus may not necessarily be the culprit. Marital discord, bereavement issues, or substance abuse could also be potential causes. Each case is unique, and a thorough examination of the individual’s circumstances is essential.

Rating Mental Health Disorders

The current mental health ratings range from zero to one hundred percent. A veteran’s rating depends on the severity of their mental health disorder, with zero percent indicating a mild presentation that has minimal impact on daily life and one hundred percent representing total occupational and social impairments among other key elements.

Conclusion

Anxiety and tinnitus are significant challenges for many veterans, and understanding the relationship between these conditions may be crucial for those in pursuit of VA disability. By examining the literature, considering secondary connections to other service-connected disabilities, and understanding the rating scale, veterans and their accredited legal advocates can build a compelling case for service connection and receive the benefits they deserve. It’s essential for veterans to be proactive, informed, and seek professional accredited legal advice to navigate the complexities of the disability claims process.

Also read: GERD and IBS in Veterans Disability Q&A

At Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting, a veteran-owned company, we specialize in Independent Medical Opinions (IMOs) known as Nexus letters.

Our purpose is to empower YOU, the veteran, to take charge of your medical evidence and provide you with valuable educational tools and research to guide you on your journey.

Understanding the unique challenges veterans face, our commitment lies in delivering exceptional service and support.

Leveraging an extensive network of licensed independent medical professionals, all well-versed in the medical professional aspects of the VA claims process, we review the necessary medical evidence to incorporate in our reports related to your VA Disability Claim.

Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting is not a law firm, accredited claims agent, or affiliated with the Veterans Administration or Veterans Services Organizations. However, we are happy to discuss your case with your accredited VA legal professional.

Picture of Alan Bucholz, PA-C

Alan Bucholz, PA-C

Board-Certified Physician Assistant | U.S. Army Combat Veteran | Co-founder & CFO, Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting

This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Alan Bucholz, PA-C, a board-certified Physician Assistant and retired U.S. Army combat veteran with experience in emergency medicine and two combat deployments (Iraq & Afghanistan). As Co-founder of Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting, Alan provides evidence-based medical opinions to support veterans’ VA disability claims with accuracy, compliance, and ethics.

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Sarah is a Customer Relations Specialist at Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting who is passionate about creating a smooth, respectful, and Veteran-first experience. She brings a diverse background in financial services, municipal public service, and emergency medical response, giving her a unique blend of professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine compassion.

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wife, Leah Bucholz, a Physician Assistant and Army Combat Veteran.  He has devoted himself to using his
knowledge gained in the military as a medical professional to serve the Veteran community.

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ALAN BUCHOLZ, PA-C:

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Alan enlisted in the US Army as a combat medic, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Influenced by his time as a combat medic, he attended the Interservice Physician Assistant program while on
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Alan’s military and medical background inspired him to form Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting with his
wife, Leah Bucholz, a Physician Assistant and Army Combat Veteran.  He has devoted himself to using his
knowledge gained in the military as a medical professional to serve the Veteran community.

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provide unparalleled service to her fellow Veterans through the Prestige Veteran Medical Consulting team.

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ALAN BUCHOLZ, PA-C:

U.S ARMY VETERAN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Alan enlisted in the US Army as a combat medic, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Influenced by his time as a combat medic, he attended the Interservice Physician Assistant program while on
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LEAH BUCHOLZ, PA-C

U.S ARMY VETERAN, MEDICAL EXPERT & FORMER C & P EXAMINER

Meet Leah, the founder, and leader of our organization. ​​A combat veteran herself, she understands the unique challenges veterans face, making her mission about much more than running a successful business. It’s about the opportunity to provide a legacy of exceptional service for our heroes.​

​“It is essential to remember that there is no greater honor than caring for service members on the battlefield. Continuing to care for Veterans after separation is an opportunity that I have been afforded to extend that care in this new battlefield related to service-incurred disabilities.”

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 “Driven by passion and purpose, I aim to create a sustainable change that empowers veterans and future generations.”

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