YOUR CONDITION, EXPLAINED
Loss of auricle (ear) VA disability rating & claim guide
The VA rates Loss of auricle (ear) under diagnostic code 6207, in 38 CFR § 4.87 (diseases of the ear), and the schedule provides three evaluation levels for it: 50%, 30% and 10%.
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A CLEARER PATH FORWARD
Make sense of your next step.
01Understand the rating02Know what to gather03Plan your preparationTHE ESSENTIALS
How the VA rates Loss of auricle (ear)
Partial or complete loss of the external ear (auricle).
DC 6207 rates loss of the auricle - the external ear - in three steps: complete loss of both auricles, complete loss of one, and deformity of one with loss of one-third or more of the substance. The evaluation is based on how much of the external ear structure is gone, documented by surgical records, photographs and ENT examination. Any associated hearing impairment or facial disfigurement is evaluated under its own code rather than inside this one.
- Diagnostic code
- 6207
- Rating schedule
- 38 CFR § 4.87
- Schedule levels
- 50%, 30% and 10%
How does the VA choose a rating level?
Which level applies is set by the criteria the evidence meets, not by the diagnosis. Where there is a question as to which of two evaluations applies, 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher one if the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.
This code prints no 0% row. Under 38 CFR § 4.31, a 0% evaluation is assigned where the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.
EXPLORE THE PERCENTAGES
Loss of auricle (ear) VA rating criteria (DC 6207)
Choose a percentage to see what that level means. Open the full comparison to read all the criteria in one place.
These are published rating criteria. Selecting a level does not predict your VA decision.
BUILD YOUR EVIDENCE, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
Evidence for your Loss of auricle (ear) claim
A long list feels easier when you have a place to start. Use this checklist to see what you have and what still needs gathering.
Check off what you’ve gathered. Progress stays on this page until you leave or refresh.
THE EXAM FORM
Which DBQ is used for Loss of auricle (ear)?
VA's page says: “You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers.”
Source: VA: Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs), read September 18, 2026.
SMALL DETAILS. BETTER PREPARATION.
Preparing your Loss of auricle (ear) claim
Start with the practical tips, then explore the common oversights. You don’t need to work through everything at once.
Practical tips for your claim2 tips
- 01
Document both the cosmetic and functional impact, since hearing changes often accompany auricle loss and are worth addressing alongside the visible change.
- 02
Use before-and-after photos when possible, since visual evidence is central to confirming and rating this condition.
C&P exam pitfalls to keep in mind2 tips
- 01
Incomplete visual documentation of the ear's condition.
- 02
No mention of any accompanying functional (hearing) loss.
Common filing mistakes2 tips
- 01
Not submitting photo evidence.
- 02
Missing a hearing test that would provide additional supporting context.
When symptoms may first appear1 tips
- 01
Auricle loss typically results from traumatic injury or surgery related to cancer treatment.
THE BROADER PICTURE
Loss of auricle (ear) by the numbers
- Approval outlook
- Low to Moderate
- Veterans service-connected
- ~300 veterans
- Typical rating awarded
- ~30%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule, not official VA statistics.
LET’S CLEAR A FEW THINGS UP
Common questions about Loss of auricle (ear)
Is Loss of auricle (ear) a VA-rated disability?
Yes. The VA rates Loss of auricle (ear) under VASRD diagnostic code 6207 (Ear Conditions). Partial or complete loss of the external ear (auricle).
What VA disability rating can I get for Loss of auricle (ear)?
Possible VA ratings for Loss of auricle (ear) are 50%, 30%, 10%, 0%. The 0% level comes from 38 CFR 4.31, which assigns it wherever no compensable level is met. Examples: 50%: Complete loss of both; 30%: Complete loss of one; 10%: Deformity of one, with loss of one-third or more of the substance.
What's the typical VA rating awarded for Loss of auricle (ear)?
Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Loss of auricle (ear) at around 30%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 300 veterans are service-connected for Loss of auricle (ear). Estimated approval outlook: Low to Moderate.
What evidence helps prove Loss of auricle (ear) for VA disability?
Strong evidence for a Loss of auricle (ear) claim includes: An ENT report documenting the extent of the loss; VA exam photos; Reconstructive surgery records, if applicable.
Which DBQ is used for Loss of auricle (ear)?
VA's Ear (including Vestibular and Infectious) Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) is on its public list of DBQs. VA's page says: "You can use these forms to submit medical evidence from your health care providers."
What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Loss of auricle (ear)?
Common pitfalls when filing for Loss of auricle (ear): Not submitting photo evidence; Missing a hearing test that would provide additional supporting context.
What conditions can be secondary to Loss of auricle (ear)?
Conditions that can be service-connected as secondary to Loss of auricle (ear), when a medical opinion links them, include: Hearing loss. A secondary condition gets its own rating, which VA combines with the veteran's other ratings under 38 CFR 4.25.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.87, Schedule of ratings, diseases of the ear (Diagnostic Code 6207)
- 38 CFR § 4.7, higher of two evaluations
- 38 CFR § 4.31, zero percent evaluations
Criteria in quotation marks are the regulation’s own words; everything else on this page is Vetrify’s summary of it. The eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
How these figures are checked: our methodology and the open dataset.
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