38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR §§ 4.85–4.87

Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion — VA Diagnostic Code 6201

Auditory / ENT

Diagnostic code

6201

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38 CFR § 4.87 lists Diagnostic Code 6201 as “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media):”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell on that title is empty. The next cell says “Rate hearing impairment”. That cell does not end with a period, and it does not print a number. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media.” The index drops “with effusion (serous otitis media).”

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.87 source note prints 64 FR 25210, May 11, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 25823, May 14, 2003. The § 4.85 source note prints 64 FR 25206, May 11, 1999.

The rating criteria at each level

6201 Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion (serous otitis media)

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Rate hearing impairment

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Rate hearing impairment

The instruction does not end with a period. It does not name DC 6100.

Appendix B says “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media.” The rating title adds “with effusion (serous otitis media):”.

DC 6201 does not print a 0 percent line and does not print a 10 percent line.

38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. DC 6201 does not print a zero percent evaluation. 38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just. The hearing evaluation this row points to is not a second percentage printed on DC 6201.

DC 6200 is “Chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, or cholesteatoma (or any combination):”. During suppuration, or with aural polyps, that code is 10, and its note evaluates hearing impairment separately. DC 6202 is “Otosclerosis:” and its only instruction is also “Rate hearing impairment”. DC 6211 is perforation of the tympanic membrane at 0. That 0 is not printed on DC 6201.

38 CFR § 4.85 is titled “Evaluation of hearing impairment.” Paragraph (a) requires an examination by a state-licensed audiologist, a controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC), and a puretone audiometry test, without hearing aids. Paragraph (g) says to refer to § 3.350 to determine whether the veteran may be entitled to special monthly compensation due either to deafness, or to deafness in combination with other specified disabilities. Paragraph (g) does not state a payment amount. Paragraph (h) says “Numeric tables VI, VIA*, and VII.” The § 4.85 XML for this date does not print the digits 6100. The catalog page for hearing impairment is DC 6100.

DC 6260 Note (1) says a separate evaluation for tinnitus may be combined with an evaluation under diagnostic codes 6100, 6200, 6204, or other diagnostic code, except when tinnitus supports an evaluation under one of those diagnostic codes. The three numbers in that sentence are 6100, 6200, and 6204. DC 6201 is not one of those three numbers. Recurrent tinnitus is DC 6260.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6201, and 38 CFR § 4.85, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

The index drops the effusion words

Appendix B says “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media.” The § 4.87 title keeps “with effusion (serous otitis media):”.

No percentage on this row

The only criteria cell is “Rate hearing impairment”. It does not end with a period and it does not print 10 or 0.

6100 is not printed in § 4.85

The hearing-impairment section for this date does not print the digits 6100. DC 6100 is the catalog page. The DC 6201 cell does not name that number.

Evidence that speaks to each level

The DC 6201 instruction

What the rater needs to see. Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion, which the title also calls serous otitis media, and the hearing-impairment examination the row says to rate.

Where that usually lives. The ear examination, and the audiology examination § 4.85(a) describes.

A different ear code

What the rater needs to see. Suppuration or aural polyps are the DC 6200 10 percent line. Perforation of the tympanic membrane is DC 6211 at 0. Those cells are not printed on DC 6201.

Where that usually lives. The examination for the code the decision used.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The DC 6201 instruction	Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media with effusion, which the title also calls serous otitis media, and the hearing-impairment examination the row says to rate.	The ear examination, and the audiology examination § 4.85(a) describes.
A different ear code	Suppuration or aural polyps are the DC 6200 10 percent line. Perforation of the tympanic membrane is DC 6211 at 0. Those cells are not printed on DC 6201.	The examination for the code the decision used.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Ear (including Vestibular and Infectious)” under Ear, Nose, Throat. The file is Ear (including Vestibular and Infectious).

The exam form

DC 6201 says “Rate hearing impairment”. This page does not say the form replaces that cell or assigns a percentage to DC 6201.

Related codes and how they interact

Suppurative otitis media prints a 10.

DC 6200 is 10 during suppuration, or with aural polyps, and then tells the reader to evaluate hearing impairment separately. DC 6201 does not print that 10. Its cell is only “Rate hearing impairment”.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “otitis.” It does not assign DC 6201.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for chronic nonsuppurative otitis media?

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, Diagnostic Code 6201 says “Rate hearing impairment”. The row does not print a percentage. Appendix B shortens the name to “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media.” Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Where is the hearing-impairment evaluation?

Section 4.85 is titled “Evaluation of hearing impairment.” Paragraph (a) requires a state-licensed audiologist, a Maryland CNC speech discrimination test, and a puretone audiometry test, without hearing aids. The section’s XML does not print the digits 6100. The catalog page is DC 6100.

FAQ

What percentage does DC 6201 print?

None. The criteria cell says “Rate hearing impairment”. It does not end with a period and it does not print a number. Education only.

Why is the index shorter than the rating title?

Appendix B says “Chronic nonsuppurative otitis media.” The § 4.87 title adds “with effusion (serous otitis media):”.

Does the row name DC 6100?

No. The cell says “Rate hearing impairment”. Section 4.85 is titled “Evaluation of hearing impairment,” and its XML for this date does not print the digits 6100. The catalog page is DC 6100.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6201 and for the hearing-impairment code it used.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other ear codes are on the auditory diagnostic-code index. The category page is ear and hearing conditions.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Auditory / ENT, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Auditory / ENT codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6201 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.