Body system: EarRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.87
This diagnostic code covers the loss or deformity of the auricle (the visible outer part of your ear). The VA rates this condition based on how much of the ear is missing or damaged. Complete loss of both ears gets you 50%, complete loss of one ear gets 30%, and significant deformity of one ear (missing a third or more) gets 10%.
Rating levels
- 50% — You qualify for this rating if you have completely lost both outer ears. The auricle is the visible part of your ear that sticks out from your head - the cartilage and skin structure that you can see and touch. Both ears must be entirely gone, not just damaged or partially missing.
- 30% — You qualify for this rating if you have completely lost your entire outer ear on one side. The auricle (the visible part of your ear that sticks out from your head) must be totally gone, not just partially damaged or deformed.
- 10% — You qualify for this rating if one of your outer ears (auricle) is visibly deformed and you've lost at least one-third of the ear's physical structure. This could be from injury, surgery, or other causes that removed or damaged a significant portion of the outer ear itself.