Tinnitus — ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears — is the single most commonly claimed VA disability condition year after year. Over 2.3 million veterans currently receive compensation for tinnitus. If you served and experience ringing in your ears, there's a very strong chance you have a valid claim you haven't filed yet.
Tinnitus is always rated at exactly 10% — no more, no less, regardless of severity. That equals $180.42/month in 2026 for a veteran alone. It may seem small, but it stacks with every other rating you have.
Why Tinnitus Is Always 10%
Unlike most VA conditions, tinnitus has a fixed rating under Diagnostic Code 6260. The VA rates it at 10% for recurrent tinnitus — period. It doesn't matter if your tinnitus is mild or completely debilitating. The rating doesn't go higher on its own. This is one of the most straightforward ratings in the system, which is both its strength and its limitation.
Who Qualifies?
To receive a tinnitus rating, you need to show:
- A current diagnosis of tinnitus (or a credible lay statement describing the symptoms)
- An in-service event that could have caused it — typically noise exposure from weapons, aircraft, vehicles, or machinery
- A connection between the two (nexus)
The good news: tinnitus is one of the few conditions where your own statement describing the ringing and connecting it to noise exposure during service carries significant weight. You don't always need a complex medical opinion.
How to File a Tinnitus Claim
Filing is straightforward. Submit VA Form 21-526EZ online at VA.gov/disability. In the condition description, write "tinnitus — bilateral" and describe the in-service noise exposure. If you have any audiology records or a doctor's note mentioning tinnitus, include those. A personal statement describing when the ringing started and your service MOS or duties is highly effective.
Stacking Tinnitus With Hearing Loss
Many veterans who have tinnitus also have service-connected hearing loss. These are rated separately — tinnitus under DC 6260 and hearing loss under DC 6100. You can receive both ratings simultaneously, and they combine using VA math to increase your overall rating and monthly pay.
| Condition | Rating | Combined | Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinnitus only | 10% | 10% | $180.42 |
| Hearing loss only (mild) | 10% | 10% | $180.42 |
| Both together | 10% + 10% | 20% | $356.71 |
Tinnitus as a Stepping Stone
Many veterans file tinnitus as their first VA claim — it's straightforward, well-documented in service records, and easy to win. Once you have any service-connected rating, you're in the VA system and can begin filing additional conditions. A 10% tinnitus rating also qualifies you for VA healthcare, which opens the door to treatment for all your other conditions.
See How Tinnitus Affects Your Combined Rating
Add your tinnitus 10% to your other ratings and see your exact combined pay.
Combined Rating Calculator →Bottom Line
If you served and have ringing in your ears, file this claim today. It's the most commonly won VA claim for a reason — the evidence requirement is minimal, the connection to military noise exposure is obvious, and the rating process is simple. At $180.42/month, it adds up to over $2,100 per year. And once you're in the system, the door opens to everything else.