Reference: 38 CFR 4.87, DC 6210

What is the VA rating for Chronic Otitis Externa?

Based on chronic outer ear infection/inflammation symptoms.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

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VA evaluates chronic otitis externa (an ongoing infection or inflammation of the outer ear canal) under Diagnostic Code 6210. The rating is based on the presence of specific ongoing symptoms and treatment requirements.

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Explore Chronic Otitis Externa Criteria & Tools

Review CFR CriteriaJump to the regulatory criteria section to evaluate the baseline requirements for this condition.Continue Percentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.Continue Secondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

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Overview

About this condition

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.87, Schedule of Ratings - Ear, DC 6210

This hub explains the published DC 6210 schedule and common record language. It does not diagnose a condition, determine service connection, estimate an outcome, or replace medical care or accredited representation. VA does not provide a published 0 percent criteria row for this diagnostic code.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

10

Highest listed pathway

Swelling, discharge, and itching that requires frequent, prolonged treatment.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence

Official CFR language: Swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching requiring frequent and prolonged treatment
Qualification explanation: This rating applies when medical records document all of these specific symptoms (swelling, dry and scaly or serous discharge, and itching) and note that the condition requires frequent and prolonged treatment.
Medical evidence: Medical records documenting swelling, discharge, itching, and frequent/prolonged treatment

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Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

No 0 Percent Schedular Row

The published schedule for DC 6210 provides a single evaluation for 10%. There is no published schedular 0% row. RatingScope does not display or infer an unpublished 0% criterion for this condition.

Records to review: .

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Official VA Forms & DBQs

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

Take the public DBQ to your private physician or review it prior to your C&P examination.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

Can I get a rating higher than 10% for this condition?

Not under DC 6210 directly, as 10% is the highest (and only) percentage specified in the schedule for chronic otitis externa.

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External source/reference

38 CFR 4.87 - Schedule of Ratings, Ear

Official regulation source for DC 6210.

Open 38 CFR 4.87 - Schedule of Ratings, Ear

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Chronic Otitis Externa

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Chronic Otitis Externa yet.

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Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

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VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

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Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

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