How the VA Rates Vertigo in 2026
The VA rates vertigo and vestibular disorders under DC 6204 (labyrinthine dysfunction) based on how frequently you experience prostrating attacks, with ratings ranging from 10% to 100%.
Vertigo — the sudden, disorienting sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning — can be completely disabling during an attack. For veterans, it most often results from blast exposure, traumatic brain injury, or inner ear damage from acoustic trauma. Understanding how the VA quantifies your attack frequency is the key to maximizing your rating.
DC 6204: Labyrinthine Dysfunction — The Primary Vertigo Code
DC 6204 is the primary diagnostic code for vestibular disorders, covering Ménière's syndrome and similar labyrinthine conditions. The rating is entirely based on the frequency and severity of prostrating attacks.
| Rating | Attack Frequency |
|---|---|
| 10% | Vestibular disturbances; one attack in the last 2 years |
| 30% | Characteristic attacks (1–4 per year), with or without tinnitus and hearing loss |
| 60% | Characteristic attacks (4–8 per year), with or without tinnitus and hearing loss |
| 100% | Frequent attacks (more than 1 per month), with or without tinnitus and hearing loss |
A "characteristic attack" under DC 6204 is a prostrating episode — one that forces you to stop all activity, lie down, or otherwise become incapacitated. Brief dizziness that does not incapacitate you may not qualify as a characteristic attack. Document the duration and impact of each episode carefully.
Ménière's Syndrome vs. BPPV: Different DCs Apply
Not all vertigo conditions fall under DC 6204. The underlying diagnosis matters.
Ménière's Syndrome (DC 6205)
Ménière's disease involves the full triad of episodic vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, and tinnitus, caused by excess fluid in the inner ear. DC 6205 rates it similarly to DC 6204 — by attack frequency — but also accounts for the hearing and tinnitus components. Veterans often benefit from filing all three components (vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus) to maximize the combined rating.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
BPPV is caused by displaced calcium crystals in the inner ear canals. It is typically triggered by head position changes and resolves with the Epley maneuver. The VA rates BPPV under DC 6204 if it causes prostrating episodes. If BPPV is well-controlled, it may only warrant 10%. If attacks remain frequent and disabling despite treatment, higher ratings are appropriate.
Traumatic Vestibulopathy from Blast Exposure
Veterans who were near explosions — IEDs, artillery, grenades — often develop vestibular dysfunction from the concussive pressure wave damaging inner ear structures. This is called blast-induced vestibular damage or traumatic vestibulopathy. ICD-10: H81 series (disorders of vestibular function). The nexus for blast-exposed veterans is typically strong — any documentation of in-service blast exposure (combat records, incident reports, medic's notes) supports the claim.
Concurrent Claims That Raise Your Combined Rating
Vertigo rarely occurs in isolation. Filing concurrent claims significantly increases your combined rating.
Tinnitus (DC 6260)
Tinnitus — ringing in the ears — is rated at 10% as a standalone condition and is extremely common in veterans with vestibular disorders. A 30% vertigo rating combined with 10% tinnitus produces a combined 37% under VA math. See the VA tinnitus rating guide for the full claim strategy.
Hearing Loss (DC 6100)
Sensorineural hearing loss from acoustic trauma or blast exposure is separately ratable under DC 6100. Veterans with Ménière's syndrome or traumatic vestibulopathy who also have documented hearing loss should file all three conditions together. See the VA hearing loss rating guide.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Many veterans with blast-related vestibular dysfunction also have a TBI. TBI with vestibular symptoms may be rated under TBI codes, or the vestibular symptoms may be rated separately — whichever produces a higher combined rating. Do not let the VA rate all your blast symptoms under one code if separate ratings are warranted.
Nystagmus
Abnormal involuntary eye movement (nystagmus) is often associated with vestibular disorders. If your vestibular condition causes nystagmus that impairs vision, it may support a separate visual system claim.
Documenting Vertigo for the C&P Exam
The C&P examiner's report determines your rating tier, so thorough documentation is essential.
- Attack log: Keep a written or app-based diary for 6–12 months before your exam. Record the date, time, duration, and what you had to stop doing during each attack.
- Trigger documentation: Note triggers (head movement, standing up, stress, noise). Some examiners look for positional triggers to distinguish BPPV from other vestibular disease.
- Functional impact: Describe how attacks affect work, driving, and daily activities. Can you drive after an attack? Do you fall?
- Medical records: Audiology evaluation, electronystagmography (ENG) or videonystagmography (VNG) testing, and vestibular function tests document objective impairment.
- Blast exposure documentation: DD-214, unit history, or buddy statements confirming proximity to explosions during service.
TDIU for Severe Vertigo
A 60% or 100% vertigo rating, especially when combined with tinnitus and hearing loss, often prevents veterans from working safely. Unpredictable prostrating attacks make most jobs — especially those involving machinery, driving, heights, or precision work — impossible to perform reliably. TDIU pays at the 100% monthly rate when a single condition reaches 60% or a combined rating reaches 70% with one condition at 40%.
Use the VA disability rating calculator to see how vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss combine and whether your total reaches TDIU eligibility thresholds.
2026 Monthly Compensation for Vertigo
- 10%: approximately $175.51/month
- 30%: approximately $537.42/month
- 60%: approximately $1,361.88/month
- 100%: approximately $3,737.85/month (no dependents, 2026 rate)
Filing Your Vertigo Claim
File on VA Form 21-526EZ. List "vertigo" or your specific diagnosis (Ménière's, BPPV, vestibular dysfunction) as the contention. File tinnitus and hearing loss as separate contentions on the same form. Attach your attack log, audiology records, and any nexus letter connecting the vestibular condition to service. For a full overview of the VA disability system, see the VA disability benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "prostrating attack" for VA vertigo rating purposes?
A prostrating attack is an episode so severe it forces you to stop all activity and lie down or be incapacitated. Brief spells of dizziness that allow you to continue functioning do not qualify. Document the duration and impact of each attack — not just that it occurred.
Can blast exposure service-connect my vertigo?
Yes. Blast-induced vestibular damage is a well-recognized condition. Any documentation of in-service blast exposure — combat records, incident reports, buddy statements — supports a nexus to vestibular dysfunction. You do not need to have been officially diagnosed during service.
What is the difference between DC 6204 and DC 6205?
DC 6204 covers general labyrinthine dysfunction (vestibular disorders broadly). DC 6205 covers Ménière's syndrome specifically, which includes the full triad of vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Both rate by attack frequency, but filing under DC 6205 ensures the VA recognizes the full syndrome and does not overlook the hearing and tinnitus components.
Can I get rated for both vertigo and tinnitus?
Yes. Tinnitus under DC 6260 and vestibular vertigo under DC 6204 are separate diagnostic codes rating different physiological impairments. The VA can and does rate them separately. A combined 30% vertigo and 10% tinnitus produces a 37% combined rating under VA math.
How many attacks per year do I need for a 60% rating?
DC 6204 requires 4 to 8 characteristic (prostrating) attacks per year for a 60% rating. More than one attack per month (12 or more per year) qualifies for 100%. Document every attack with date, duration, and functional impact.
Does medication that controls vertigo affect my VA rating?
The VA rates based on your actual symptom frequency — not hypothetical symptoms if you stopped medication. If medication controls your vertigo to below the rating threshold, your rating reflects the controlled level. If medication helps but attacks still occur at a ratable frequency, document that your condition is not fully controlled.
See how your vertigo rating combines with tinnitus and hearing loss. Use the Rank and Pay VA Disability Rating Calculator to model your combined rating and monthly compensation in 2026 — including whether your combination qualifies for TDIU.