Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 6260
Tinnitus Secondary to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Tinnitus when it develops after Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative.
Why Tinnitus Is Linked to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative
Inner ear irritation
Primary condition · VASRD 6207
Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative
This code rates chronic suppurative otitis media, active, ongoing infected ear drainage, as a single-tier condition rather than a graduated scale, meaning the rating is the same whether the drainage is mild or more significant, as long as it's continuous. If your rating decision cites this specific code, confirming that drainage is active and ongoing is the entire basis of the claim.
Secondary condition · VASRD 6260
Tinnitus
Tinnitus means you hear ringing, buzzing, or hissing in your ears even when there’s no sound.
Tinnitus VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Tinnitus the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative — severity of Tinnitus itself determines the percentage.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Ringing or buzzing in the ears that keeps coming back. |
Example combined rating
10% Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative + 10% Tinnitus = 19%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 10% combine to 19%, not 20%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Email me this Tinnitus secondary guide
Get the rating criteria for Tinnitus, the evidence a secondary claim needs, and why it is linked to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative — delivered to your inbox.
Evidence for a Tinnitus Secondary Claim
- •Consistent reports of tinnitus in VA exams
- •History of military noise exposure (e.g., flight line, artillery)
- •C&P exam confirmation
- •Service records confirming hazardous noise duty
Common questions about Tinnitus secondary to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative
- Can Tinnitus be service-connected as secondary to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. Inner ear irritation You'll need a current Tinnitus diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative —…
- What VA rating can I get for Tinnitus as a secondary condition?
- Tinnitus is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 6260 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Tinnitus itself, not on the severity of Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative.
- How does a secondary Tinnitus claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative combined with a 10% rating for Tinnitus (example figures) produces a combined rating of 19%, not 20%. Approving Tinnitus as secondary still typically raises your overall co…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Tinnitus as secondary to Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Tinnitus diagnosis includes: Consistent reports of tinnitus in VA exams; History of military noise exposure (e.g., flight line, artillery); C&P exam confirmation; Service records confirming hazardous noise duty. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating provider e…
Primary condition
Full Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative guide
Secondary condition
Full Tinnitus guide
Estimate your combined rating
See how Otitis Media, Chronic Suppurative and Tinnitus combine with the rest of your service-connected conditions using the official VA combined-ratings formula.
Open the calculator
VA Calc: Disability Pay
Combine your ratings & see monthly pay on your iPhone · Works offline