EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Chronic Otitis Externa
DC 6210 | 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 |
Chronic Otitis Externa is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6210 of 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.
OVERVIEW
Chronic inflammation of the external ear canal, commonly known as "swimmer's ear." In military personnel, often caused by exposure to water, humid environments, use of hearing protection, or chronic skin conditions affecting the ear canal.
RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)
0%
Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.
10%
Hearing loss with at least one ear at Level II-IV per Table VI or VII, resulting in a 10% rating per Table VII.
20%
Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 20% rating per Table VII combination.
30%
Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 30% rating per Table VII combination.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints
-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)
-Range of motion measurements
-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin
-Buddy statements describing limitations
-Prescription history
-Physical therapy records
-Employment impact documentation
C&P EXAM TIPS (6)
1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.
2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.
3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.
4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).
5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.
6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026