Looking for Expert-Level VA Claim Answers?📱Call Us Now! 737-295-2226
Dizzy spells, ringing in the ears, or sudden loss of balance can make daily life difficult—and for many veterans, these symptoms are linked to service.
Vertigo and Meniere’s disease are two of the most common ear-related conditions claimed with the VA.
But how does the VA rate them?
In this guide, we explain the VA rating criteria for vertigo and Meniere’s disease, how to prove service connection, and what evidence you need to strengthen your claim.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Vertigo and Meniere’s disease are inner ear conditions that can cause dizziness, hearing loss, and balance problems (common among veterans exposed to loud noise).
- The VA rates vertigo under DC 6204 (10–30%) and Meniere’s disease under DC 6205 (30–100%), depending on severity and frequency of symptoms.
- To establish service connection, veterans must provide a current diagnosis, evidence of in-service noise exposure or injury, and a medical nexus.
- Both vertigo and Meniere’s can also be rated as secondary conditions, often linked to tinnitus or other service-connected disabilities.
What is Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease?
Vertigo is the sensation of spinning or dizziness when there is no real movement. Veterans with vertigo may also experience nausea, ringing in the ears, balance problems, or headaches.
Meniere’s disease is an inner ear condition caused by fluid buildup that interferes with nerve signals to the brain. This can trigger vertigo, dizziness, hearing loss, ear pressure, and tinnitus. Although there’s no cure, treatments such as hearing aids and diuretics can help manage symptoms.
Both conditions are common among veterans exposed to loud noise, blast injuries, or head trauma during service.
VA Disability Ratings for Vertigo and Meniere’s Disease
The VA rates vertigo and Meniere’s disease under 38 CFR § 4.87, Schedule of Ratings—Diseases of the Ear. Ratings depend on the severity and frequency of symptoms such as dizziness, staggering, hearing loss, and balance problems.
Vertigo (Diagnostic Code 6204 – Peripheral Vestibular Disorders):
- 30% – Dizziness with occasional staggering
- 10% – Occasional dizziness
(Objective medical evidence of vestibular dysfunction is required for a rating.)
Meniere’s Disease (Diagnostic Code 6205):
- 100% – Hearing impairment with vertigo and cerebellar gait more than once weekly
- 60% – Hearing impairment with vertigo and cerebellar gait one to four times monthly
- 30% – Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month
Note: The VA will rate either under DC 6205 as a whole, or separately rate vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing impairment—whichever results in the higher combined rating.
How to Prove Service Connection for Vertigo or Meniere’s
To establish service connection, veterans must show:
- A current diagnosis of vertigo or Meniere’s disease.
- An in-service event, injury, or illness (such as noise exposure, blast trauma, or head injury).
- A medical nexus linking the condition to service (can be a nexus letter)
Evidence may include:
- Military occupational specialty (MOS) records showing noise exposure.
- Service treatment records, personnel records, or credible statements.
- Civilian medical records or an Independent Medical Opinion/Nexus Letter.
Veterans must also attend a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam, where a VA examiner reviews symptoms and medical evidence to determine severity and connection to service.
Secondary Service Connection for Vertigo and Meniere’s
Even if not directly caused by service, vertigo and Meniere’s can be linked as secondary conditions to other service-connected disabilities:
- Meniere’s secondary to tinnitus: Veterans with service-connected tinnitus may develop Meniere’s disease as a result of inner ear damage.
- Vertigo secondary to tinnitus: Vertigo may develop as a complication of service-connected tinnitus or hearing loss.
Pro Tip: In these cases, a strong Independent Medical Opinion (nexus letter) is essential to show the secondary connection.
Conclusion
Vertigo and Meniere’s disease are serious conditions that affect balance, hearing, and quality of life. The VA rating system recognizes this, with ratings ranging from 10% to 100% depending on severity. Winning your claim requires the right evidence—a diagnosis, proof of service connection, and often a strong medical nexus.
If your claim has been denied or underrated, don’t give up. With the right strategy and evidence, many veterans successfully increase their VA rating for vertigo or Meniere’s disease and secure their benefits.
NEED MORE ASSISTANCE?
Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and, therefore, not getting their due compensation. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the back pain VA rating and compensation you’re owed by law.
Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully developed claim (FDC).
If you’ve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low rating—or you’re unsure how to get started—reach out to us! Take advantage of a VA Claim Discovery Call. Learn what you’ve been missing—so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE!
We’ve supported over 25,000 veterans in winning their claims and increasing their ratings. NOW IT’S YOUR TURN.
FAQs
How does the VA rate vertigo?
The VA rates vertigo under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6204, Peripheral Vestibular Disorders. Veterans with occasional dizziness may receive a 10% rating. If dizziness causes occasional staggering, the rating is 30%. Objective medical evidence of vestibular dysfunction is required before a rating is assigned.
How does the VA rate Meniere’s disease?
Meniere’s disease is rated under DC 6205. Ratings range from 30% to 100%, depending on how often vertigo attacks occur and whether they include hearing loss and balance problems. The VA may rate Meniere’s as a single condition or separately rate vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing impairment—whichever produces the higher combined rating.
Can you get a VA rating for dizziness alone?
There is no specific diagnostic code for dizziness by itself. However, dizziness is a common symptom of vertigo and Meniere’s. If a veteran can prove service connection, dizziness may be rated under DC 6204 (vertigo) or DC 6205 (Meniere’s), depending on the severity and accompanying symptoms.
Will tinnitus affect my vertigo or Meniere’s claim?
Tinnitus is not required for a vertigo or Meniere’s claim, but it can strengthen it. Tinnitus is often linked to inner ear conditions and may provide supporting evidence. In some cases, veterans can claim Meniere’s or vertigo as secondary conditions to tinnitus.
What if my VA claim for vertigo or Meniere’s is denied?
If denied, veterans can appeal by requesting a Higher-Level Review, submitting a Supplemental Claim with new evidence, or appealing directly to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Strong medical evidence, such as an Independent Medical Opinion or Nexus Letter, is often critical to a successful appeal.
Can vertigo or Meniere’s disease be service-connected as secondary conditions?
Yes. Both conditions may be considered secondary to other service-connected disabilities such as tinnitus or hearing loss. In these cases, veterans need medical evidence showing a direct link between the primary service-connected condition and the secondary diagnosis.
About the Author – Veteran Eddie Chavarria
Eddie Chavarria
Eddie is a 14-year Army and National Guard veteran. He spent 6 years enlisted and deployed to Iraq in 2004. On returning, he decided to apply for flight school and was accepted. Eddie ended his career as Warrant Officer with three aircrafts under his belt (Blackhawk, Apache A/D and Lakota).
After transitioning into consulting/sales through a recruitment at Dell, Eddie chose to work at VA Claims Insider out of a desire to help his fellow brothers and sisters. As a disabled veteran, he understands the frustration and anxiety associated with dealing with the VA and wanted to help.
Eddie says: “My success to this day comes from the simple recipe of listening, understanding and helping.” Eddie enjoys spending time with his young daughter and credits his family with much of his success.
You can connect with Eddie at [email protected].
