Recurrent tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, or similar phantom sound) gets a single flat 10% rating, this is the simplest diagnostic code in the entire schedule, with no tiers and no severity scale.
Common Filing Mistake
10% is both the minimum AND the maximum, whether tinnitus is in one ear, both ears, or perceived generally in the head, and no matter how severe or constant it is, it's still just one 10% rating, confirmed by federal court decisions as the settled interpretation. Claiming it separately "for each ear" or expecting a higher rating for worse symptoms will not succeed, one claim, one 10% rating, is the ceiling.
Diagnostic Codes
- DC 6260Tinnitus, recurrent
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|
| 10% | Recurrent tinnitus, regardless of whether perceived as unilateral, bilateral, or in the head (maximum and only compensable rating) |
Special Rules
- Lay testimony alone (your own description of ringing/buzzing since service) is often sufficient to establish tinnitus, unlike hearing loss, which requires audiometric testing.
- Tinnitus is one of the most commonly service-connected conditions overall, frequently claimed alongside hearing loss from the same in-service noise exposure.
- A rule proposing to eliminate tinnitus as a standalone compensable condition (treating it only as a symptom of another condition) has been discussed but was not finalized as of this writing, current rules still apply.
Sourced from 38 CFR §§ 4.71a / 4.130. This is a reference aid, not a rating decision, your actual rating depends on the medical evidence in your specific case and your C&P exam findings. Rules can be amended, verify current text at eCFR.gov or with an accredited VSO before relying on this for a specific claim.