What rates 10% for Chronic Otitis Externa under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 (DC 6210), a 10% rating for Chronic Otitis Externa requires: Hearing loss with at least one ear at Level II-IV per Table VI or VII, resulting in a 10% rating per Table VII.

What rates 20% for Chronic Otitis Externa under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 (DC 6210), a 20% rating for Chronic Otitis Externa requires: Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 20% rating per Table VII combination.

What rates 30% for Chronic Otitis Externa under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 (DC 6210), a 30% rating for Chronic Otitis Externa requires: Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 30% rating per Table VII combination.

What happens during a C&P exam for Chronic Otitis Externa?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Chronic Otitis Externa

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Chronic Otitis Externa?

Chronic Otitis Externa (DC 6210) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210. Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.

Q: What rates 0% for Chronic Otitis Externa under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, DC 6210 (DC 6210), a 0% rating for Chronic Otitis Externa requires: Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Chronic Otitis Externa VA claim?

Key evidence for a Chronic Otitis Externa claim includes: 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. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 621038 C.F.R. § 4.87

Diagnostic Code

DC 6210

38 C.F.R. § 4.87

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

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.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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

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.

03Key Evidence

—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

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

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.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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