---
title: "DC 6205 - Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops):"
diagnostic_code: "6205"
body_system: "Impairment of Auditory Acuity"
cfr_section: "§ 4.87"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/hearing/6205-menieres-disease"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:23:44.188737Z"
---

# DC 6205 - Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops):

Rated under § 4.87. Body system: Impairment of Auditory Acuity.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus |
| 60% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus |
| 30% | Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus |

## Notes

- Note: Evaluate Meniere's syndrome either under these criteria or by separately evaluating vertigo (as a peripheral vestibular disorder), hearing impairment, and tinnitus, whichever method results in a higher overall evaluation. But do not combine an evaluation for hearing impairment, tinnitus, or vertigo with an evaluation under diagnostic code 6205.

# Meniere's Syndrome (Endolymphatic Hydrops)

**VA Diagnostic Code 6205 — 38 CFR § 4.87**
*Body system: Impairment of Auditory Acuity*

## What Is Meniere's Syndrome?

Meniere's syndrome (also called endolymphatic hydrops) is an inner-ear condition that affects both hearing and balance. Under VA Diagnostic Code 6205, it is rated based on a combination of symptoms — including hearing impairment, attacks of vertigo (a spinning or dizziness sensation), cerebellar gait (a balance and walking disturbance), and sometimes tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

The VA rates this condition primarily on **how often vertigo and cerebellar gait attacks occur**, alongside the presence of hearing impairment.

## Available Rating Levels

| Rating | What the VA Looks For |
|--------|------------------------|
| **100%** | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring **more than once weekly**, with or without tinnitus |
| **60%** | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring **one to four times a month**, with or without tinnitus |
| **30%** | Hearing impairment with vertigo **less than once a month**, with or without tinnitus |

## What the VA Looks For When Rating This Condition

When evaluating Meniere's syndrome, the VA focuses on:

- **Hearing impairment** as a consistent feature across all rating levels.
- **The frequency of vertigo attacks** — from less than once a month up to more than once weekly.
- **The presence of cerebellar gait** (a balance/walking disturbance), which factors into the higher rating levels (60% and 100%).
- **Tinnitus**, which may or may not be present ("with or without") at each level.

### Important Note on How the Rating Is Applied

The VA may evaluate Meniere's syndrome in one of two ways — **whichever results in a higher overall evaluation**:

1. **Under Diagnostic Code 6205** using the criteria above, **or**
2. **By separately evaluating** vertigo (as a peripheral vestibular disorder), hearing impairment, and tinnitus.

However, the VA **does not combine** a separate evaluation for hearing impairment, tinnitus, or vertigo with an evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6205. One method or the other is used — not both together.

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87