Why tinnitus is always 10%
Diagnostic Code 6260 caps tinnitus at a single 10% rating. You can't get separate ratings for left and right ear tinnitus — the rating is for the condition itself.
Service connecting tinnitus
Most veterans with documented MOS-related noise exposure (artillery, aviation, mechanic, infantry) have a strong nexus. A lay statement plus an audiology C&P exam is usually sufficient.
Hearing loss
Hearing loss is rated separately from tinnitus and uses Maryland CNC speech testing plus puretone thresholds. Many veterans qualify for both.
Even at 10%, tinnitus matters
A 10% tinnitus rating combined with a 70% PTSD rating raises the raw total from 70% to 73% — sometimes enough to push a borderline rating up to the next 10% bracket.