Claiming Meniere's Syndrome?
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VA Rating Tiers
100%
vertigo weekly or more
60%
vertigo one to four monthly
30%
vertigo less than monthly
10%
hearing tinnitus only
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›100%: Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once a week. DC 6205.
- ›60%: Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring 1–4 times per month. DC 6205.
- ›30%: Hearing impairment with vertigo occurring less than once per month. DC 6205.
- ›10%: Hearing impairment with characteristic dizziness or occasional vertigo without cerebellar gait. DC 6205.
- ›0%: Documented but below compensable threshold — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 6205: Meniere's syndrome.
- ›100%: Vertigo attacks more than once per week, with cochlear signs.
- ›60%: Vertigo attacks 1–4 times per month, with cochlear signs.
- ›30%: Vertigo attacks less than once per month, with cochlear signs.
- ›10%: Hearing loss and tinnitus without characteristic vertigo attacks.
- ›ALWAYS file separately: Hearing Loss (DC 6100) and Tinnitus (DC 6260) — these are rated independently.
- ›Prostrating attacks are key — document that attacks require lying down and prevent all activity.
- ›If vertigo is present but without hearing loss/tinnitus, consider Peripheral Vestibular Disorder (DC 6204).
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 6205 — Meniere's syndrome; rated based on frequency and severity of prostrating vertigo attacks.
- •Classic triad: episodic vertigo + fluctuating hearing loss + tinnitus — all three must be present for DC 6205.
- •If only dizziness without hearing loss/tinnitus, consider Peripheral Vestibular Disorder (DC 6204) instead.
- •Hearing loss is rated separately under DC 6100; tinnitus separately under DC 6260.
- •Service connection pathways: head/blast trauma, barotrauma, acoustic trauma, or chronic noise-induced cochlear damage.
- •Document vertigo attack frequency, severity (prostrating = requires lying down), and cochlear symptoms.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •records of blast exposure, head trauma, or barotrauma during service
- •sick call records documenting vertigo, dizziness, or hearing problems during service
- •audiology records from service showing hearing fluctuation
Medical Evidence
- •ENT or neurotology records confirming Meniere's disease diagnosis
- •audiogram showing sensorineural hearing loss (especially low-frequency)
- •vestibular function testing (ENG/VNG, rotary chair)
- •electrocochleography (ECoG) if performed
- •records documenting attack frequency and severity
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing the classic triad of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus
- •vertigo attack log documenting frequency and duration
- •statement from family or coworker describing witnessed vertigo attacks
- •buddy statement confirming blast or head trauma during service
Diagnostic Tests
- •audiogram (sensorineural hearing loss, especially low-frequency)
- •electrocochleography (ECoG — elevated SP/AP ratio suggests hydrops)
- •videonystagmography (VNG) or electronystagmography (ENG)
- •rotary chair testing
- •MRI of the internal auditory canals (to rule out acoustic neuroma)
- •glycerol dehydration test
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: ENT / Neurotology / Audiology — Meniere's
Be ready to describe
- •frequency and duration of vertigo attacks
- •whether attacks are prostrating — require lying down, vomiting, unable to function
- •fluctuating hearing — ear that gets worse during attacks and partially recovers
- •tinnitus and ear fullness associated with attacks
- •in-service cause — blast, head trauma, barotrauma, noise
Prep notes
- •Bring audiograms showing any fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss.
- •Keep a vertigo attack log documenting date, duration, and severity — bring to the exam.
- •Describe worst-day attacks — prostrating means you cannot stand or walk during them.
- •File separately for Hearing Loss (DC 6100) and Tinnitus (DC 6260) at the same time.
- •Mention all treatments tried: diet changes, diuretics, steroid injections, or surgery.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 6205
- Category
- Hearing
- Subcategory
- Ear
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 100%
Also Known As
meniere's syndromemeniere's diseasemeniere diseaseendolymphatic hydropsidiopathic endolymphatic hydropsepisodic vertigo hearing loss tinnitusLermoyez syndromecochlear hydropsvestibular hydrops
Related Conditions
Commonly leads to
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