Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears):

Tinnitus, otherwise known as “Ringing-in-the-Ear-Syndrome” is the #1 most common VA disability. Tinnitus is characterized by ringing, hissing, buzzing, or other noises in one or both of your ears and the VA recognizes it as a service-connected disability. The ringing in the ears isn’t caused by an external sound, and other people usually can’t hear it, which is a condition called “Subjective Tinnitus.” There is no test for “Subjective” Tinnitus, which is the most common type of Tinnitus. Only you can hear Subjective Tinnitus, and you either have it or you don’t. The only VA Rating for Tinnitus is 10%. There are no higher or lower ratings. In total, 2,944,093 disabled veterans are service-connected for Tinnitus. The VA rates Tinnitus under CFR Title 38, Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 6260, Tinnitus, Recurrent.

You must demonstrate that your tinnitus is related to your military service. This could involve:

  • Exposure to loud noises during service, such as explosions, gunfire, or aircraft noise.

  • Head injury sustained during military service.

  • Other factors potentially linked to tinnitus in specific cases.


    The standard VA disability rating for recurrent tinnitus is 10%. This rating applies whether the condition affects one ear or both. You need a documented medical diagnosis of tinnitus from a qualified healthcare professional. The VA assigns a disability rating based on the severity of your tinnitus and its impact on your daily life. This rating ranges from 10% to 100%, with: 10%: Tinnitus with occasional or rare bothersome or intrusive symptoms. Higher ratings are assigned for more severe cases with constant tinnitus significantly impacting sleep, work, or social interactions.