VA Diagnostic Code 6210Chronic otitis externa:
A single 10% rating under § 4.87. Here is what the VA requires for it.
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- 10%
Swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment
Chronic Otitis Externa (VA Diagnostic Code 6210)
Understanding Your Rating for Chronic Otitis Externa
Chronic otitis externa is a condition affecting the ear, rated by the VA under Diagnostic Code 6210 within the § 4.87 regulations covering Impairment of Auditory Acuity.
If you are living with this condition, understanding how the VA evaluates it can help you know what to expect from the rating process.
Available Rating Level
Under Diagnostic Code 6210, there is a single rating level available:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 10% | Swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating chronic otitis externa, the VA reviews the specific symptoms and treatment requirements associated with the condition. To meet the criteria for a 10% rating, the evidence should reflect:
- Swelling of the affected area
- Dry and scaly or serous discharge
- Itching that requires frequent and prolonged treatment
These factors — the presence of the described symptoms together with an ongoing need for frequent and prolonged treatment — are central to how the VA applies this rating.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6210. It is provided for general educational purposes to help you understand how this condition is described in the rating criteria.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.87, diagnostic code 6210. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
View official sourceHow to claim this
Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.
Find your level in the stack
Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.
Name the gap
Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.
Claim it by code
File under diagnostic code 6210 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Impairment of Auditory Acuity codes may cover your secondary conditions.
Find out which rating your evidence supports.
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