A tinnitus VA rating is one of the simplest in the entire system — a flat 10%, no more, no less. It’s also the single most common service-connected disability among veterans. But here’s what most veterans miss: the real value of a tinnitus claim usually isn’t the 10% itself. It’s what tinnitus opens the door to. This guide explains the rating, why it’s capped, and the smart way to use it.
Quick disclaimer: This is general educational information, not legal advice. Talk to an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) or attorney about your specific case.
How Tinnitus Is Rated: Diagnostic Code 6260
Tinnitus is rated under 38 CFR 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6260, and the rule is unusually simple: there is a single 10% rating for recurrent tinnitus. That’s it. No 0%, no 20%, no 50% — it’s 10% or nothing. In 2026, that 10% pays about $180.42 per month for a veteran with no dependents.
One important detail confirmed by federal court: you get only one 10% rating whether the ringing is in one ear, both ears, or “in the head.” You cannot get a separate 10% for each ear. This was settled in Smith v. Nicholson and remains the rule. So “bilateral tinnitus” doesn’t mean double the rating.
A quick note on 2026 rumors: you may have seen claims that “tinnitus won’t be rated in 2026 unless you have hearing loss.” As of early 2026, that is not the law. The VA published a proposed rule that would change how tinnitus is evaluated, but proposed is not final and not in effect. DC 6260’s standalone 10% rating is still active. Don’t change your strategy based on a rule that hasn’t taken effect.
Why the 10% Cap Isn’t the Whole Story
The 10% cap frustrates a lot of veterans — especially when the ringing keeps you up at night or wrecks your concentration. But tinnitus is best understood as a “gateway claim.” Once it’s service-connected, it can open the door to several secondary conditions that are rated separately and can significantly raise your combined rating:
- Hearing loss — rated separately from tinnitus and often connected to the same noise exposure.
- Migraines — frequently claimed secondary to tinnitus; see our guide on the migraine VA rating.
- Anxiety, depression, or insomnia — the constant noise can genuinely contribute to mental health conditions, which can be claimed as secondary.
Because each of these is rated on its own and then combined with your tinnitus through VA math, the tinnitus claim can be the foundation of a much higher overall rating than 10% alone.
How to Establish Service Connection for Tinnitus
Tinnitus is largely a subjective condition — there’s no test that “proves” it the way a blood test proves something. That actually works in your favor, because your competent, credible report of the symptom is itself evidence. Most tinnitus claims come down to three elements:
- A current report of recurrent tinnitus symptoms (ringing, buzzing, hissing, humming, clicking).
- An in-service event — most commonly hazardous noise exposure (weapons, aircraft, engines, machinery).
- A link between the two — continuity of symptoms since service often establishes this.
Be specific when you describe it: tell the VA exactly what you hear, whether it’s constant or intermittent, and when it started relative to your service noise exposure. A buddy statement from someone who served with you, or a family member who’s heard you describe the ringing for years, can help establish that continuity.
The Bottom Line
A tinnitus VA rating is a flat 10% under DC 6260 — capped, no matter how severe — but it’s one of the most strategically valuable claims you can file, because it’s the gateway to hearing loss, migraine, and mental health secondaries that build a far higher combined rating. File it, describe your symptoms specifically, and think about what it connects to. For the full picture of how claims work, start with our walkthrough of how VA disability claims work. You can review the rating schedule on VA.gov.