EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
← All Condition GuidesCLAIM RECON INTEL
Meniere Disease VA Disability Rating
DC 6205 | 38 C.F.R. § 4.87 | M21-1, Part IV.ii.6
OVERVIEW
Meniere disease is an inner ear disorder causing vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear fullness. It is rated under DC 6205 based on the frequency of vertigo attacks and hearing impairment. Common in veterans with blast exposure, acoustic trauma, or head injuries. The rating combines vertigo and hearing loss components, though hearing loss and tinnitus can also be rated separately.
RATING CRITERIA (3 LEVELS)
100% -- Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus
Frequent disabling vertigo with hearing loss.
60% -- Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring 1-4 times monthly, with or without tinnitus
Regular vertigo episodes with hearing changes.
30% -- Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus
Periodic vertigo episodes with documented hearing loss.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Audiogram showing hearing loss pattern consistent with Meniere disease
-Vestibular function testing (ENG/VNG, caloric testing)
-ENT specialist diagnosis of Meniere disease
-Service records showing acoustic trauma, blast exposure, or head injury
-Vertigo attack log: frequency, duration, severity, associated symptoms
SECONDARY CONDITIONS (3 MAPPED)
DC 9413/9412
Unpredictable vertigo attacks cause severe anxiety and panic.
DC 9434
Chronic disability from vertigo and hearing loss causes depressive disorder.
DC Various
Vertigo attacks cause falls and secondary musculoskeletal injuries.
C&P EXAM TIPS (4)
1.Keep a detailed log of every vertigo attack: date, duration, severity, what you were doing, and whether you fell or had to sit/lie down.
2.The rating is based on FREQUENCY of attacks. Weekly attacks = 100%. Monthly = 60%. Less than monthly = 30%.
3.Get both an audiogram and vestibular function testing to document the full scope of the condition.
4.If you have tinnitus, it may be rated separately at 10% in addition to the Meniere rating.
DOLLAR IMPACT
Meniere disease at 60% (monthly attacks) pays $1,432.71/mo. At 100% (weekly attacks), $3,938.58/mo. One of the higher-value individual condition ratings available.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026