VASRD 6202 · Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Mastoiditis VA Disability Rating
This code covers mastoiditis on its own, infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear, distinct from a related code that covers mastoiditis combined with chronic otitis media. If your case involves the mastoid infection without the broader combined diagnosis, this narrower, single-tier code is what applies.
VA Rating Tiers
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Ongoing pus discharge from ear |
How the VA Evaluates Mastoiditis
ENT records of infection, imaging, and hearing impact.
Approval outlook
Low (~35%) unless infection is ongoing.
Veterans service-connected
~150 veterans
Typical rating awarded
~10%
Vetrify editorial estimates informed by VA published claims data (VBA Annual Benefits Report) and the VA rating schedule — not official VA statistics.
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Best Evidence to Gather
- •An ENT consult with imaging.
- •Records of antibiotic treatment and ear drainage.
Strategy Tips
- •Only file under this code if you have recent ENT evidence, since it specifically requires an active, ongoing infection rather than a resolved historical one.
- •Include hearing impact details, since mastoid infections can affect nearby hearing structures.
C&P Exam Pitfalls
- •A resolved condition with no current symptoms, since this code specifically requires ongoing suppuration.
- •No hearing test included.
Common Filing Mistakes
- •No specialist treatment on record.
- •Failure to show the condition's chronicity.
Onset Patterns
- •Mastoiditis typically develops as a complication of chronic otitis media that wasn't fully resolved.
Secondary Conditions
Conditions commonly linked to Mastoiditis. Service-connecting a secondary condition can increase your combined rating.
Common questions about Mastoiditis
- Is Mastoiditis a VA-rated disability?
- Yes. The VA rates Mastoiditis under VASRD diagnostic code 6202 (Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)). This code covers mastoiditis on its own, infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear, distinct from a related code that covers mastoiditis combined with chronic otitis media. If your case involves the mastoid infection witho…
- What VA disability rating can I get for Mastoiditis?
- Possible VA ratings for Mastoiditis are 10%. Examples: 10%: Ongoing pus discharge from ear.
- What's the typical VA rating awarded for Mastoiditis?
- Vetrify estimates the typical rating awarded for Mastoiditis at around 10%, based on VA claims data and the rating schedule. An estimated 150 veterans are service-connected for Mastoiditis. Estimated approval outlook: Low (~35%) unless infection is ongoing.
- What evidence helps prove Mastoiditis for VA disability?
- Strong evidence for a Mastoiditis claim includes: An ENT consult with imaging.; Records of antibiotic treatment and ear drainage..
- What mistakes should veterans avoid when claiming Mastoiditis?
- Common pitfalls when filing for Mastoiditis: No specialist treatment on record.; Failure to show the condition's chronicity..
- What conditions are commonly secondary to Mastoiditis?
- Conditions often service-connected as secondary to Mastoiditis include: Hearing Loss, Tinnitus. Filing for secondary conditions can increase a veteran's combined VA rating.
Official sources
- 38 CFR § 4.87 — Schedule of ratings — diseases of the ear (Diagnostic Code 6202)
Rating criteria on this page are an educational summary of the cited regulation — the eCFR text is authoritative. See how Vetrify derives its numbers.
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