---
title: "DC 6260 - Tinnitus, recurrent"
diagnostic_code: "6260"
body_system: "Impairment of Auditory Acuity"
cfr_section: "§ 4.87"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/hearing/6260-tinnitus"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.87"
updated: "2026-07-21T03:22:50.272139Z"
---

# DC 6260 - Tinnitus, recurrent

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

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 10% | Tinnitus, recurrent |

## Notes

- 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.

# Tinnitus, Recurrent — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 6260)

*Body system: Impairment of Auditory Acuity · 38 CFR § 4.87*

## What This Condition Is

Recurrent tinnitus is the perception of sound — such as ringing, buzzing, or humming — that comes and goes over time. Under VA's rating schedule, tinnitus is rated the same whether the sound is perceived in one ear, in both ears, or in the head.

This diagnostic code covers **recurrent tinnitus**. It does **not** cover *objective tinnitus* — a form in which the sound is audible to other people and has a definable cause that may or may not be pathologic. Objective tinnitus is instead evaluated as part of the underlying condition that causes it.

## Available Rating Level

The rating schedule for recurrent tinnitus under Diagnostic Code 6260 provides a single rating level:

| Rating | Criteria |
|--------|----------|
| **10%** | Tinnitus, recurrent |

Only a **single evaluation** is assigned for recurrent tinnitus, regardless of whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head.

## What the VA Looks For

When rating tinnitus under this code, the VA considers the following:

- **Type of tinnitus.** The condition must be recurrent tinnitus. Objective tinnitus (audible to others, with a definable cause) is not evaluated under this diagnostic code — it is evaluated as part of any underlying condition causing it.
- **A single evaluation.** Only one rating is assigned for recurrent tinnitus, whether the sound is perceived in one ear, both ears, or in the head.
- **How it combines with other conditions.** A separate evaluation for tinnitus may be combined with an evaluation under diagnostic codes 6100, 6200, 6204, or other diagnostic code — *except* when the tinnitus itself supports an evaluation under one of those diagnostic codes.

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6260 (38 CFR § 4.87). It is provided for general informational purposes and does not guarantee any specific rating or outcome.*

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