VA Disability Rating Guide
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears) — VA disability rating
38 CFR 4.87 Diagnostic Code 6260
Most-claimed VA disability condition (~3 million veterans). Capped at 10% rating regardless of severity.
Rating tiers
0%
Recurrent tinnitus that is documented but not constant or severe enough to be claimed at 10%. Rare — most claims either get 10% or denied.
$ pay rate at 0% →
10%
Recurrent tinnitus (constant or near-constant ringing/buzzing/hissing in one or both ears). 10% is the MAXIMUM scheduler rating regardless of severity. Bilateral tinnitus is still 10%, not 20%.
$ pay rate at 10% →
Evidence checklist
- In-service noise exposure documentation: MOS in artillery, infantry, aviation, motor pool, or other high-noise specialty
- Audiogram (hearing test) showing tinnitus diagnosis
- Lay statement: describe when the tinnitus started, what triggered it (specific incidents like firing range, IED, etc.)
- MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) is often sufficient evidence — VA uses a "duty MOS noise probability" matrix to grant tinnitus presumptively for high-noise MOSs
Common filing mistakes
- Not filing a tinnitus claim because "it's only 10%" — tinnitus is the easiest VA disability to win and contributes to your combined rating
- Failing to file BOTH tinnitus AND hearing loss as separate claims (they get separate ratings)
- Not claiming secondary conditions: tinnitus often causes/worsens insomnia, depression, anxiety — file those too
How to file
File VA Form 21-526EZ with the diagnosis evidence above. A free CVSO will assemble your claim and file it on your behalf at no cost.
In crisis? Call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line — 24/7 confidential, federally-operated. Vet Centers offer free counseling for combat veterans and MST survivors.
Related conditions
Other VA rating guides
About this guide
VA disability rating criteria are defined in 38 CFR Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). Criteria are subject to revision; always verify current rules at va.gov/disability/ before filing. This page is informational and is not a substitute for personalized advice from a CVSO, VSO representative, or VA-accredited attorney. Free claim help available from CVSOs and VSOs.