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.