Body system: EarRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.87DBQ: DBQ ENT Ear (Including Vestibular and Infectious)
Meniere's syndrome is an inner ear disorder that causes hearing loss, dizziness attacks (vertigo), and often ringing in the ears (tinnitus). The VA rates this condition from 30% to 100% based on how often you have vertigo attacks that affect your balance and walking (cerebellar gait), plus whether you have hearing loss. Higher ratings go to veterans who have more frequent, severe episodes that significantly impact their daily functioning and mobility.
Rating levels
- 100% — You must have hearing loss AND experience dizzy spells (vertigo) that make you unsteady when walking (cerebellar gait - walking like you're drunk or can't balance) more than once every week. You may also have ringing in your ears (tinnitus), but that's not required as long as you have the hearing problems and frequent dizzy episodes with balance issues.
- 60% — You have hearing loss along with dizzy spells (vertigo) and balance problems when walking (cerebellar gait) that happen between 1 to 4 times each month. You may or may not also experience ringing in your ears (tinnitus) along with these other symptoms.
- 30% — You have some hearing loss along with dizzy spells (vertigo) that happen less than once a month. You may also have ringing in your ears (tinnitus), but that's not required - the key is having both the hearing problems and occasional dizziness from your Meniere's syndrome.