Vertigo and dizziness
Understanding the Vertigo VA Rating
Feeling like the room is spinning around them can be a disorienting and uncomfortable part of daily life for veterans with vertigo. It’s possible your vertigo ties back to an injury or condition you incurred because of your military service, and if so, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. We explain more about what vertigo is, how the VA rates vertigo, and the relationship between vertigo and migraines and vertigo and tinnitus.
What is vertigo?
Vertigo causes dizziness and disorientation. Many people with vertigo describe feeling like the room is spinning or similar sensations of motion. It is sometimes considered a symptom rather than its own diagnosis. For example, vertigo may be a symptom of a condition like Meniere’s disease or vestibular migraines.
Vertigo may stem from problems in the inner ear. This is referred to as peripheral vertigo. Central vertigo, on the other hand, occurs due to issues with the brain including stroke, infection, or traumatic brain injury (TBI), among other reasons. Veterans are also at high risk of TBI, which can cause vertigo. Other causes of vertigo include diabetes, certain medications, and orthostatic hypertension.
While dizziness is the most common symptom associated with vertigo, veterans with vertigo may also experience:
Central vertigo may cause weakness in the arms and legs, facial paralysis, slurred speech, and more in addition to the above symptoms.
Vertigo VA rating
For veterans with vertigo due to a vestibular (inner ear) issue that do not have a Meniere’s disease diagnosis, diagnostic code 6204 for peripheral vestibular disorders may be used. To qualify for a rating under this diagnostic code, veterans must get a vestibular disequilibrium diagnosis. The rating criteria under 6204 is as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Dizziness and occasional staggering | 30% | $537.42 |
| Occasional dizziness | 10% | $175.51 |
Veterans whose vertigo comes from their Meniere’s disease can receive a Meniere’s disease VA rating under diagnostic code 6205. The rating criteria is as follows:
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring more than once weekly, with or without tinnitus | 100% | $3,831.30 |
| Hearing impairment with attacks of vertigo and cerebellar gait occurring from one to four times a month, with or without tinnitus | 60% | $1,395.93 |
| Hearing impairment with vertigo less than once a month, with or without tinnitus | 40% | $774.16 |
| Chronic liver disease with at least one of the following: (1) intermittent fatigue, (2) malaise, (3) anorexia, (4) hepatomegaly, or (5) pruritus | 30% | $537.42 |
This diagnostic code notes Meniere’s disease can also be rated by separately evaluating the different symptoms of Meniere’s disease under the codes for vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss,if it leads to a higher overall rating evaluation. However, veterans cannot receive a rating under 6204 and 6205 at the same time.
But what if you experience bouts of vertigo and dizziness without a Meniere’s disease or vestibular disequilibrium diagnosis?
As previously mentioned, vertigo is often considered a symptom of a condition, not its own diagnosis. You could have vertigo as a result of a TBI, stroke, tumor, or another condition. In these cases, make sure you discuss the symptom with your doctor and at your VA C&P exam. This could potentially lead to a higher evaluation for the condition causing your vertigo.
Vertigo DBQ
A DBQ, or Disability Benefits Questionnaire, is a form used by doctors to help the VA get necessary information on your health conditions. For veterans with vertigo, the DBQ for ear conditions is used if their vertigo stems from a vestibular (inner ear) problem.
Meniere’s disease, peripheral vestibular disorder, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are all diagnoses listed on this DBQ. There are also questions about whether your vestibular condition causes hearing issues or tinnitus, vertigo, or staggering. There is additional room for your doctor to note how the condition affects you, when it began, and tests and treatments you’ve received.
Vertigo secondary to tinnitus VA disability
Vertigo and tinnitus often go hand in hand, as both may be the result of inner ear or brain issues. Tinnitus may also be noticeably worse when vertigo starts. Like vertigo, tinnitus is often considered a symptom, not a diagnosis.
Some veterans want to know if they can receive VA disability for vertigo secondary to tinnitus, but tinnitus is not likely to directly cause vertigo. More often, both tinnitus and vertigo stem from the same condition. For example, those dealing with hearing loss may be likely to experience both vertigo and tinnitus.
VA rating for vertigo secondary to migraines
A typical migraine is characterized by intense, often pulsating pain. Migraines may make a person nauseous and sensitive to stimuli like light and sound. Vestibular migraines may or may not cause pain and other symptoms of a typical migraine, but also lead to dizziness, vertigo, and sometimes tinnitus. Vestibular migraines are thought to be the second most common cause of vertigo.
The VA may rate vestibular migraines under diagnostic code 8100 for migraines or 6204 for peripheral vestibular disorders. Because this can get challenging, an accredited VA disability lawyer may be able to help you decide how best to file your VA claim if you experience vertigo brought on by migraines.