Education · 38 CFR § 4.85 · Ears and hearing
Hearing loss VA rating (DC 6100)
VA rates hearing loss under diagnostic code 6100 in 38 CFR § 4.85. The rule book lists 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Hearing loss (bilateral or unilateral), rated with Tables VI, VIa and VII. Last reviewed October 16, 2026. Official text: 38 CFR § 4.85 on eCFR.
Tables VI, VIa, and VII
Diagnostic code 6100 uses these three tables. 38 CFR 4.85(h) prints them as pictures on eCFR (er11my99.005.gif and er11my99.006.gif; 64 FR 25206, May 11, 1999). The cells below were read from the official GPO print of the same section. This is the published grid. It is not your exam and not your rating. We do not read an audiogram.
Sources: 38 CFR 4.85 on eCFR · GPO print, 38 CFR 4.85 (2024 edition) · GPO print, 38 CFR 4.85 (2025 edition) · 38 CFR 4.86 on eCFR
| Speech 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 |
Columns are the puretone threshold average in decibels. Rows are the speech discrimination percent. The cell is a Roman numeral, I through XI.
| Puretone threshold average | Numeral |
|---|---|
| 0–41 | I |
| 42–48 | II |
| 49–55 | III |
| 56–62 | IV |
| 63–69 | V |
| 70–76 | VI |
| 77–83 | VII |
| 84–90 | VIII |
| 91–97 | IX |
| 98–104 | X |
| 105+ | XI |
Table VIa is used when the examiner certifies that a speech test is not appropriate, and when 38 CFR 4.86 says to use it.
| Better ear / poorer 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| I | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rows are the better ear. Columns are the poorer ear. The cell is the published percent. A blank cell is not on the table, because the poorer ear is not worse than the better ear. * Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter.
Exceptional patterns (38 CFR 4.86)
“(a) When the puretone threshold at each of the four specified frequencies (1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hertz) is 55 decibels or more, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.”
“(b) When the puretone threshold is 30 decibels or less at 1000 Hertz, and 70 decibels or more at 2000 Hertz, the rating specialist will determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from either Table VI or Table VIa, whichever results in the higher numeral. That numeral will then be elevated to the next higher Roman numeral. Each ear will be evaluated separately.”
Each rating level in plain English
- Table VII, printed above, is the level list. The published percents on that table are 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. The percent is the cell where the better-ear row meets the poorer-ear column.
Plain words come from our reading aid for the published words. They never add a symptom. The quotes below are the rule.
Exact words in 38 CFR § 4.85
This is not your rating, your pay, or a VA decision.
These are the words of 38 CFR 4.85(a) through (h), from the GPO print. Subsection (h) points at Tables VI, VIa, and VII. eCFR prints those tables as pictures, so the cells are in the tables above. They are not quoted here as eleven sentences.
“(a) An examination for hearing impairment for VA purposes must be conducted by a state-licensed audiologist and must include a controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) and a puretone audiometry test. Examinations will be conducted without the use of hearing aids.”
“(b) Table VI, “Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based on Puretone Threshold Average and Speech Discrimination,” is used to determine a Roman numeral designation (I through XI) for hearing impairment based on a combination of the percent of speech discrimination (horizontal rows) and the puretone threshold average (vertical columns). The Roman numeral designation is located at the point where the percentage of speech discrimination and puretone threshold average intersect.”
“(c) Table VIa, “Numeric Designation of Hearing Impairment Based Only on Puretone Threshold Average,” is used to determine a Roman numeral designation (I through XI) for hearing impairment based only on the puretone threshold average. Table VIa will be used when the examiner certifies that use of the speech discrimination test is not appropriate because of language difficulties, inconsistent speech discrimination scores, etc., or when indicated under the provisions of § 4.86.”
“(d) “Puretone threshold average,” as used in Tables VI and VIa, is the sum of the puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz, divided by four. This average is used in all cases (including those in § 4.86) to determine the Roman numeral designation for hearing impairment from Table VI or VIa.”
“(e) Table VII, “Percentage Evaluations for Hearing Impairment,” is used to determine the percentage evaluation by combining the Roman numeral designations for hearing impairment of each ear. The horizontal rows represent the ear having the better hearing and the vertical columns the ear having the poorer hearing. The percentage evaluation is located at the point where the row and column intersect.”
“(f) If impaired hearing is service-connected in only one ear, in order to determine the percentage evaluation from Table VII, the non-service-connected ear will be assigned a Roman Numeral designation for hearing impairment of I, subject to the provisions of § 3.383 of this chapter.”
“(g) When evaluating any claim for impaired hearing, refer to § 3.350 of this chapter 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.”
“(h) Numeric tables VI, VIA*, and VII.”
Summary of how this code is rated
This is a summary, not a quotation. The exact words are in the quotes above.
Each ear gets a Roman numeral from Table VI (speech score and puretone average) or, when the examiner certifies a speech test is not appropriate, Table VIa (puretone average only). Table VII then pairs the better ear with the poorer ear. 38 CFR 4.85(b), (c), (e).
Puretone threshold average is the 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz thresholds added up and divided by four. 38 CFR 4.85(d).
An ear that is not service connected is assigned Roman numeral I, except as § 3.383 provides. 38 CFR 4.85(f).
Exceptional patterns, 38 CFR 4.86: (a) when each of 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz is 55 dB or more, use whichever of Table VI or VIa gives the higher numeral; (b) when 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less and 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more, use the higher of Table VI or VIa, then raise it one numeral. Each ear is looked at separately.
Ratings come from the VA exam numbers (Maryland CNC speech test and puretone audiometry, 38 CFR 4.85(a)), not from how hearing feels day to day. Daily effects still matter for the exam report.
eCFR shows Tables VI, VIa and VII as pictures (er11my99.005.gif, er11my99.006.gif; 64 FR 25206, May 11, 1999). The cells here were copied from the official GPO print of 38 CFR 4.85 (2025 edition).
What records usually show this
VA reads these things from your records: service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and the VA claim exam (C&P exam). The published words on this page talk about:
- Hearing test numbers for each ear (speech score and puretone average from a VA-approved exam): usually found in a test or exam result in your records. The rule book reads this number from the test, not from a statement.
Education only. This does not say you have any of these, and a record that mentions them does not decide a rating. Only write what is true for you. Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA claim exam (C&P exam)
Put your records next to these lines
Statement review checks your own statement against the published words for this code and points out what it does not cover yet. It does not write it for you. Ask My Records finds where your uploaded records mention these topics and shows the page number.
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How this code uses the hearing tables
Diagnostic code 6100 does not list symptoms. 38 CFR 4.85 uses a hearing exam: a Maryland CNC speech test and a puretone test, without hearing aids. Each ear gets a Roman numeral from Table VI, or from Table VIa when the examiner certifies that a speech test is not appropriate. Table VII turns the two numerals into a percent. 38 CFR 4.86 can change the numeral when every listed frequency is 55 dB or more, or when 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less and 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more. The tables on this page are the published grid. They are not your exam and not your rating.
Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Hearing loss (DC 6100)?
38 CFR § 4.85 lists 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% for diagnostic code 6100. VA decides which line fits from the evidence.
Where do these words come from?
They are quoted from the public text of 38 CFR § 4.85. The official page is linked on this page so you can check every word.
Does this page tell me what my rating will be?
No. It shows what the published rule book says. It does not predict a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount, and it does not say you have this condition.
Who can file a VA claim for me for free?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can prepare and file a claim with you at no cost. VA lists accredited representatives on VA.gov.
How does hearing loss (DC 6100) get a percent?
Diagnostic code 6100 does not list symptoms. 38 CFR 4.85 uses a hearing exam: a Maryland CNC speech test and a puretone test, without hearing aids. Each ear gets a Roman numeral from Table VI, or from Table VIa when the examiner certifies that a speech test is not appropriate. Table VII turns the two numerals into a percent. 38 CFR 4.86 can change the numeral when every listed frequency is 55 dB or more, or when 1000 Hz is 30 dB or less and 2000 Hz is 70 dB or more. The tables on this page are the published grid. They are not your exam and not your rating.
This page quotes the public VA rule book. We do not say you have this condition.
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