Can you get 10% for tinnitus if denied hearing loss?

Yes, you can receive a 10% rating for tinnitus even if your claim for hearing loss was denied, as they are separate conditions evaluated under different diagnostic criteria. Tinnitus is rated under **38 CFR § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6260**, which provides a **10% rating** (and only a 10% rating) for recurrent tinnitus, regardless of whether it affects one or both ears. Hearing loss is rated under an entirely different scheme (Diagnostic Code 6100) based on specific audiometric thresholds per **38 CFR § 4.85**. A denial for hearing loss simply means your audiometric results did not meet the strict VA impairment thresholds; it does not preclude a grant for tinnitus, which requires a medical diagnosis and evidence linking it to service (**38 CFR § 3.303**). Your private diagnosis from 2015 and your statement about its impact during your exam are crucial evidence. To strengthen your claim, you should file a new or supplemental claim specifically for tinnitus, ensuring you submit your existing private medical records and a detailed personal statement describing the onset, continuity, and severity of your tinnitus since service, as well as the event(s) you believe caused it. The principle from *Buchanan v. Nicholson* supports that separate symptoms can be rated distinctly. Be aware of proposed rating changes that may combine these conditions in the future, but current law allows for separate evaluations.

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes regarding VA claims processes and is not intended as legal or medical advice. For guidance specific to your claim, consult an accredited VA attorney or claims agent.*