Hearing Loss — VA Disability Rating Criteria (DC 6100)
Diagnostic Code 6100 · 38 CFR §4.85
What Is It?
Hearing loss is a reduction in the ability to perceive sounds, measured by audiometric testing. The VA rates hearing loss using a mechanical, formula-based system under 38 CFR 4.85 and 4.86. Unlike most VA conditions where a rater uses judgment to match symptoms to criteria, hearing loss ratings are determined almost entirely by the numbers from your audiogram. Your puretone thresholds at specific frequencies and your speech recognition scores are plugged into two tables that produce your rating. This makes the hearing loss rating process uniquely objective — but it also means many veterans with noticeable real-world hearing difficulty receive a 0% rating because their audiometric results do not meet the thresholds for a compensable evaluation.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Total hearing loss — Level XI in both ears, or as determined by Table VII when both ears are at the highest acuity levels. |
| 90% | Near-total bilateral hearing loss. |
| 80% | Assigned for profound bilateral hearing loss. |
| 70% | Requires very severe hearing loss in both ears. |
| 60% | Assigned for severe hearing loss, such as one ear at Level VIII and the other at Level VII or higher. |
| 50% | Assigned for severe bilateral hearing loss combinations on Table VII. |
| 40% | Requires substantial measured hearing loss in both ears, such as one ear at Level VII and the other at Level VI. |
| 30% | Assigned for more pronounced hearing loss combinations on Table VII, such as one ear at Level VI and the other at Level V. |
| 20% | Requires a more significant disparity between ears or greater overall loss. For example, one ear at Level V and the other at Level IV, or one ear at Level III and the other at Level VII. |
| 10% | Assigned when the combination of hearing acuity levels for both ears on Table VII yields a 10% evaluation. For example, one ear at Level II and the other at Level V, or one ear at Level III and the other at Level IV. The specific combinations are determined by the intersection on Table VII in 38 CFR 4.85. |
| 0% | The most common outcome. Your audiometric results place both ears at Level I on Table VI (or Table VIA for exceptional patterns). When Table VII is consulted, the intersection of Level I and Level I yields a 0% rating. A 0% rating still means the VA acknowledges your hearing loss is service-connected, which qualifies you for free hearing aids and audiology care through the VA. |
Evidence Needed
Hearing loss claims require an audiometric examination conducted by a licensed audiologist. The VA will schedule a C&P audio exam that includes: (1) puretone audiometry measuring thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz for each ear, and (2) the Maryland CNC speech recognition test. Both sets of numbers are required — the VA cannot rate hearing loss without them. Your service treatment records showing hearing tests at entry and separation are valuable because they can demonstrate a shift in hearing thresholds during service. If your separation audiogram shows worse hearing than your entrance audiogram, that is strong evidence of in-service hearing damage even if your current hearing loss is relatively mild.
C&P Exam Tips
The C&P audio exam is conducted in a sound booth by an audiologist. You will wear headphones and respond to tones at various frequencies and volumes, then repeat a list of words for the speech recognition portion. The key tip is to be honest and not strain to hear sounds you genuinely cannot perceive — do not guess. If you cannot hear a tone, do not press the button or raise your hand. For the speech recognition test, only repeat words you actually understood. Do not try to fill in words you partially heard. Another important factor: schedule your exam for a time when your hearing is at its worst if it fluctuates. If you work in a noisy environment, avoid scheduling right after a shift where temporary threshold shift could mask your baseline loss. Tell the examiner about specific real-world situations where your hearing loss affects you — difficulty in restaurants, needing closed captions, asking people to repeat themselves — as this goes into the remarks and can support an extraschedular referral if warranted.
How to File
File on VA Form 21-526EZ listing hearing loss as the claimed condition. Include a description of your in-service noise exposure (MOS, duty station, specific noise sources). If you have your service treatment records with audiograms, submit copies. File hearing loss and tinnitus together — they share the same noise exposure nexus and are examined at the same C&P appointment. An Intent to File (VA Form 21-0966) locks in your effective date while you prepare your claim. A VSO can help you file at no cost.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is being discouraged by a 0% rating and not filing at all. A 0% service-connected rating for hearing loss entitles you to free hearing aids and audiology care through the VA for life — that is worth thousands of dollars over time. Another common mistake is straining to hear during the C&P exam; this artificially improves your test results and lowers your rating. Some veterans also forget that hearing loss can worsen over time — if your hearing deteriorates, you can file for an increased rating at any point. Finally, many veterans miss the exceptional patterns provision under 38 CFR 4.86, which provides an alternative (and sometimes more favorable) calculation method when puretone thresholds are 55 dB or higher at all four measured frequencies, or when the threshold at 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less and the threshold at 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I get a 0% rating for hearing loss?
Hearing loss is rated using a strict mathematical formula based on audiometric test results. Many veterans with noticeable real-world hearing difficulty still fall at Level I on the VA rating tables, which produces a 0% evaluation. A 0% rating still means your hearing loss is service-connected, which qualifies you for free hearing aids and audiology care through the VA.
How does the VA calculate hearing loss ratings?
The VA uses two tables in 38 CFR 4.85. Table VI converts your puretone threshold average and speech recognition score into a Roman numeral level (I through XI) for each ear. Table VII then cross-references the levels for both ears to produce a percentage rating. For exceptional hearing loss patterns (defined in 38 CFR 4.86), Table VIA may be used instead, which does not factor in speech recognition scores.
Can I get hearing aids from the VA with a 0% rating?
Yes. Any service-connected hearing loss rating — including 0% — entitles you to free hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and audiology care through the VA healthcare system. This is one of the most valuable benefits of a 0% hearing loss rating.
Should I claim hearing loss even if I think my hearing is only slightly reduced?
Yes. Even if your current hearing loss results in a 0% rating, establishing service connection now protects you for the future. Hearing loss typically worsens with age, and having it already service-connected means you can file for an increase later without needing to re-prove the nexus to military service.
What is an exceptional pattern of hearing loss?
Under 38 CFR 4.86, an exceptional pattern exists when puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz are all 55 dB or higher, or when the threshold at 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less and at 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more. In these cases, the VA uses Table VIA (which relies only on puretone averages) as an alternative to Table VI, and applies whichever result is more favorable to the veteran.