Tinnitus - the persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears - is consistently one of the most commonly claimed VA disabilities in the United States, affecting millions of veterans according to the VA’s annual benefits reports. Despite its prevalence, many veterans are unaware that they qualify or that tinnitus can serve as an important anchor in a broader hearing-related claim.
What Is Tinnitus?
Tinnitus is the perception of sound when no external sound source is present. It manifests as ringing, buzzing, clicking, hissing, or roaring in one or both ears. The condition can be intermittent or constant, and its severity ranges from mildly distracting to completely debilitating. Military service is one of the leading causes of tinnitus, as repeated exposure to gunfire, explosions, aircraft engines, and heavy machinery damages the delicate hair cells of the inner ear.
Why Tinnitus Is Always Rated at 10%
The VA rates tinnitus under 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6260. Under this code, tinnitus is assigned a single rating of 10% - regardless of whether the condition affects one ear or both, and regardless of severity. There is no higher schedular rating available for tinnitus alone.
This is a statutory limitation, not a judgment about how disabling your tinnitus is. A veteran whose tinnitus causes near-constant disruption to sleep and concentration receives the same 10% rating as one with mild intermittent ringing.
The 10% rating translates to meaningful monthly compensation and, more importantly, establishes service connection that can support secondary and related claims.
How to Establish Service Connection
To service-connect tinnitus, you must demonstrate three things: a current diagnosis of tinnitus, an in-service event or exposure that could have caused it, and a nexus linking the two. For most veterans, the in-service event is documented noise exposure - firearms qualification, proximity to aircraft, use of heavy equipment, or direct combat.
A C&P audiological examination will typically be ordered by the VA. The examiner will review your hearing history, current symptoms, and any audiological testing. Be specific and honest about the nature, frequency, and duration of your tinnitus symptoms during this exam.
Researching Your Tinnitus Claim?
Use our free calculator and guides to understand how tinnitus and related hearing conditions are rated and how they combine into your overall rating.
Explore the Free ToolsThe Role of Audiological Exams
Audiological exams assess both tinnitus and any associated hearing loss. These are rated separately - hearing loss is rated under Diagnostic Code 6100 using a conversion table based on speech recognition scores and pure tone average thresholds. Veterans often qualify for both a tinnitus rating and a separate hearing loss rating, which combine under the standard VA combined ratings formula.
Pyramiding Rules with Hearing Loss
VA regulations prohibit “pyramiding” - receiving separate ratings for the same symptom under different diagnostic codes. However, tinnitus and hearing loss are distinct conditions under separate diagnostic codes (6260 and 6100, respectively), so rating both is explicitly permitted and does not constitute pyramiding. Filing for both conditions simultaneously is standard practice and maximizes your combined rating.
If you already have a hearing loss rating but haven’t filed for tinnitus, a supplemental claim is straightforward and well-supported by the existing nexus of noise exposure.
E. Fimzer
Founder & Editor, Know Your VA Rating
E. Fimzer researches VA regulations and writes plain-language veterans-benefits guides grounded in 38 CFR, the M21-1 adjudication manual, and official VA.gov sources.