Tinnitus remains one of the most commonly claimed service-connected disabilities among veterans, often described as a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in the ears. For years, the VA has awarded a 10% rating for tinnitus, regardless of whether it affected one or both ears. However, in 2025, proposed updates to the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are introducing significant changes that could impact how tinnitus claims are evaluated and compensated.
The Current Standard for Tinnitus Compensation
Until now, tinnitus has been evaluated under diagnostic code 6260, which provides a 10% disability rating. This rating is not based on the severity of the condition or its impact on daily life. Instead, it has served as a flat rate for any veteran experiencing the condition. For many veterans, this was a small but important recognition of a service-connected condition—especially for those exposed to loud environments such as artillery, aircraft, or machinery.
What’s Changing in 2025
The VA is proposing a revision that would eliminate the standalone rating for tinnitus unless it is a symptom of a more significant, ratable condition. In this new framework, tinnitus would only be rated if it’s directly linked to another service-connected disability, such as hearing loss or traumatic brain injury (TBI). If tinnitus exists independently of another recognized disability, it may no longer qualify for compensation.
This change reflects a broader shift within the VA toward basing ratings on functional impairment rather than symptoms alone. The goal, according to the VA, is to modernize the rating schedule to better align with current medical understanding and standards of disability evaluation.
Impact on Veterans
If this proposal is implemented, many veterans who might have once qualified for a 10% rating based solely on tinnitus may find their claims denied unless they have a linked, diagnosable condition. This could also impact future claims for increases or secondary service connections, especially for veterans who have had tinnitus for many years but have not developed associated hearing loss or neurological disorders.
For those currently receiving compensation for tinnitus, the VA has stated that existing ratings would be grandfathered in—meaning they would not be reduced or removed due to the new rule. However, veterans filing new claims in 2025 and beyond may face more scrutiny and stricter eligibility.
What Veterans Can Do Now
Veterans should consider taking a few proactive steps in response to these proposed changes:
File a claim before the rule changes take effect. If you have tinnitus and haven’t yet filed a claim, doing so now may help you qualify under the existing rules.
Gather evidence linking tinnitus to other conditions. If your tinnitus is a result of head trauma, hearing loss, or another disability, make sure to document the connection clearly.
Get a detailed audiology evaluation. A VA or private audiologist can provide evidence supporting the presence and cause of tinnitus, which could strengthen your claim under the new rules.
Speak with a VSO. Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) are well-versed in current and upcoming changes and can help you navigate the best course of action based on your specific situation.
Looking Ahead
It’s still uncertain exactly when and how the new rating changes will be implemented, but many expect them to take effect by late 2025 or early 2026. The VA is expected to release final rules following a public comment period and internal reviews.
As the VA modernizes its disability compensation system, conditions like tinnitus are being re-evaluated through a more medicalized lens. While this may lead to fairer outcomes in some cases, it also raises concerns about veterans with legitimate symptoms falling through the cracks.
Veterans affected by tinnitus should act now while the current criteria remain in place. Filing a well-supported claim before the policy changes can secure a permanent rating and ensure continued compensation, even if future rules become more restrictive.
