Claiming Tinnitus?
Create a free account to organize your evidence and download your conditions summary.
VA Rating Tiers
10%
recurrent tinnitus
0%
Meets minimum criteria
Rating Notes
- ›10%: Recurrent tinnitus — single 10% evaluation whether perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head. DC 6260.
- ›0%: Tinnitus documented but not recurrent — service connected but non-compensable.
- ›DC 6260 assigns a single 10% evaluation for recurrent tinnitus.
- ›Use one evaluation whether perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head.
Eligibility Basics
✅
Current symptoms
✅
In-service event
✅
Diagnosis or lay evidence
- •Noise exposure history is often important.
- •Lay statements may matter if symptoms began in service and continued after.
Evidence to Gather
Service Records
- •hearing conservation records
- •complaints of ringing
- •MOS or duty with hazardous noise exposure
Medical Evidence
- •audiology records
- •primary care notes mentioning tinnitus
Lay Evidence (Buddy Statements)
- •statement describing onset during service
- •statement describing persistent ringing
Diagnostic Tests
- •hearing test
- •audiology exam
C&P Exam Preparation
Exam type: Audiology
Be ready to describe
- •when symptoms began
- •what the sound is like
- •whether it is constant or intermittent
- •how it affects sleep or concentration
Prep notes
- •Be clear about when the ringing began.
- •Describe hazardous noise exposure honestly.
- •Explain how often symptoms occur and how they affect daily life.
Quick Facts
- Diagnostic Code
- DC 6260
- Category
- Hearing
- Subcategory
- Auditory
- Typical Claim Type
- direct
- Rating Range
- 0% – 10%
Also Known As
ringing in earsear ringingbuzzing in ears
Related Conditions
Commonly leads to
📋
Organize your claim
Add Tinnitus to your claim and answer guided questions to build your evidence package.
Get Started Free