Tinnitus, recurrent (DC 6260) | VA Rating Tool

Diagnostic Code6260
CategoryThe Ear
Also Known Asringing in ears, tinnitus, Tinnitus, recurrent, buzzing in ears, ear ringing, hearing ringing, hearing loss, deaf, deafness, hard of hearing, hearing aids
View Official CFR Source ↗ 📋 Find DBQ: Tinnitus DBQ 🔗 Secondary Conditions Map
📊 What Veterans Actually Get
10%
Most Common Rating
93.6%
of Vets Get This
93.0%
Approval Rate
#1
Most Claimed

Tinnitus is the #1 most claimed VA disability. The rating is a flat 10% — there is no higher or lower rating. 93.6% of claimants receive the 10% rating.

Pro Tip: Tinnitus is an easy win but only worth 10%. The real value is using it as a gateway to secondary claims like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and migraines.
Next Steps for This Condition
🩺 C&P Exam Prep ✍️ Write Your Statement 📝 Start Your Claim 🧮 Calculate Rating 💰 See Payment 🔗 Check Secondaries
Rating Criteria
Rating Criteria
10% 6260 Tinnitus, recurrent

Conditions Secondary to This

5 links
Generalized anxiety disorder
9400
Strong

Persistent tinnitus is a well-documented cause of anxiety.

View condition Open full map
Major depressive disorder
9434
Strong

Constant ringing disrupts daily life, sleep, and concentration, leading to depression.

View condition Open full map
Migraine
8100
Moderate

Tinnitus can trigger or worsen migraines through sensory overload.

View condition Open full map
Insomnia
NO-DC-INSOMNIA
Moderate

The constant noise of tinnitus makes falling and staying asleep difficult.

Open full map
No standalone diagnostic code entry exists in the conditions table, so treat this as an informational claim lead and confirm the best code with a VSO or medical provider.
Meniere's syndrome
6205
Emerging

Tinnitus can be an early symptom of or co-occur with Meniere's disease.

View condition Open full map

This May Be Secondary To

5 links
Meniere's syndrome
DC 6205
Strong

Tinnitus is a hallmark symptom that can worsen independently

Open map View primary
Generalized anxiety disorder
DC 9400
Moderate

Anxiety heightens awareness of tinnitus symptoms

Open map View primary
Lumbosacral or cervical strain
DC 5237
Moderate

Cervical conditions can cause or worsen somatic tinnitus through nerve pathways

Open map View primary
Posttraumatic stress disorder
DC 9411
Moderate

PTSD hypervigilance can worsen perception of tinnitus. Often co-occurs from shared combat noise exposure.

Open map View primary
Residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI)
DC 8045
Moderate

Blast injuries that cause TBI also frequently damage hearing and worsen tinnitus.

Open map View primary

Disclaimer: Secondary connections shown are based on commonly established medical links. Individual claims require medical evidence. Consult a VSO or VA-accredited attorney.