C&P Exam for Tinnitus, recurrent (DC 6260)

Diagnostic code: 6260Condition: Tinnitus, recurrentRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.87DBQ: DBQ AUDIO Hearing Loss and Tinnitus; DBQ ENT Ear Conditions Including Vestibular and Infectious

Which form the examiner uses

For tinnitus, recurrent (DC 6260), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What the examiner records

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

DBQ AUDIO Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

This DBQ evaluates ear conditions including vestibular and infectious conditions such as Meniere's syndrome, peripheral vestibular disorders, BPPV, otitis media, cholesteatoma, and related neoplasms, documenting symptoms, physical exam findings, surgical history, diagnostic test results, and functional impact.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
  • 1A. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this questionnaire:
  • 1B. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis associated with any claimed condition(s) listed above.
  • Meniere's syndrome or endolymphatic hydrops ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Peripheral vestibular disorder ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Chronic otitis externa ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Chronic suppurative otitis media ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media (serous otitis media) ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Mastoiditis ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Cholesteatoma ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Otosclerosis ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Benign neoplasm of the ear (other than skin only) ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Malignant neoplasm of the ear (other than skin only) ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other, diagnosis #1: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other, diagnosis #2: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • Other, diagnosis #3: ICD Code: Date of diagnosis:
  • 1C. If there are additional diagnoses that pertain to ear or peripheral vestibular conditions, list using above format
MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
  • 2A. Describe the history (including onset, course, and treatment) of the Veteran's ear or peripheral vestibular conditions (brief summary):
  • 2B. Does the Veteran's treatment plan include taking continuous medication for the diagnosed condition?
  • If yes, list only those medications used for the diagnosed condition:
VESTIBULAR CONDITIONS (Section III)
  • 3A. Does the Veteran have any of the following findings, signs, or symptoms attributable to Meniere's Syndrome (Endolymphatic Hydrops), a peripheral vestibular condition or another diagnosed condition from Section I?
  • Hearing impairment with vertigo — If checked, indicate frequency: Less than once a month / 1 to 4 times per month / More than once weekly
  • Hearing impairment with vertigo — Indicate duration of episodes: < 1 hour / 1 to 24 hours / > 24 hours
  • Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait — If checked, indicate frequency: Less than once a month / 1 to 4 times per month / More than once weekly
  • Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait — Indicate duration of episodes: < 1 hour / 1 to 24 hours / > 24 hours
  • Tinnitus, unilateral or bilateral — If checked, indicate frequency: Less than once a month / 1 to 4 times per month / More than once weekly
  • Tinnitus, unilateral or bilateral — Indicate duration of episodes: < 1 hour / 1 to 24 hours / > 24 hours
  • Vertigo — If checked, indicate frequency: Less than once a month / 1 to 4 times per month / More than once weekly
  • Vertigo — Indicate duration of episodes: < 1 hour / 1 to 24 hours / > 24 hours
  • Staggering — If checked, indicate frequency: Less than once a month / 1 to 4 times per month / More than once weekly
  • Staggering — Indicate duration of episodes: < 1 hour / 1 to 24 hours / > 24 hours
  • Hearing impairment and/or tinnitus
  • Other, describe:
INFECTIOUS, INFLAMMATORY AND OTHER EAR CONDITIONS (Section IV)
  • 4A. Does the Veteran have any of the following findings, signs or symptoms attributable to chronic ear infection, inflammation, cholesteatoma or any of the diagnoses listed in Section I?
  • Swelling (external ear canal) — If checked, describe:
  • Dry and scaly (external ear canal)
  • Serous discharge (external ear canal)
  • Itching (external ear canal)
  • Effusion
  • Active suppuration
  • Aural polyps
  • Hearing impairment and/or tinnitus
  • Facial nerve paralysis
  • Bone loss of skull — If checked, indicate severity: Area lost smaller than an American quarter (4.619 cm2) / Area lost larger than an American quarter but smaller than a 50-cent piece / Area lost larger than an American 50-cent piece (7.355 cm2)
  • Requiring frequent and prolonged treatment — If checked, describe type and durations of treatment:
  • Other, describe:
  • 4B. Does the Veteran have a benign neoplasm of the ear (other than skin only, such as keloid) that causes any impairment of function?
  • If yes, describe impairment of function caused by this condition:
SURGICAL TREATMENT (Section V)
  • 5A. Has the Veteran had surgical treatment for any ear condition?
  • Type of surgery:
  • Date of surgery:
  • Side affected: Right / Left / Both
  • 5B. Does the Veteran have any residuals as a result of the surgery?
  • If yes, describe:
PHYSICAL EXAM (Section VI)
  • 6A. External ear: Exam of external ear not indicated / Normal / Deformity of auricle, with loss of less than one-third of the substance (specify side: Right / Left) / Deformity of auricle, with loss of one-third or more of the substance (specify side: Right / Left) / Complete loss of auricle (specify side: Right / Left) / Other abnormality, describe:
  • 6B. Ear canal: Exam of ear canal not indicated / Normal / Abnormal, describe:
  • 6C. Tympanic membrane: Exam of tympanic membrane not indicated / Normal / Perforated tympanic membrane (specify side affected: Right / Left) / Evidence of a healed tympanic membrane perforation (specify side affected: Right / Left) / Other abnormality, describe:
  • 6D. Gait: Exam of gait not indicated / Normal / Unsteady, describe: / Other abnormality, describe:
  • 6E. Romberg Test: Exam using this test not indicated / Normal or negative / Abnormal or positive for unsteadiness
  • 6F. Dix Hallpike test (Nylen-Barany test) for vertigo: Exam using this test not indicated / Normal, no vertigo or nystagmus during test / Abnormal, vertigo or nystagmus during test, describe:
  • 6G. Limb coordination test (finger-nose-finger): Exam using this test not indicated / Normal / Abnormal, describe:
TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VII)
  • 7A. Does the Veteran have a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section?
  • 7B. Is the neoplasm: Benign / Malignant — Active / In remission — Primary / Secondary (metastatic) (if secondary, indicate the primary site, if known):
  • 7C. Has the Veteran completed treatment or is the Veteran currently undergoing treatment for a benign or malignant neoplasm or metastases?
  • Treatment completed; currently in watchful waiting status
  • Surgery — If checked, describe: / Date(s) of surgery:
  • Radiation therapy — Date of most recent treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Antineoplastic chemotherapy — Date of most recent treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • Other therapeutic procedure — If checked, describe procedure: / Date of most recent procedure:
  • Other therapeutic treatment — If checked, describe treatment: / Date of completion of treatment or anticipated date of completion:
  • 7D. Does the Veteran currently have any residual conditions or complications due to the neoplasm (including metastases) or its treatment, other than those already documented in the report above? — If yes, list residual conditions and complications (brief summary):
  • 7E. If there are additional benign or malignant neoplasms or metastases related to any of the diagnoses in the diagnosis section, describe using the above format:
OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section VIII)
  • 8A. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to the conditions listed in the diagnosis section above? — If yes, describe (brief summary):
  • 8B. Does the Veteran have any scars or other disfigurement (of the skin) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the diagnosis section?
  • 8C. Comments, if any:
DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX)
  • 9A. Have diagnostic imaging studies or other diagnostic procedures been performed?
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — Date: / Results:
  • Computerized axial tomography (CT) — Date: / Results:
  • Electronystagmography (ENG) — Date: / Results:
  • Other, specify: — Date: / Results:
  • 9B. Has the Veteran had an audiogram? — If yes, attach or provide results:
  • 9C. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results? — If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):
FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section X)
  • 10A. Do any of the Veteran's ear or peripheral vestibular conditions impact his or her ability to work?
  • If yes, describe impact of each of the Veteran's ear or peripheral vestibular conditions, providing one or more examples:
REMARKS (Section XI)
  • 11A. Remarks (if any)

DBQ ENT Ear Conditions Including Vestibular and Infectious

This DBQ evaluates ear conditions including vestibular conditions (Meniere's, peripheral vestibular disorders), infectious/inflammatory ear conditions, and surgical treatments. Hearing loss and tinnitus are evaluated on a separate examiner-only Audio DBQ.

How DC 6260 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-II and VIII-XI of this form. Sections III-VII cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)
    MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)
      VESTIBULAR CONDITIONS (Section III)
        INFECTIOUS, INFLAMMATORY AND OTHER EAR CONDITIONS (Section IV)
          SURGICAL TREATMENT (Section V)
            PHYSICAL EXAM (Section VI)
              TUMORS AND NEOPLASMS (Section VII)
                OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, AND SCARS (Section VIII)
                  DIAGNOSTIC TESTING (Section IX)
                    FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section X)
                      REMARKS (Section XI)

                        Rating Levels for DC 6260

                        The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

                        Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

                        Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 6260

                        The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

                        • Private medical opinion: appeared in 143 granted decisions (24 denied, 62 remanded; 229 total)
                        • VA examination: appeared in 130 granted decisions (151 denied, 300 remanded; 581 total)
                        • Medical literature: appeared in 95 granted decisions (23 denied, 46 remanded; 164 total)
                        • Nexus letter: appeared in 71 granted decisions (12 denied, 22 remanded; 105 total)
                        • Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 44 granted decisions (15 denied, 64 remanded; 123 total)
                        • Service treatment records: appeared in 11 granted decisions (47 denied, 67 remanded; 125 total)

                        What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 6260

                        The themes below were extracted by clustering 500 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

                        1. 24% Benefit of the doubt doctrine standard cited
                          The Board cited the legal standard requiring VA to resolve approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in the claimant's favor under 38 U.S.C. § 5107(b) or 38 C.F.R. § 3.102.
                          119 of 500 sample sentences
                        2. 21% Evidence found in equipoise, service connection granted
                          The Board found the evidence at least in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's tinnitus or hearing loss was related to active service, and resolved reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor to grant service connection.
                          107 of 500 sample sentences
                        3. 20% VA or private examiner nexus opinion cited as at least as likely as not
                          A VA or private medical examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus or hearing loss was at least as likely as not caused by or related to in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma.
                          98 of 500 sample sentences
                        4. 8% Preponderance against claim, benefit of doubt inapplicable
                          The Board found the preponderance of evidence persuasively weighed against the claim, rendering the benefit of the doubt doctrine inapplicable and resulting in denial.
                          38 of 500 sample sentences
                        5. 6% Tinnitus noted as symptom associated with hearing loss
                          An examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus was at least as likely as not a symptom associated with a diagnosed hearing loss disability.
                          31 of 500 sample sentences
                        6. 4% Veteran's credible lay statements placed evidence in equipoise
                          The Board found the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements regarding in-service noise exposure and continuity of tinnitus symptoms sufficient to place the evidence at least in equipoise.
                          18 of 500 sample sentences
                        7. 3% Negative VA examiner opinion noted in record
                          A VA examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus or hearing loss was not at least as likely as not related to military service or in-service noise exposure.
                          16 of 500 sample sentences
                        8. 2% In-service acoustic trauma or noise exposure established
                          The Board or examiner found that the evidence of record supported a finding that the Veteran sustained in-service acoustic trauma or was exposed to hazardous noise during active duty.
                          12 of 500 sample sentences
                        9. 1% Heightened duty noted due to lost or missing service records
                          The Board acknowledged a heightened duty to consider the benefit of the doubt, assist the claimant, and explain findings when service treatment records were presumed lost or destroyed.
                          7 of 500 sample sentences
                        10. 1% Examiner nexus question posed regarding tinnitus or hearing loss
                          The Board or RO directed a VA or private examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's tinnitus or hearing loss was at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure or acoustic trauma.
                          7 of 500 sample sentences
                        11. 1% Weight of evidence found to support claim outright
                          The Board found the preponderance or weight of competent evidence affirmatively supported a finding that the Veteran's tinnitus or hearing loss was related to active military service, without reliance on benefit of the doubt.
                          4 of 500 sample sentences
                        12. 1% Secondary service connection nexus opinion documented
                          A medical examiner opined that the Veteran's tinnitus or a related condition was at least as likely as not caused by or secondary to an already service-connected disability.
                          3 of 500 sample sentences
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                        Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.