United States · VA disability · 38 CFR 4.85 and 4.86

VA hearing loss rating: Tables VI and VII.

Tables VI, VIa and VII applied to the thresholds you enter.

Source: 38 CFR 4.85 (eCFR)Retrieved November 2, 2026Rating criteria as of October 29, 2026

Audiometry results

Result

The short version

VA rates hearing loss (DC 6100) in three steps: average the four puretone thresholds, look up a Roman numeral for each ear in Table VI (or VIa), then read the percentage where the two numerals meet in Table VII. The result runs from 0 to 100 percent. The thresholds and speech score come from an examination by a state-licensed audiologist using the Maryland CNC test and puretone audiometry, without hearing aids (38 CFR 4.85(a)).

Step 1: puretone threshold average

Add the thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz and divide by four (4.85(d)). Example, a calculation: 40 + 50 + 60 + 70 = 220, and 220 / 4 = 55 dB. The tables use whole-number bands, so this page rounds an average with a fraction to the nearest whole number (half up). That rounding is TNAADO's assumption, not text from the regulation.

Step 2: Table VI, Roman numeral for each ear

Find the speech discrimination band in the left column and the puretone average band across the top. Transcribed from the Federal Register image of Table VI.

Speech discrimination %	0-41 dB	42-49 dB	50-57 dB	58-65 dB	66-73 dB	74-81 dB	82-89 dB	90-97 dB	98+ dB
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, puretone average only

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

Table VIa is for use only as specified in 4.85 and 4.86 (table footnote).

Step 3: Table VII, percentage evaluation

Rows are the ear with better hearing; columns are the ear with poorer hearing (Table VII, diagnostic code 6100). Blank cells are combinations that cannot occur, because the poorer ear is never better than the better ear.

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	10	0	0	0
I	10	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

* Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350 (table footnote).

Exceptional patterns (38 CFR 4.86)

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.
4.86(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.

The calculator above applies both rules and caps an elevated numeral at XI, the top of the tables (TNAADO's reading, since the regulation shows no numeral above XI).

Worked example (a calculation)

Left ear thresholds 40, 50, 60 and 70 dB average 55 dB; speech discrimination 88 percent. Table VI, row 84-90 and column 50-57 gives II. Right ear 20, 20, 20 and 20 dB (average 20 dB) with 96 percent speech gives I. Table VII, better ear I and poorer ear II gives 0 percent. In Table VII, a better ear of I gives 10 percent only when the poorer ear is X or XI.

Limits

The tool needs the audiometry numbers from an examination that meets 4.85(a). Tinnitus, vestibular problems and other conditions are rated under other codes and combined; see DC 6204 on this site for the vestibular code. The tool does not decide special monthly compensation under 3.350 and does not apply 38 CFR 3.383.

Frequently asked questions

How does VA rate hearing loss?

Under 38 CFR 4.85, the examiner measures puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz and a Maryland CNC speech discrimination score. The puretone average and speech score give a Roman numeral (I to XI) for each ear in Table VI; Table VII turns the two numerals into a percentage.

How is the puretone threshold average calculated?

Section 4.85(d): the sum of the puretone thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hertz, divided by four.

When is Table VIa used instead of Table VI?

When the examiner certifies that speech discrimination is not appropriate because of language difficulties, inconsistent scores and similar reasons (4.85(c)), or when 4.86 exceptional patterns apply.

What are the exceptional patterns in 4.86?

If all four thresholds are 55 dB or more, the numeral is the higher of Table VI or VIa. If the threshold is 30 dB or less at 1000 Hz and 70 dB or more at 2000 Hz, take the higher of Table VI or VIa and then raise it to the next higher Roman numeral. Each ear is evaluated separately.

What if hearing loss is service-connected in only one ear?

The other ear is assigned Roman numeral I, subject to 38 CFR 3.383 (4.85(f)).

What does a result of 100 percent mean in Table VII?

It appears only where both ears are numeral XI. The table footnote says to review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350.

Is this a VA determination?

No. It applies the published tables to numbers you enter. VA decides the rating, the examination must meet the 4.85(a) requirements, and this page is not medical or claim advice.

Sources

Read directly from the primary sources below on November 2, 2026 (eCFR text current through October 29, 2026). Quotations are the regulation text; anything labelled as a reading or calculation is TNAADO's. The schedule is amended from time to time, so check the linked section for the latest text.

Reference, not a VA determination, medical advice or claim advice

Rating criteria summarized from 38 CFR 4.85 as of October 29, 2026 (eCFR). This page reproduces published criteria so you can read them; it does not tell you whether you qualify, what your rating should be, or how to file. VA decides the diagnosis, the code and the rating. It is not legal, financial or medical advice; an accredited representative (VSO, attorney or claims agent) can review your case.