Hearing Loss — VA Rating Criteria (38 CFR DC 6100)
The VA rates Hearing Loss under 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.85–4.87, DC 6100, Diagnostic Code 6100, from 0% to 100% based on the frequency and functional severity of symptoms. The maximum 100% rating requires Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result of XI in both ears per Table VI, yielding a 100% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to complete bilateral deafness with zero speech discrimi…. Related conditions in the Auditory body system share this rating framework.
What are the VA rating criteria for Hearing Loss?
No hearing impairment ratable under Table VI (38 CFR § 4.85). Puretone threshold average and speech discrimination scores fall within normal limits bilaterally, or; hearing impairment in one ear only meets Roman Numeral I on Table VI and the other ear is within normal limits, resulting in a non-compensable (0%) rating per Table VII.
Hearing impairment rated on Table VI (38 CFR § 4.85) yields a combined Roman Numeral II–III result in one ear with the other ear at level I or better, producing a 10% combined rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to moderate hearing loss in the better ear with speech discrimination scores of 76–92%.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result of III–IV in one ear, with the other ear at II–III, yielding a 20% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to moderate-to-moderately-severe hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of 60–76%.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result in both ears that yields a 30% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to moderately-severe to severe hearing loss bilaterally with speech discrimination scores of 44–60%.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 40% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to severe bilateral hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of 30–44%.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 50% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of 14–30%.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 60% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to profound bilateral hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of 0–14% in both ears.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 70% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to profound bilateral hearing loss approaching deafness, with near-zero speech discrimination bilaterally.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields an 80% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to near-total deafness with zero or near-zero speech discrimination in both ears.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 90% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to functional deafness with zero speech discrimination bilaterally and puretone thresholds in the severe-profound range (greater than 90 dB HL) in both ears.
Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result of XI in both ears per Table VI, yielding a 100% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to complete bilateral deafness with zero speech discrimination (0%) and puretone threshold averages of 100 dB HL or greater in both ears.
“Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result that yields a 50% rating per Table VII. Typically corresponds to severe-to-profound bilateral hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of 14–30%.”
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Hearing Loss?
How does the VA rate Auditory conditions?
Common Questions About Hearing Loss VA Ratings
What is the VA disability rating for Hearing Loss?
The VA rates Hearing Loss under Diagnostic Code 6100 at the following tiers: 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%. The minimum 0% rating requires: No hearing impairment ratable under Table VI (38 CFR § 4.85). Puretone threshold average and speech discrimination scores fall within normal limits bilaterally, or; hearing impairment in one ear only meets Roman Numeral I on Table VI and the other ear is within normal limits, resulting in a non-compensable (0%) rating per Table VII.. The maximum 100% rating requires: Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result of XI in both ears per Table VI, yielding a 100% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to complete bilateral deafness with zero speech discrimination (0%) and puretone threshold averages of 100 dB HL or greater in both ears..
What is Diagnostic Code 6100?
Diagnostic Code 6100 is the VA rating identifier for Hearing Loss within 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.85–4.87, DC 6100. It defines the specific symptom criteria and percentage thresholds a VA adjudicator uses to assign a disability rating. The diagnostic code is listed on a veteran's rating decision letter.
What is the highest rating for Hearing Loss?
The highest schedular rating for Hearing Loss under DC 6100 is 100%. This tier requires: Hearing impairment producing a combined Roman Numeral result of XI in both ears per Table VI, yielding a 100% rating per Table VII. Corresponds to complete bilateral deafness with zero speech discrimination (0%) and puretone threshold averages of 100 dB HL or greater in both ears.. Veterans who cannot secure substantially gainful employment due to Hearing Loss alone or in combination with other service-connected conditions may also qualify for TDIU at the 100% compensation rate under 38 CFR § 4.16.
What 38 CFR section governs Hearing Loss ratings?
Hearing Loss is rated under 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.85–4.87, DC 6100, Diagnostic Code 6100. This section is part of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR Part 4) and can be read in full at the eCFR website.
Which conditions are commonly secondary to Hearing Loss?
Conditions commonly secondary to Hearing Loss include: Depression / Anxiety (Hearing Loss-Related), Vestibular Disorder / Balance Problems, Social Isolation / Major Depressive Disorder, Tinnitus. Secondary conditions caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability are ratable under 38 CFR § 3.310. Medical nexus evidence linking the primary and secondary condition is required.
What evidence do I need to establish service connection for Hearing Loss?
Service connection for Hearing Loss requires three elements: (1) a current diagnosis of the condition, (2) an in-service event, injury, or disease that may have caused or aggravated it, and (3) a medical nexus connecting the current diagnosis to that in-service event. A nexus letter from a treating physician or independent medical examiner is the most reliable nexus evidence. C&P exam findings can also establish nexus if adequately documented.
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