Meniere's Disease (Endolymphatic Hydrops)
Meniere's disease is an inner-ear disorder causing episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. VA rates it on how often vertigo attacks with an unsteady (cerebellar) gait occur, up to 100 percent.
How the VA rates it
Rated under diagnostic code 6205 based on the frequency of attacks combining hearing impairment with vertigo and cerebellar gait. Alternatively, VA can rate the components separately — vertigo as a peripheral vestibular disorder (6204), hearing loss (6100), and tinnitus (6260) — and combine them. The rater must use whichever method produces the higher overall rating, but never both.
Rating criteria by percentage
Rated up to 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 one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus.
Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus.
Secondary condition strategy
Commonly claimed secondary to this
Conditions veterans often develop from this one — each can be its own rating under 38 CFR 3.310.
- Major Depressive Disorder — Anxiety or depression secondary to unpredictable disabling vertigo attacks is sometimes claimed.
This is often secondary to
If you already have one of these service-connected, it may support connecting this condition.
- Traumatic Brain Injury — Inner-ear damage from head trauma or blast exposure is sometimes linked to Meniere's-type symptoms.
Evidence that strengthens this claim
- Get a formal ENT diagnosis of Meniere's disease — vertigo alone is often rated under the much lower-capped 6204 instead, so the specific diagnosis matters.
- Keep an attack diary with dates, duration, and whether you staggered or fell; attack frequency is the entire difference between 30, 60, and 100 percent.
- Include audiograms showing the fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss typical of Meniere's, and any vestibular testing (VNG/ENG).
Rating rules to know
Rate under 6205 OR by separately rating vertigo (6204), hearing impairment (6100), and tinnitus (6260) and combining them — whichever method yields the higher rating. A 6205 rating cannot be combined with separate ratings for hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo.
Related diagnostic codes
More ear, hearing & balance conditions
Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears)
Tinnitus is a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound with no external source. It is the single most claimed VA disability, rated at a flat 10 percent.
Rated up to 10%
Hearing Loss (Sensorineural)
Service-connected hearing loss is rated by a strict mechanical formula from your audiogram, not by how much trouble you feel you have hearing. Most grants come out at 0 or 10 percent even when hearing aids are needed.
Rated up to 100%
Peripheral Vestibular Disorder
Peripheral vestibular disorders are inner-ear balance problems causing dizziness and unsteadiness (including labyrinthitis, vestibular neuritis, and BPPV). VA rates them at 10 or 30 percent based on dizziness and staggering.
Rated up to 30%
Disclaimer: Valor Rating is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Always review your documents carefully before submitting to the VA. For official guidance, consult an accredited VSO, claims agent, or attorney.