Can I claim hearing loss and tinnitus separately?
I have ringing in my ears and I also have trouble hearing what people are saying. Should I file one claim for "ears" or do I need to list them as two different things?
1 Answer
Yes, hearing loss and tinnitus are rated under different Diagnostic Codes and should be claimed as separate conditions. 1. Tinnitus (DC 6260): This is the "ringing in the ears." It is a flat 10% rating, whether it is in one ear or both. It is one of the most common service-connected disabilities. 2. Hearing Loss (DC 6100): This is rated based on a very specific audiogram (hearing test) administered at a C&P exam. The VA looks at "speech recognition" and "pure tone threshold." Important Note: It is very difficult to get a rating higher than 0% for hearing loss unless your hearing is significantly impaired. However, even a 0% rating is valuable because it grants you free hearing aids and batteries from the VA for life. Always claim both if you suffer from both.
Your Answer
About this community. The Military Disability Nexus Q&A is a free, public forum for general education about VA disability claims. Expert Answers are general information only – based solely on the limited facts in a posted question, not individualized medical or legal advice, and they do not create a clinician-patient or attorney-client relationship. Member posts are their own; we don't verify or endorse them and may moderate or remove content. The VA decides every claim on its own facts – no outcome is promised or guaranteed. We are an independent medical-evidence provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by the VA. Free help is available from VA-accredited VSOs; see our Community Guidelines and Disclaimer.