The VA Is Changing How It Rates Tinnitus — And It’s Bad News for Veterans
The VA is rolling out some significant changes to how tinnitus is evaluated and rated, and unfortunately, this isn’t good news for veterans.
While the exact date for these changes is still up in the air, I anticipate they’ll be implemented by fall or winter of 2024.
The biggest change is that tinnitus will no longer be recognized as a separate condition under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260.
Instead, the VA will treat tinnitus as a symptom of an underlying condition, such as hearing loss, Meniere’s disease, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This means that once these changes take effect, you won’t be able to secure a 10% VA rating for tinnitus as a standalone condition.
This shift is something every veteran dealing with tinnitus should be aware of, and it’s crucial to take action while you still can under the current rules.
Key Aspects of the VA Rating Changes for Tinnitus Claims
Here’s some key parts of the upcoming rating changes to tinnitus for VA disability:
Tinnitus as Part of Hearing Loss (DC 6100)
If you have tinnitus and it’s linked to 0% non-compensable hearing loss (meaning your hearing loss is recognized by the VA but doesn’t qualify for a higher rating on its own), you could still get a 10% rating for the tinnitus. However, if your hearing loss is bad enough to be rated at 10% or higher, the VA won’t give you an extra 10% for the tinnitus. They’re basically saying that tinnitus doesn’t add any additional burden beyond what’s already considered in the hearing loss rating.
No More Separate Ratings for Tinnitus
The VA plans to eliminate and remove DC 6260 for tinnitus, recurrent entirely. This means tinnitus will be evaluated strictly as part of another condition — no more standalone ratings. This is a big deal because it could make it harder to get compensated for tinnitus unless it’s tied directly to something like hearing loss or another service-connected disability.
Impact on Veterans with Current Ratings
If you’re already receiving a 10% VA rating for tinnitus under DC 6260, don’t worry — you’re “grandfathered in.” Your current rating will stay the same, and you won’t lose your benefits. But if you file a new claim or try to increase your rating after these changes take effect, you’ll be dealing with the new rules.
Extra Consideration for Unique Cases
The VA is also addressing situations where hearing loss might cause more issues than usual, like difficulty distinguishing sounds in a noisy environment. They’re saying that the standard rating should cover most of these issues, but if there’s something really unique about your situation, there are still ways to seek additional compensation.
History of Tinnitus VA Ratings
Back in the day, tinnitus was treated as a symptom of hearing loss. For instance, in 1925, raters were instructed to add 15% to the hearing loss rating if tinnitus was present. Over the years, the VA tried to standardize how tinnitus was rated, eventually leading to the standalone 10% rating we have today, which they now say was never their intent. But this new proposal aims to go back to treating tinnitus as part of a broader condition, not an independent issue.
Why These Changes Matter and What to Do Now
These tinnitus rating changes are a huge deal for veterans, and frankly, I believe they’re bad news for veterans and their families.
Under the new rating criteria, you won’t be able to get a separate 10% VA rating for tinnitus anymore.
Instead, you’ll only receive a rating for tinnitus if it’s tied to another underlying condition.
The VA’s rationale is that tinnitus should be treated as a symptom of an underlying condition rather than as a standalone issue, in line with current medical practices.
In my view, this approach doesn’t add up because many veterans exposed to loud noises during military service experience a form of tinnitus known as “subjective tinnitus” — where only they can hear the ringing or buzzing in their ears — without it being linked to any other condition.
If you already have a tinnitus rating, you’re safe.
But if you’re thinking about filing a claim, now is the time to do it before these changes kick in.
And if you have hearing loss or another condition linked to tinnitus, make sure you understand how these new rules could affect you.
Remember, the goal is to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’ve earned.
Stay informed, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help.
About the Author
Brian Reese is a leading VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Frustrated with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans win their VA disability compensation faster. He has served over 10 million military members and veterans since 2013. A former Air Force officer, Brian deployed to Afghanistan in 2011. He is a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy and holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University, where he was a National Honor Scholar.
