This tool provides estimates for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.
Tinnitus
- Tinnitus is the most frequently claimed VA disability condition.
- The maximum schedular rating is 10%, regardless of severity or whether one or both ears are affected.
- Tinnitus is often claimed alongside hearing loss as both conditions share the same noise exposure cause.
- It can serve as a primary condition for several secondary claims, including depression, migraines, and anxiety.
Based on VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) and related service-connection regulations. This page is a free community resource. We are not VA-accredited and do not file claims or provide legal advice (per 38 U.S.C. § 5904).
Last reviewed: April 2026 · Next review: October 2026
Maintained by: Veterans Benefits Navigator editorial team. Every citation links to a primary federal or state source. See editorial standards and our privacy posture.
Primary sources: 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities), VA.gov disability compensation, 38 CFR § 3.310 (secondary service connection)
Overview
Tinnitus is the perception of ringing, buzzing, hissing, or other sounds in the ears when no external sound is present. It is the most frequently claimed disability among veterans, commonly caused by noise exposure during military service from weapons, aircraft, machinery, or explosions.
Tinnitus is rated under Diagnostic Code 6260 and receives a maximum schedular rating of 10%, regardless of whether it affects one or both ears. This is a fixed rating that does not increase with severity. However, tinnitus can serve as a foundation for secondary condition claims that may result in significant additional compensation.
Common secondary conditions linked to tinnitus include depression, migraines, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. These secondary conditions can each be rated independently and may substantially increase a veteran's combined rating.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Recurrent tinnitus. This is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus, whether the condition is present in one or both ears. The 10% rating applies regardless of severity. |
- 10%
Recurrent tinnitus. This is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus, whether the condition is present in one or both ears. The 10% rating applies regardless of severity.
These criteria describe how a VA Compensation & Pension examiner evaluates the condition during a rating exam. They are not a self-test. For mental health conditions under 38 CFR 4.130, a diagnosis must be made by a qualified clinician under DSM-5. Actual ratings depend on the totality of evidence reviewed by the VA.
Evidence Checklist
Required
Audiogram
A current hearing examination that documents the presence of tinnitus.
Service records showing noise exposure
Military occupational specialty (MOS) records, deployment history, or other documentation of noise exposure during service.
Recommended
Statement about onset
A personal statement describing when tinnitus began, its characteristics, and any connection to military noise exposure.
Helpful
Buddy statements
Statements from fellow service members confirming noise exposure or observing the onset of hearing-related complaints.
Secondary Conditions
These conditions may be claimed as secondary to Tinnitus. A nexus is the medical link between a service-connected condition and a related condition. Nexus strength indicates the level of established medical evidence supporting that connection.
Depression
DC 9434, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Migraines
DC 8100, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%
Anxiety
DC 9400, Typical range: 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 100%
Meniere's Disease
DC 6205, Typical range: 30%, 60%, 100%
Insomnia / Sleep Disturbance
DC 6847, Typical range: 0%, 30%, 50%, 100%
Explore all secondary conditions in the Secondary Condition Mapper tool.
C&P Exam Preparation
What to Expect
- The exam will include pure-tone audiometry testing, where you listen for tones at different frequencies and volumes through headphones.
- Speech recognition testing (typically the Maryland CNC word list) will measure how well you understand spoken words.
- The examiner will ask when you first noticed hearing loss or tinnitus and what noise exposure you had during service.
How to Prepare
- Avoid loud noise exposure for at least 24 hours before the exam, as temporary threshold shifts can affect results.
- Consider making a list of specific situations where hearing loss causes difficulty, such as conversations in noisy environments, phone calls, or group settings.
- If you experience tinnitus, think about how to describe its characteristics: pitch, volume, constancy, and which ear.
View the full C&P exam preparation guide for detailed tips and common mistakes.
Related DBQs
Hearing Loss and Tinnitus
Form 21-0960N-1
Ear Conditions (Other Than Hearing Loss/Tinnitus)
Form 21-0960N-2
Search all DBQ forms in the DBQ Finder tool.
Next Steps
This information is for educational purposes only. We are not accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs and do not file claims, provide legal advice, or represent veterans before the VA (38 U.S.C. § 5904). For official assistance, contact a VSO, CVSO, or VA-accredited attorney.