Claiming Peripheral Vestibular Disorder?
Create a free account to organize your evidence and download your conditions summary.
VA Rating Tiers
30%
constant dizziness or staggering
10%
occasional dizziness
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›30%: Moderate vestibular disorder — frequent episodes of vertigo lasting minutes to hours with significant functional limitation. DC 6204.
- ›10%: Mild vestibular disorder — occasional dizziness or imbalance with activity limitation. DC 6204.
- ›0%: Documented but below compensable threshold — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 6204: Peripheral vestibular disorder.
- ›30%: Constant dizziness or occasional staggering.
- ›10%: Occasional dizziness.
- ›Hearing impairment (if present) is rated separately under DC 6100.
- ›If symptoms include episodic hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus together, consider Meniere's Syndrome (DC 6205).
- ›Vestibular function testing (VNG/ENG) provides objective documentation of inner ear dysfunction.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •DC 6204 — peripheral vestibular disorder; rated based on severity of dizziness and balance impairment.
- •Noise-induced inner ear damage, blast injury, and head trauma are common service connection pathways.
- •Evaluate any associated hearing impairment separately under DC 6100.
- •If dizziness is accompanied by episodic hearing loss and tinnitus, consider Meniere's Syndrome (DC 6205) instead.
- •Document dizziness frequency, severity, and whether gait (walking balance) is affected.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •records of head trauma, blast injury, or ear barotrauma during service
- •sick call records documenting dizziness, vertigo, or balance problems during service
- •records of in-service ear infections or pressure-related ear injury
Medical Evidence
- •ENT or neurotology records documenting vestibular dysfunction
- •vestibular function tests (VNG/ENG, rotary chair, VEMP)
- •audiogram if hearing loss is also present
- •physical therapy records for vestibular rehabilitation
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •personal statement describing dizziness or balance problems that began during or after service
- •statement from family or coworker noting balance problems or dizziness episodes
- •buddy statement confirming blast exposure or head trauma during service
Diagnostic Tests
- •videonystagmography (VNG) or electronystagmography (ENG)
- •rotary chair testing
- •vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP)
- •audiogram
- •Dix-Hallpike maneuver (for BPPV)
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: ENT / Audiology / Neurotology — Vestibular
Be ready to describe
- •how often dizziness or vertigo occurs and how long episodes last
- •whether dizziness affects walking or balance (staggering)
- •nausea or vomiting with dizzy episodes
- •in-service cause — blast, trauma, barotrauma, ear infection
- •treatments tried (Epley maneuver, vestibular rehab, medications)
Prep notes
- •Bring vestibular function test results (VNG/ENG) if available.
- •Describe worst-day dizziness — do not only report good days.
- •Mention whether dizziness causes you to hold on to things or avoid activities.
- •File a separate Hearing Loss claim (DC 6100) if you have measurable hearing loss.
- •If symptoms include episodic hearing loss + tinnitus + vertigo together, consider also filing Meniere's Syndrome (DC 6205).
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 6204
- Category
- Hearing
- Subcategory
- Ear
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 30%
Also Known As
peripheral vestibular disordervestibular disorderlabyrinthitisbenign paroxysmal positional vertigoBPPVvestibular neuritisvestibular dysfunctioninner ear balance disorderdizziness balance disorderchronic dizziness earlabyrinthine disorder
Related Conditions
Commonly leads to
📋
Organize your claim
Add Peripheral Vestibular Disorder to your claim and answer guided questions to build your evidence package.
Get Started Free