Peripheral vestibular disorders (DC 6204)

Rating levels

• 30% — You qualify for 30% if your peripheral vestibular disorder causes both dizziness AND occasional staggering (loss of balance that makes you stumble or veer off course when walking or standing). The dizziness episodes must be supported by objective findings of vestibular disequilibrium documented on examination (e.g., abnormal Romberg test, abnormal videonystagmography, or other neurotologic findings), subjective complaints alone are not enough to qualify for a compensable rating under this code.
• 10% — You qualify for 10% if your peripheral vestibular disorder causes occasional dizziness (lightheadedness, vertigo, or a sense of unsteadiness) without the staggering required for the 30% tier. Per the Note to DC 6204, the dizziness must be supported by objective findings of vestibular disequilibrium documented on examination (e.g., abnormal Romberg test, abnormal videonystagmography, or other neurotologic findings), subjective complaints alone are not enough to qualify for a compensable rating.
• -1% — Two important rules apply to DC 6204. RULE 1: subjective complaints of dizziness alone are NOT enough to get a compensable rating. The examiner must document objective findings of vestibular disequilibrium (such as an abnormal Romberg test, abnormal videonystagmography (VNG), abnormal head-impulse test, or other neurotologic findings). Without objective findings the rating is 0%. RULE 2: if you also have hearing loss or chronic suppurative (pus-producing) ear disease, those are NOT bundled into the 6204 rating. They are rated SEPARATELY under DC 6100 (Hearing impairment) and DC 6200 (Chronic suppurative otitis media) and the ratings are combined under 38 CFR § 4.25.