VA Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Claims

Tinnitus is the single most claimed VA disability, and hearing loss is close behind. Both come down to documented noise exposure and a current audiological exam.

Tinnitus is a flat 10%

Recurrent tinnitus is rated 10% whether it affects one ear or both. There is no higher schedular rating. What makes it worth claiming anyway: it counts toward your combined rating, and it often supports secondary claims for insomnia, migraines or anxiety.

How hearing loss is rated

VA uses puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz along with Maryland CNC speech discrimination scores, then maps them onto Tables VI and VII. Many veterans with real-world hearing difficulty still rate 0% — that 0% rating still establishes service connection, which protects you if hearing worsens.

Proving noise exposure

Your MOS matters. VA maintains a Duty MOS Noise Exposure Listing; artillery, aviation, armor, infantry and engineering roles carry a high probability of exposure, which makes the in-service element nearly automatic.

Secondary claims to consider

• Insomnia secondary to tinnitus
• Anxiety or depression secondary to tinnitus
• Migraines aggravated by tinnitus

Frequently asked questions

Can I claim tinnitus twice? No, one 10% rating covers both ears.

Does a hearing aid raise my rating? No — VA rates the measured loss, not the correction.