Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)
The VA rates Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) under Diagnostic Code 6205 across 3 severity levels, from 30% to 100%. The applicable level depends on the full criteria and the evidence for the condition. These percentages are alternatives, not amounts to add together.
Rating schedule — DC 6205 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 30%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 3
- CFR section
- § 4.87
- Body system
- Auditory System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
30%, 60%, 100%
Where this code is published
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 30% | Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus |
| 60% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus |
| 100% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus |
“Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus”
What other auditory conditions does the VA rate?
These diagnostic codes sit next to Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) in 38 CFR Part 4. The rating schedule is ordered anatomically, so neighbouring codes usually cover the same joint, organ, or system, and a claim often involves more than one of them.
- 6100Hearing LossRated up to 100%
- 6200Chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, or cholesteatoma (or any combination)Rated up to 10%
- 6204Peripheral vestibular disordersRated up to 30%
- 6207Loss of auricleRated up to 50%
- 6208Malignant neoplasm of the ear (other than skin only)Rated up to 100%
- 6210Chronic otitis externaRated up to 10%
- 6211Tympanic membrane, perforation ofRated up to 0%
- 6260Tinnitus, recurrentRated up to 10%
- 6275Sense of smell, complete lossRated up to 10%
- 6276Sense of taste, complete lossRated up to 10%
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- VA Service Connection Evidence 101: The Three-Legged StoolFor an original claim tied to active-duty service, VA needs a current disability, an in-service event, and a link between them. Here is what each part takes.
- VA Math Explained: How Combined Disability Ratings Really WorkVA ratings do not add. Learn how 38 CFR 4.25 combines disabilities using whole-person efficiency, why 50 and 30 round to 70, and how the bilateral factor works.
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- P&T vs 100% VA Disability: What Is the Difference?Permanent and total (P&T) and a 100 percent VA rating are not the same thing. Here is what total, permanent, and protected each mean, and what P&T unlocks.
Common Questions About Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
The VA rates Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) under Diagnostic Code 6205 at 30%, 60%, 100%. The minimum 30% rating requires: Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus. The maximum 100% rating requires: Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
The VA rates Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6205, published in 38 CFR § 4.87. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 30% and a 100% rating for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
A 30% rating requires: Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus. A 100% rating requires: Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 100% rating for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
The key evidence for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops) is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Meniere's syndrome (endolymphatic hydrops)?
The C&P examiner uses a Auditory System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 6205 rating criteria. The examiner documents symptom frequency, severity, and functional impact. Bring all treatment records and describe your worst days, not your best — the VA rates on the full clinical picture across time, not a snapshot of one good day.
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