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VA Rating for Tinnitus: How It Works

By the VetClaimsGuide Editorial Team · Educational guide · Updated June 2026

Tinnitus is the single most claimed VA disability, and the rating rules are refreshingly simple. Here is exactly how VA rates that ringing in your ears, what evidence you need, and how it connects to hearing loss.

Before you file, appeal, or request an increase: use the free Claim Readiness Checker to identify possible evidence gaps. It is an educational starting point, not claim filing or representation.

How VA rates tinnitus

Tinnitus is rated under Diagnostic Code 6260, and it has a single, flat rating: 10 percent. That is the maximum, and you get the same 10 percent whether the ringing is in one ear or both. There is no 20 or 30 percent for tinnitus alone. Because the criteria are so clear and the condition is so common among veterans exposed to noise, it is also one of the most frequently granted claims.

Who this helps

Veterans who served around gunfire, aircraft, engines, generators, or heavy equipment and now have persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in their ears. Anyone filing for hearing loss who has not also claimed the tinnitus that usually comes with it. Veterans who were denied because the connection to service was not clearly explained.

The evidence VA looks for

Tinnitus is subjective, meaning there is no machine that measures it the way an audiogram measures hearing loss. That makes your own credible, consistent account the centerpiece of the claim. A strong tinnitus claim usually includes:

A clear statement that the ringing is recurrent and describing when it started.
Evidence of in-service noise exposure, such as your job (MOS), combat history, or duty around loud equipment.
A medical opinion (nexus) linking the tinnitus to that noise exposure, when service connection is not obvious.

You can gauge where a single condition might land with the free VA Rating Estimator, and organize the supporting documents with the Condition Evidence Builder.

Tinnitus and hearing loss go together

Tinnitus and hearing loss share the same cause, noise damage, so they are often claimed together and rated separately. If you are filing for one, consider filing for the other. Tinnitus can also be claimed as secondary to a service-connected hearing condition or to medications. A nexus letter that explains the link makes either path stronger; the Nexus Letter Template gives your doctor the language VA looks for.

Get organized: use the free Evidence Builder to organize records, statements, and questions to discuss with an accredited representative or provider. You can email yourself your results so you can come back later and keep preparing.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

Expecting more than 10 percent. Tinnitus maxes out at 10 percent by itself. Claiming the related hearing loss is how you capture more.
A vague statement. "My ears ring sometimes" is weaker than describing when it started, how often, and the noise exposure that caused it.
Not connecting it to service. If your records do not show the noise exposure, a short nexus opinion bridges the gap.
Filing tinnitus but forgetting hearing loss (or the reverse).

Prepare for your tinnitus claim

Estimate a rating with the free VA Rating Estimator (tinnitus is built in), organize your records with the Condition Evidence Builder, and bring your doctor an educational Nexus Letter Template. More tools in the Claim Preparation hub.

Use these tools as an educational starting point before speaking with a VSO, accredited representative, attorney, or medical provider. VetClaimsGuide helps you organize your information, understand possible evidence gaps, and prepare better questions. It does not file claims, represent veterans, or guarantee outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the VA rating for tinnitus?
Tinnitus is rated at a single 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 6260. It is a flat rating, meaning you receive 10 percent whether the ringing is in one ear or both.

Can I get more than 10 percent for tinnitus?
No. Ten percent is the maximum schedular rating for tinnitus by itself. However, tinnitus often accompanies hearing loss, which is rated separately, and it can support other claims.

What evidence do I need for a tinnitus claim?
A statement describing your recurrent ringing, evidence of in-service noise exposure such as your job or combat history, and ideally a medical opinion linking the tinnitus to service. Tinnitus is subjective, so a credible, consistent account matters.

Is this an official VA rating?
No. This is free educational information. Your actual rating depends on VA's review of your evidence. Confirm everything at VA.gov or with an accredited representative.

VetClaimsGuide is an independent educational platform and self-help resource. It is not a law firm, not a VSO, not VA-accredited representation, and is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs. It does not file or prepare claims for veterans, represent veterans, or provide legal or medical advice, and it does not diagnose conditions or guarantee any rating, payment, or outcome. It helps veterans organize information, understand possible evidence gaps, and prepare questions to discuss with a VSO, accredited representative, attorney, or medical provider. Confirm everything at VA.gov or with an accredited professional.