Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about Insomnia and Tinnitus in Veterans' Disability.
Leah provides an overview of how insomnia and tinnitus are considered in the context of VA disability. She explains that insomnia, defined by the DSM-5, is a mental health condition rated according to the schedule of mental health ratings, with specific diagnostic criteria including dissatisfaction with sleep quality and issues like difficulty in falling or staying asleep. Leah emphasizes the possibility of insomnia being service-connected directly if diagnosed during service or secondarily due to other conditions like tinnitus. She cites several studies highlighting the link between tinnitus and mental health issues in veterans. Finally, Leah briefly discusses the VA's rating system for mental health disorders, which ranges from 0% for mild symptoms to 100% for total occupational and social impairment. She advises veterans to consult legal professionals for claim filing and strategy and suggests discussing these issues with healthcare providers for potential support in claims.