Quick Answer: Tinnitus earns a 10% VA rating for veterans who can establish service connection — and it is one of the most commonly service-connected conditions in the VA system. More importantly, tinnitus often opens the door to secondary conditions like hearing loss, anxiety, and sleep disorders that can push your combined rating significantly higher.
What Is the VA Rating for Tinnitus?
The VA rates tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260. There is only one rating level: 10%. This single rating applies regardless of severity — whether you have mild occasional ringing or constant debilitating noise. You cannot receive more than 10% for tinnitus itself under the current VA rating schedule.
In 2026, a 10% VA disability rating pays $175.51 per month for a single veteran. That monthly payment is not the real value of a tinnitus claim — the secondary conditions it unlocks are.
How to Establish Service Connection for Tinnitus
To get service-connected for tinnitus, you need to show three things:
- A current diagnosis of tinnitus — typically from an audiologist
- An in-service event — exposure to noise (weapons fire, aircraft, heavy equipment, explosives) during military service
- A nexus — a connection between the in-service noise exposure and your current tinnitus
For most combat veterans, infantrymen, artillerymen, aviation crew, or anyone who worked around heavy machinery, in-service noise exposure is nearly automatic. The key is documentation. If your STRs show even one entry for noise exposure or hearing complaints, that supports your claim.
What If You Have No In-Service Medical Records for Tinnitus?
Many veterans never reported tinnitus while on active duty — either because they didn’t realize it was a medical issue or because military culture discouraged sick call visits. Lack of in-service treatment records does not defeat your claim. A buddy statement from a fellow service member who served alongside you in a noisy environment, combined with your own personal statement, can establish service connection.
Tinnitus as a Gateway to Secondary Conditions
The 10% tinnitus rating is often step one of a larger strategy. Chronic tinnitus is medically linked to several secondary conditions the VA rates at higher levels:
Service-Connected Hearing Loss
Noise exposure that causes tinnitus often causes hearing loss as well. Hearing loss is rated under Diagnostic Codes 6100–6110 and can reach 10% or higher depending on severity. If you have tinnitus, get a complete audiological evaluation and file for hearing loss as well.
Secondary Anxiety or Depression
Chronic tinnitus is clinically documented to cause or worsen anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. The American Tinnitus Association notes that approximately 25% of people with chronic tinnitus experience significant psychological distress. If your tinnitus has caused or aggravated anxiety or depression, you can file a secondary claim linking those mental health conditions to your service-connected tinnitus.
A secondary mental health rating can range from 10% to 100% depending on occupational and social impairment — dramatically increasing your combined rating.
Secondary Sleep Disorders
Tinnitus is a leading cause of insomnia and sleep disruption. If your tinnitus-related sleeplessness has been diagnosed as a sleep disorder, you can file a secondary service connection claim. Sleep apnea secondary to tinnitus (or secondary to mental health conditions already linked to tinnitus) is a viable secondary claim path.
How to File a Tinnitus Claim
File your tinnitus claim using VA Form 21-526EZ (Application for Disability Compensation). Include:
- Your current tinnitus diagnosis from a civilian or VA audiologist
- Your personal statement describing noise exposure during service
- Buddy statements from fellow service members if available
- Any existing audiological records from service or since discharge
File for hearing loss at the same time. Request a VA audiology evaluation — it’s free — and use the results to support both claims simultaneously.
You should work with an accredited VSO to maximize these claims. Under federal law and California SB 694, only VA-accredited representatives may charge for claims assistance. Accredited VSOs provide this help at zero cost to the veteran.
Tinnitus VA Claim Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get more than 10% for tinnitus?
Not directly — the VA rates tinnitus at a flat 10% under Diagnostic Code 6260 regardless of severity. However, secondary conditions caused or aggravated by tinnitus (anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, hearing loss) can each be rated separately and combined with your tinnitus rating.
Does tinnitus go in both ears or just one for VA purposes?
The VA rates tinnitus as a single 10% rating whether it affects one ear or both. Unlike hearing loss — which is rated separately for each ear — tinnitus is a single bilateral condition for rating purposes.
Can I file for tinnitus years after discharge?
Yes. There is no statute of limitations on VA disability claims. Veterans who separated 20 or 30 years ago can still file for tinnitus. Your effective date will be the date of your claim, so filing sooner always results in more back pay if approved.