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All rating criteria

How the VA Rates Tinnitus

The plain-English version of the 38 CFR Part 4, DC 6260 criteria a VA rater evaluates Tinnitus against, with the 2026 monthly rate at each level. A reference to what the regulation describes — never a prediction of any rating.

Diagnostic code 6260

The rating levels

Criteria paraphrased from 38 CFR Part 4, DC 6260 for readability. Monthly amounts are the 2026 rate (effective December 1, 2025) for a veteran with no dependents if this were the only rated condition — dependents add more, and multiple conditions combine under the VA’s own math.

10%

$180.42/month

Tinnitus — recurrent tinnitus. This is a flat 10% rating for any documented, recurrent tinnitus. It is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus (bilateral or unilateral).

Examples from this level’s criteria

  • Persistent or recurrent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in one or both ears
  • Documented history of noise exposure in service
  • Impact on sleep, concentration, or communication

The listed symptoms are examples that appear in each level’s criteria — not a checklist that earns a percentage. Raters apply the criteria as a whole.

The evidence that matters most

Audiologist diagnosis + documented in-service noise exposure

C&P exam tips for Tinnitus

  • Tinnitus is rated at a flat 10% — your only job at the C&P exam is to confirm it is recurrent and real.
  • Describe the character: constant vs. intermittent, pitch, which ear(s).
  • Describe functional impact: difficulty sleeping, trouble concentrating, frustration in conversations.
  • Be ready to identify noise exposure sources in service (weapons, aircraft, equipment, combat).

Common mistakes on Tinnitus claims

  • Expecting more than 10% — schedular maximum is 10% regardless of severity.
  • Not documenting noise exposure in the nexus letter.
  • Letting the examiner conflate tinnitus with hearing loss — these are separate conditions with separate diagnostic codes.

Frequently asked questions

What diagnostic code does the VA use for Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is rated under 38 CFR Part 4, DC 6260 — diagnostic code 6260.

What is the highest schedular VA rating for Tinnitus?

10% is the highest level in the rating schedule for Tinnitus. The criteria at that level describe: Tinnitus — recurrent tinnitus. This is a flat 10% rating for any documented, recurrent tinnitus. It is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus (bilateral or unilateral).

How much does a 10% VA rating for Tinnitus pay in 2026?

$180.42 per month, tax-free, for a veteran with no dependents (rates effective December 1, 2025) — more with a spouse, children, or dependent parents. If you have other rated conditions, the VA combines ratings using its own math rather than adding them.

Can Tinnitus be claimed as a secondary condition?

Yes — veterans commonly file Tinnitus secondary to TBI / Traumatic Brain Injury, Hearing Loss under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310. What carries a secondary claim is a medical nexus opinion connecting it to the service-connected condition.

Related tools & guides

Build your Tinnitus claim documentation

Your first claim builds free, on screen — a personal statement mapped to these criteria and a cited draft medical opinion. No card to sign up.

Start your claim — free

Educational information about the rating schedule — not legal or medical advice, never a prediction or promise of any rating, and not affiliated with the VA.