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Hearing impairment

Diagnostic code 6100 · Ear · 38 CFR 4.85

VA has proposed changing these rules

The proposal (87 FR 8474 (supplemental proposal 89 FR 74162, Sept. 12, 2024), published February 15, 2022) is not in effect. The rules on this page still apply until VA publishes a final rule.

Read the proposal in the Federal Register

Rating criteria: the exact regulation text

Quoted from 38 CFR 4.85. The "Rating" column is the percentage VA assigns for that level.

VA rates hearing loss with three tables in 38 CFR 4.85. In the official text these tables are printed as images; we typed them in and checked every cell twice against the official image.

Table VI: Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Puretone Threshold Average and Speech Discrimination

Columns: Puretone Threshold Average · Rows: % of discrimination

% of discrimination	0-41	42-49	50-57	58-65	66-73	74-81	82-89	90-97	98+
92-100	I	I	I	II	II	II	III	III	IV
84-90	II	II	II	III	III	III	IV	IV	IV
76-82	III	III	IV	IV	IV	V	V	V	V
68-74	IV	IV	V	V	VI	VI	VII	VII	VII
60-66	V	V	VI	VI	VII	VII	VIII	VIII	VIII
52-58	VI	VI	VII	VII	VIII	VIII	VIII	VIII	IX
44-50	VII	VII	VIII	VIII	VIII	IX	IX	IX	X
36-42	VIII	VIII	VIII	IX	IX	IX	X	X	X
0-34	IX	X	XI	XI	XI	XI	XI	XI	XI

Table VIa: Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based Only on Puretone Threshold Average

Columns: Puretone Threshold Average

0-41	42-48	49-55	56-62	63-69	70-76	77-83	84-90	91-97	98-104	105+
I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X	XI

* This table is for use only as specified in §§ 4.85 and 4.86.

Table VII: Percentage Evaluation for Hearing Impairment (Diagnostic Code 6100)

Columns: Poorer Ear · Rows: Better Ear

Better Ear	XI	X	IX	VIII	VII	VI	V	IV	III	II	I
XI	100*
X	90	80
IX	80	70	60
VIII	70	60	50	50
VII	60	60	50	40	40
VI	50	50	40	40	30	30
V	40	40	40	30	30	20	20
IV	30	30	30	20	20	20	10	10
III	20	20	20	20	20	10	10	10	0
II	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	0	0	0
I	10	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

* Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under §3.350 of this chapter.

The VA exam form for this condition

VA examiners record their findings on a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). Reading it shows you what the exam will measure and ask.

Hearing Loss and TinnitusVA doesn't publish this form; a VA or VA-contract examiner completes it.

All of VA's public DBQs

Rules that apply to this body system

Where this comes from

38 CFR 4.85, VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities, from the official eCFR.

Regulation text current as of October 16, 2026.

Read it on eCFR.gov

Information, not advice

This page shows the text of VA's rating regulation for information. It is not a rating estimate, and it is not legal or medical advice. VA decides every rating on the evidence in your file.

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