VA Disability Rating for Tinnitus, recurrent (DC 6260)
Tinnitus is that persistent ringing, buzzing, whistling, or humming sound in your ears when there's no actual noise around you. The VA rates recurrent tinnitus at a flat 10% disability rating - there's no higher or lower percentage available, regardless of how severe your symptoms are. This 10% rating acknowledges that tinnitus can be disruptive to your daily life and sleep, but the VA doesn't distinguish between mild and severe cases in their rating system.
Explore Tinnitus Resources
Pick a group to see its pages. Everything here is a link to another page on this site.
Start Here (1 page)
Ratings and C&P Exams (2 pages)
Claimed Secondary to Something Else (1 page)
What Veterans Claim Alongside It (5 pages)
- Hearing Loss Secondary to TinnitusHow the Board has handled this pairing.
- Migraines Secondary to TinnitusHow the Board has handled this pairing.
- Sleep Apnea Secondary to TinnitusHow the Board has handled this pairing.
- VA TBI Claims GuideThe full guide to claiming head-injury residuals.
- VA Vertigo and Dizziness Claims GuideThe full guide to claiming dizziness and balance problems.
Evidence and Proof (4 pages)
- MOS Exposure DirectoryNoise and hazard exposure by military job.
- Buddy StatementsLay statements, and what makes one carry weight.
- Private Medical Records for a VA ClaimGetting your own doctor’s records in front of the rater.
- Secondary Claim GuideHow a condition caused by another rated condition is claimed.
Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.