Tinnitus DC 6260
Listed in the rating schedule as “Tinnitus, recurrent”. VA rates it under diagnostic code 6260 in 38 CFR 4.87. Body system: Ears & hearing.
Also searched as: ringing in the ears, ear ringing, ringing ears.
How VA rates it
The schedule has one rating level for this code: 10%.
10% is the maximum, whether in one ear or both.
Source: 38 CFR 4.87 on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 10% | Tinnitus, recurrent |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.87, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Notes in the schedule (3)
Note (1): A separate evaluation for tinnitus may be combined with an evaluation under diagnostic codes 6100, 6200, 6204, or other diagnostic code, except when tinnitus supports an evaluation under one of those diagnostic codes.
Note (2): Assign only a single evaluation for recurrent tinnitus, whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head.
Note (3): Do not evaluate objective tinnitus (in which the sound is audible to other people and has a definable cause that may or may not be pathologic) under this diagnostic code, but evaluate it as part of any underlying condition causing it.
Conditions it can lead to
If this condition is service connected, these conditions are often claimed as secondary to it (38 CFR 3.310). Each one still needs its own diagnosis.
Generalized anxiety disorder DC 9400 Possible link
Tinnitus is linked with anxiety disorders, and the distress can feed on itself.
What to gather: A mental health diagnosis and a medical opinion that your tinnitus caused it or made it worse.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); Tinnitus and anxiety disorders: a review (Hear Res, 2016)
Major depressive disorder DC 9434 Possible link
Constant ringing in the ears is linked with depression, especially when it disrupts sleep and focus.
What to gather: A mental health diagnosis and a medical opinion that your tinnitus caused it or made it worse.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); Association between depression and tinnitus in US adults (Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol, 2023)
Commonly claimed as secondary to
If one of these is already service connected, you may be able to claim this condition as secondary to it.
Hearing loss DC 6100 Established link
Most people with tinnitus have some hearing loss, and NIH describes hearing loss as strongly associated with it.
What to gather: Report the ringing at your hearing exam. If tinnitus isn't already service connected on its own, ask the audiologist whether it is at least as likely as not caused by your hearing loss.
Sources: 38 CFR 3.310 (secondary service connection); NIDCD (NIH): Tinnitus; 38 CFR 4.87
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) DC 8045 Established link Rated separately
VA's TBI rule lists tinnitus as a physical residual rated under its own code.
What to gather: Report the ringing at your TBI and hearing exams so it is recorded as a TBI residual.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.124a, DC 8045 (rate TBI residuals with their own diagnosis separately)
Presumptive rules that include it
If your service matches one of these, VA presumes the link to service and you do not need a medical opinion connecting it.
Chronic diseases that show up within a year of discharge
Covered: Tinnitus, which VA treats as an organic disease of the nervous system at least where there was noise exposure.
Time limit: At least 10% disabling within 1 year of discharge.
Who qualifies: 90 days or more of continuous active service during a war period or after December 31, 1946, and the disease reached at least 10% disabling within 1 year of leaving service (3 years for tuberculosis and Hansen's disease, 7 years for multiple sclerosis).
38 CFR 3.307(a)(3) and 3.309(a). Sources: 38 CFR 3.307; 38 CFR 3.309; VA M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 2, Section B: Conditions of the auditory system
Related medications
Medications that can cause or worsen it
If you take one of these for a service-connected condition, this condition may be claimable as secondary to that condition. You need a diagnosis, your prescription records, and a medical opinion.
Loop diuretics (for example furosemide, bumetanide, torsemide) Possible link
Loop diuretic labels list ringing in the ears as a side effect.
Sources: FDA label: Furosemide (DailyMed); Loop diuretic ototoxicity (PubMed)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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