Under 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6260, tinnitus is assigned a single rating of 10% — no more, no less. This applies whether your tinnitus is in one ear, both ears, constant, or intermittent. There is no higher rating for severe tinnitus and no lower rating for mild tinnitus.
This flat 10% structure has been the subject of debate for decades, with veterans advocates arguing it fails to capture the genuine disability impact on veterans with severe, constant tinnitus. VA has considered changes (see below) but as of April 2026, the 10% rating under DC 6260 remains unchanged and in effect.
The VA's position, backed by rulemaking history, is that tinnitus — as a standalone symptom — can be adequately captured by a single-percentage rating because the subjective nature of the condition makes higher ratings difficult to verify objectively. However, the functional impairment of tinnitus (sleep disruption, cognitive effects, emotional impact) can and should be captured through secondary conditions like insomnia and depression, which receive separate ratings under their own diagnostic codes.
The $175.51/month direct value is significant, but tinnitus often does even more: it establishes service connection for noise exposure, which supports secondary claims for hearing loss (rated separately under DC 6100). Once you have tinnitus service-connected, claiming hearing loss in the same ear becomes significantly easier — and hearing loss ratings range from 0% to 100% depending on audiometric results.
In November 2023, the VA published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) that proposed significant changes to how tinnitus is rated. The proposed changes would have:
Veterans service organizations — the DAV, VFW, American Legion, and others — filed formal objections. The proposed rulemaking generated massive pushback from the veteran community. As of April 2026, the VA has not finalized these changes. The current DC 6260 rating structure remains in effect.
That said, the proposal signals that VA may eventually tighten tinnitus eligibility. Veterans who have tinnitus from military service but haven't yet filed should consider filing now — before any rule changes take effect. Filing an Intent to File locks in an effective date even if you're still gathering evidence.
Changed: Nothing material changed for claims filed before any finalized rule. The 10% rating under DC 6260 is still the active standard.
Didn't change: The rating amount (still 10%), the ability to use lay evidence and buddy statements to establish service connection, the ability to claim tinnitus separately from hearing loss.
Watch for: Any final rulemaking announcement in the Federal Register. If new rules are finalized, they typically apply only to claims filed after the effective date — not retroactively to previously rated veterans.
To receive VA compensation for tinnitus, you must establish "service connection" — a legal link between your tinnitus and your military service. There are three routes.
You claim that tinnitus was caused directly by an in-service event — specifically, noise exposure during military service. This is the most common path for tinnitus claims.
What you need to show:
Key VA precedent: In Jandreau v. Nicholson (Fed. Cir. 2006), the Court held that veterans can use lay statements to diagnose their own tinnitus because it is a condition that is uniquely within the veteran's own perception and knowledge. This makes tinnitus claims easier to establish than conditions requiring objective medical tests.
If you already have VA service-connected hearing loss, you can claim tinnitus as secondary to the same noise exposure that caused your hearing loss — or as secondary to the hearing loss itself. The noise exposure that damaged your cochlea and caused hearing loss also damaged the hair cells that produce tinnitus.
What you need to show:
This is often the cleanest path for veterans who already have hearing loss rated. A simple nexus letter from an audiologist noting that tinnitus and sensorineural hearing loss share a common cause in acoustic trauma is typically sufficient.
For certain veterans, tinnitus may be presumptively service-connected without needing to prove a specific in-service event. This applies under the PACT Act for veterans with certain toxic exposures, and for veterans serving in locations known for high noise environments.
Additionally, veterans who served in combat zones (as defined by DoD) may find it easier to establish the nexus for noise-related conditions because combat inherently involves significant noise exposure from weapons, vehicles, and aircraft.
Check your service history against the PACT Act presumptive conditions list to see if any additional presumptions apply to your situation.
Unlike many VA claims, tinnitus doesn't require extensive objective medical evidence. The VA recognizes that tinnitus is subjective — no audiogram can measure it. Here's what actually helps:
Pull your STRs and look for any mention of ear problems, hearing complaints, audiometric tests showing noise-induced hearing threshold shifts, or records of exposure to weapons fire, aircraft, or heavy equipment. Even a single notation about ringing in your ears is useful. If nothing is documented (common — servicemembers rarely complained about tinnitus), this isn't fatal to your claim.
Write a personal statement describing: (1) the noise exposures you experienced during service — specific weapons systems, vehicles, or environments, (2) when you first noticed ringing or buzzing in your ears, and (3) how your tinnitus affects your daily life now. Be specific. "I operated an M198 howitzer for 18 months and wore hearing protection only intermittently; I noticed ringing in both ears within 6 months of discharge" is far more effective than "I was in the military and now have ringing in my ears."
Fellow servicemembers who served with you in noisy environments can submit VA Form 21-10210 (buddy statement) confirming your noise exposure. "I served with [veteran] as an artillery crew member from 2003–2005 and personally observed him operating howitzers without adequate hearing protection during numerous fire missions" is exactly the kind of statement that helps. How to write an effective buddy statement →
A Tinnitus DBQ (VA Form 21-0960N-2) completed by a licensed audiologist or physician is strong evidence. Private DBQs were temporarily suspended but are again accepted. A physician filling out the DBQ should check the box confirming that tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to your military service, and describe the basis for that opinion.
A nexus letter from an audiologist or physician explicitly stating that your tinnitus is "at least as likely as not" caused by your in-service noise exposure is the strongest single piece of evidence you can submit. This is especially important if your STRs don't document the noise exposure clearly.
Most tinnitus claims trigger a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. Here's what actually happens and how to prepare.
The C&P examiner for tinnitus will likely conduct a brief audiological evaluation — not to measure the tinnitus itself (which can't be measured objectively), but to assess your overall hearing function. They will ask you to describe your tinnitus symptoms: the character of the sound (ringing, buzzing, hissing, roaring), which ear(s) are affected, whether it's constant or intermittent, and how it impacts your daily functioning.
The examiner will complete the Tinnitus DBQ based on your responses and their examination. They will then render an opinion on whether your tinnitus is related to your service.
For a complete guide to preparing for your tinnitus and hearing loss C&P exam, including practice questions and what to bring: C&P Exam Prep: Hearing Loss & Tinnitus →
Tinnitus claims are denied for a limited number of reasons. Understanding why VA denied you tells you exactly what evidence to add on appeal.
VA didn't accept your lay statement as sufficient to establish a current diagnosis. Fix on appeal: Get a formal medical diagnosis from an audiologist or ENT documenting tinnitus. A simple office visit note stating "Patient reports persistent bilateral tinnitus" is sufficient. File a Supplemental Claim with this new evidence.
VA found no credible link between your tinnitus and your service. Fix on appeal: Submit a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional. Also submit a detailed lay statement describing specific noise exposures and the timeline of your tinnitus onset. Buddy statements from fellow servicemembers are highly effective here.
The C&P examiner concluded your tinnitus was not related to service. Fix on appeal: Request a copy of the exam report (you're entitled to it). If the examiner's reasoning is flawed or inadequately supported, a private nexus letter from a qualified professional rebutting the C&P opinion is your strongest tool. A Higher Level Review requesting a new C&P exam is also appropriate if the original exam was clearly inadequate.
Sometimes claims are denied because the evidence package was incomplete at filing. Fix on appeal: File a Supplemental Claim with all the evidence listed above — STRs, lay statement, buddy statements, DBQ, and nexus letter. The Supplemental Claim lane was designed for exactly this situation.
Veterans often ask whether they can claim both tinnitus and hearing loss. The answer is yes — they are rated under entirely different diagnostic codes and are evaluated separately.
These ratings are then combined using VA's combined ratings formula (not simply added together). Here's how the math works with a few examples:
| Tinnitus Rating | Hearing Loss Rating | Combined VA Rating | Monthly Pay (2026, single) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 0% | 10% | $175.51 |
| 10% | 10% | 19% → 20% | $338.49 |
| 10% | 30% | 37% → 40% | $673.28 |
| 10% | 50% | 55% | $1,075.16 |
| 10% | 80% | 82% → 80% | $1,995.01 |
* Combined ratings rounded to nearest 10% per VA regulations. Hearing loss ratings depend on individual audiometric results.
If you have both tinnitus and hearing loss from military noise exposure, file both claims simultaneously. You'll likely be scheduled for a single C&P exam that covers both conditions. Filing separately means separate exams and separate processing times — there's no benefit to splitting them up.
At a 10% combined rating, VA pays $175.51 per month in 2026 for a single veteran with no dependents. Over a 30-year retirement, that's $63,183 in total compensation — tax-free. Veterans with dependents receive additional amounts.
More importantly, a 10% tinnitus rating:
Bottom line: if you have service-related tinnitus and haven't filed, file now. The financial and benefits value compounds over time, and there's no downside to claiming a condition you legitimately have.
Tell our AI navigator about your service history and tinnitus symptoms. Get a personalized claim plan with the exact evidence you need, in about 3 minutes.
Get Your Free Tinnitus Claim Plan →The VA rating for tinnitus in 2026 is 10% under Diagnostic Code 6260. This is the only rating available — there is no 0% or higher rating for tinnitus alone. The 10% rating pays $175.51 per month for a single veteran with no dependents.
No. Despite a 2023 proposed rulemaking that generated significant controversy, the VA tinnitus rating under DC 6260 remains 10% as of April 2026. The proposed changes — which would have required audiometric evidence — were not finalized. The current standard remains in effect.
Yes. Tinnitus (DC 6260) and hearing loss (DC 6100) are separate conditions with separate ratings. You can and should claim both if you have both. They are combined — not added — using VA's combined ratings formula, but having one does not prevent you from claiming the other.
Describe your tinnitus honestly and specifically: the sound character (ringing, buzzing, hissing), which ear(s), whether it's constant or intermittent, and how it affects your life (sleep, concentration, social situations). Connect it to specific military noise exposures. Do not minimize symptoms. The examiner needs to understand the full impact to support a favorable nexus opinion.