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DVA payout for tinnitus in 2026

Tinnitus is rated on its own short scale, from 0 to 15 points, based on how much it affects you day to day. It's usually claimed alongside hearing loss and adds to your combined rating.

Rates and rules checked October 2026

Where tinnitus sits on the impairment scale

What tinnitus pays at 2026 rates

These examples run typical ratings through DVA's compensation tables. Operations service (warlike or non-warlike) pays more than peacetime service at the same rating, up to 80 points where they meet.

ExamplePointsOperations servicePeacetime service
Tinnitus with mild hearing loss
Tinnitus 5 combined with hearing loss 5		10$49.66/wk
$60,685 lump sum		$27.74/wk
$33,898 lump sum
Severe tinnitus on its own
Needs masking		10$49.66/wk
$60,685 lump sum		$27.74/wk
$33,898 lump sum
Very severe tinnitus with moderate hearing loss
Tinnitus 15 combined with hearing loss 10		24$114.98/wk
$140,506 lump sum		$64.42/wk
$78,721 lump sum
 Illustrative ratings before any age adjustment, using the lifestyle rating DVA treats as typical for each rating. Weekly amounts at 1 July 2026 rates; lump sums for a man aged 40 (slightly higher for women). Estimates only.

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Your conditions and how severe they are
Combined impairment points0
0102030405060708090100

Where did the conditions come from?
Sex
Estimated lump sum
$0

An estimate only, not what DVA will decide. Based on GARP M 2026 and DVA's published maximum of $447.39 a week.

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How DVA rates tinnitus

Tinnitus has its own table in GARP M 2026 (Table 7.1.11), separate from hearing loss:

How it affects youPoints
Occasional, or not troublesome0 to 2
Every day, but tolerable5
Severe, needs a masking device10
Very severe, regularly interferes with sleep15

Unlike hearing loss, tinnitus doesn't have the 5-point exception, so on its own it needs to reach the general 10-point threshold. Claimed with hearing loss or other conditions, it adds to your combined rating.

Is tinnitus accepted on diagnosis?

From 1 July 2026, tinnitus is accepted for any defence service with no minimum period, once it's diagnosed.

All new claims are decided under the MRCA from 1 July 2026. If you lodged before then, your claim is decided under the Act that applied when you lodged. What changed.

Common questions

Is tinnitus accepted by DVA?
Yes. From 1 July 2026 tinnitus is accepted on diagnosis for any defence service, with no minimum period.
Can I get paid for tinnitus alone?
Only if it's rated at 10 points or more, which means severe tinnitus that needs masking. At 5 points it needs to combine with another condition, usually hearing loss, to reach the 10-point threshold.

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