Meniere's Disease — VA Disability Rating Criteria (DC 6205)
Diagnostic Code 6205 · 38 CFR §4.87
What Is It?
Meniere's disease (also called endolymphatic hydrops) is an inner ear disorder that causes episodes of vertigo (room-spinning dizziness), hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a feeling of fullness or pressure in the affected ear. Episodes can last minutes to hours and may come without warning, making driving and other activities dangerous. The exact cause is not fully understood but it involves excess fluid buildup in the inner ear. Veterans may develop Meniere's after noise exposure, head trauma, or other service-connected ear injuries. The VA rates this condition based on the frequency of vertigo attacks combined with hearing impairment.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once per week, with or without tinnitus. At this level the condition is essentially disabling — the frequency of severe vertigo episodes prevents you from driving safely, working reliably, or maintaining normal daily routines. |
| 60% | Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait (staggering) occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus. At this frequency the attacks significantly limit your ability to work and handle daily activities reliably. |
| 30% | Hearing impairment with vertigo occurring less than once a month, with or without tinnitus. At this level you experience occasional vertigo episodes that are disruptive but relatively infrequent. You may also have documented hearing loss and tinnitus between episodes. |
Evidence Needed
An audiologist or ENT specialist diagnosis of Meniere's disease is essential. Document each vertigo episode in a log — date, duration, severity, and how it affected your activities. Audiograms showing fluctuating or progressive hearing loss support the diagnosis. Records of any falls, emergency room visits, or missed work days due to vertigo episodes are also valuable.
C&P Exam Tips
Keep a detailed vertigo diary for at least three months before your exam. The rating depends heavily on episode frequency, so the examiner needs to know how often you have attacks. Describe the worst episodes — can you stand, drive, or work during an attack? Mention any falls or near-falls. If your hearing fluctuates (common with Meniere's), ask for multiple audiograms over time to show the pattern.
How to File
File under DC 6205. Include your ENT diagnosis, vertigo episode log, audiograms, and any treatment records. If Meniere's developed after service-connected hearing damage or head injury, file it as a secondary condition with a nexus letter explaining the connection. The VA will evaluate your claim either under DC 6205 as a whole, or by separately rating your vertigo (under DC 6204), hearing impairment (under DC 6100), and tinnitus (under DC 6260) — whichever method produces the higher combined result.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is not tracking vertigo episodes. Without a documented frequency, the VA cannot assign the correct rating. Another error is not differentiating Meniere's from other causes of dizziness — make sure you have a confirmed ENT diagnosis specifically of Meniere's disease. Some veterans also miss that the VA must evaluate Meniere's either under DC 6205 or by separately rating vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus under their individual codes — whichever produces the higher overall evaluation. You cannot combine both approaches, but make sure your rater considers both and picks the more favorable one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get separate ratings for Meniere's and tinnitus?
Not exactly. The VA evaluates Meniere's either as a single condition under DC 6205 (which accounts for vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus together) or by separately rating vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus under their individual diagnostic codes. The VA must use whichever method gives you the higher overall evaluation, but you cannot combine ratings from both approaches.
What if my vertigo episodes are unpredictable?
That unpredictability is actually part of what makes Meniere's disabling. Document every episode regardless of when it happens. The VA rates based on average frequency over time.
Is Meniere's disease connected to noise exposure?
While the exact cause of Meniere's is debated, inner ear damage from military noise exposure is a recognized risk factor. If you have service-connected hearing damage and later developed Meniere's, you may be able to establish secondary service connection.