Tinnitus, recurrent
Diagnostic code 6260
This formula governs the ear criteria published in 38 CFR §4.87. The criteria below are quoted from the regulation and are current as of 2026-07-07.
This explains the published rating criteria. It is not a prediction about any veteran’s claim, and only VA decides a rating.
Published criteria
Notes printed with this ladder in the regulation
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.
Related condition pages
- How VA rates tinnitus (diagnostic code 6260)
Related VA rating resources
Browse the VA rating criteria hub, use the combined-rating calculator to understand how ratings combine, or see the published figures in the VA disability pay chart.
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