Hearing loss VA Rating
How VA rates Hearing loss under diagnostic code 6100, what evidence decides the percentage, and the reasons these claims get denied or under-rated.
Hearing loss is rated under diagnostic code 6100. In the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities it appears as Hearing impairment, within the Auditory Acuity section of 38 CFR Part 4.
The essentials
| Diagnostic code | 6100 |
|---|---|
| Rating schedule name | Hearing impairment |
| Body system | Auditory Acuity |
| Examination form | AUDIO Hearing loss & tinnitus |
Other names for this condition
VA and treating providers may use different terms for the same condition. If your records use any of these, they may still support a claim for Hearing loss:
- Deaf
- deafness
- hard of hearing
- defective hearing
What evidence decides the rating
For auditory acuity conditions, these are the findings VA weighs when assigning a percentage. If your examination did not address them, the examination may be inadequate for rating purposes — which is itself an argument on appeal.
- A controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) and a puretone audiometry test, performed by a state-licensed audiologist
- Puretone threshold averages at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz
- For tinnitus: the veteran's own report is competent evidence — it is inherently subjective
Why these claims get denied or under-rated
These are the failure patterns we see most often on hearing loss and related auditory acuity claims:
- Hearing loss denied because audiometry at separation was within normal limits — Hensley v. Brown holds that normal hearing at separation does not bar service connection
- The audiologist used the wrong speech discrimination test, making the examination inadequate
Secondary service connection
Under 38 CFR §3.310, a condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition is itself service-connected. Secondary claims are where most veterans are leaving compensation on the table — and where most denials turn on the nexus opinion rather than the diagnosis.
Hearing loss is commonly claimed secondary to
- In-service noise exposure
- Ototoxic medication
- Meniere's syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
Hearing loss commonly causes or aggravates
- Tinnitus
- Depression and social isolation
If you are already service-connected for hearing loss and any of these apply to you, they may be claimable as secondary conditions.
If your claim was denied or under-rated
A denial is not the end of the claim. Which route is right depends on why VA decided the way it did:
- Higher-Level Review — when the evidence already in the file supports a grant and VA got the decision wrong, or the examination was inadequate.
- Supplemental Claim — when you have new and relevant evidence, such as a private nexus opinion.
- Board Appeal — when you need a Veterans Law Judge to decide, or want a hearing.
- Clear and Unmistakable Error — when a decision more than a year old contains an undebatable error, which can recover retroactive pay.
Effective dates matter as much as the percentage. See effective dates and back pay for how far back an award can reach.
Sources
Related conditions
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This page is educational information, not legal advice. VA rules and deadlines change — always confirm details with the official source (38 CFR, M21-1) or your accredited claims agent. Borne Accredited Claims is an accredited VA claims agent under 38 CFR §14.629 and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not guarantee any specific outcome.