Hearing loss is one of the most common service-connected disabilities among veterans, affecting an estimated 2.7 million veterans who receive VA compensation. Despite that, many veterans are rated at 0 percent, not because their hearing is fine, but because the VA uses a strict mechanical formula that most people have never seen before filing a claim.
This guide explains how the VA rates hearing loss under Diagnostic Code 6100, what the 2026 pay tables look like, how to establish service connection, and what steps you can take to strengthen your claim.
How the VA Rates Hearing Loss
The VA rates hearing loss under 38 CFR Part 4, Schedule for Rating Disabilities, Diagnostic Code (DC) 6100. The rating is determined almost entirely by audiometric testing, not by how you describe your symptoms.
The process has three steps:
- You undergo a VA Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam that includes a controlled speech discrimination test (Maryland CNC) and a puretone audiometry test, both conducted without hearing aids.
- Each ear is assigned a Roman numeral from I (least impaired) to XI (most impaired) using Table VI or Table VIa in 38 CFR 4.85.
- The two Roman numeral values are cross-referenced in Table VII to produce your final percentage rating.
Ratings are assigned for both ears combined, not separately. Only one rating is issued for the pair.
Table VI: Speech Discrimination and Puretone Average
Table VI uses two inputs: your speech recognition score (percentage of words repeated correctly) and your puretone threshold average (the average hearing threshold at 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz).
| Roman Numeral | Speech Recognition Score | Puretone Average (dB) |
|---|
| I | 92 to 100% | Up to 28 dB |
| II | 84 to 91% | 29 to 38 dB |
| III | 76 to 83% | 39 to 46 dB |
| IV | 68 to 75% | 47 to 56 dB |
| V | 60 to 67% | 57 to 62 dB |
| VI | 52 to 59% | 63 to 70 dB |
| VII | 44 to 51% | 71 to 78 dB |
| VIII | 36 to 43% | 79 to 88 dB |
| IX | 28 to 35% | 89 to 98 dB |
| X | 20 to 27% | 99 dB or more |
| XI | 0 to 19% | Any level / total deafness |
When there is a conflict between the speech score and the puretone average, the VA uses whichever Roman numeral is higher (that is, more impaired).
Table VIa: Puretone Only
The VA uses Table VIa instead of Table VI in specific situations: when speech testing is not appropriate due to language barriers or inconsistent scores, when your puretone threshold is 55 dB or more at each of the four frequencies, or when your threshold is 30 dB or less at 1000 Hz and 70 dB or more at 2000 Hz.
Table VII: Combined Rating for Both Ears
Once you have a Roman numeral for each ear, you look up the intersection in Table VII. The better ear runs across the top; the worse ear runs down the side.
| Better Ear | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI |
|---|
| I | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 20% |
| II | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 30% | 30% |
| III | 0% | 0% | 0% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 40% | 50% |
| IV | 0% | 0% | 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 50% | 60% |
| V | 0% | 0% | 10% | 20% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 60% | 70% |
| VI | 0% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 70% | 80% |
Note: This is an abbreviated version of Table VII. Ratings continue up to 100% (Roman numeral XI in both ears). The full table appears in 38 CFR 4.85.
2026 VA Disability Pay Rates for Hearing Loss
Current compensation rates are effective December 1, 2025, and carry through 2026. These figures are for a veteran with no dependents.
| Rating | Monthly Payment (No Dependents) |
|---|
| 0% | $0 (non-compensable) |
| 10% | $180.42 |
| 20% | $356.66 |
| 30% | $552.47 |
| 40% | $795.84 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 |
Veterans rated at 30% or higher receive additional monthly compensation for dependents, such as a spouse, children, or dependent parents. At 10% or 20%, the rate does not increase with dependents.
Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K)
If you have hearing loss rated at any level and also have tinnitus rated at 10% or higher, you may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation Level K, currently worth approximately $132.47 per month in addition to your base rate. Tinnitus is rated under DC 6260 and is almost always rated at 10%, so many veterans with both conditions receive this add-on.
Establishing Service Connection
To qualify for VA disability compensation for hearing loss, you must establish three things:
- A current diagnosis of hearing loss (confirmed by audiogram)
- An in-service event or exposure that could have caused it (noise exposure, blast injury, etc.)
- A medical nexus connecting your current condition to that in-service event
The Duty MOS Noise Exposure Listing
The VA maintains an official list of military occupational specialties (MOS) categorized by probability of hazardous noise exposure: high, moderate, or low. If your MOS falls into the high or moderate category, the VA concedes that hazardous noise exposure occurred during service without requiring you to prove a specific incident.
Common high-exposure occupations include:
- Infantry and combat arms (11 series, 0300 series)
- Artillery and armor (13 series, 19 series)
- Aviation mechanics and pilots
- Ship deck and engineering personnel
- Military police who qualify on the range regularly
If your MOS is not listed as high or moderate, you can still document exposure through service records, buddy statements from fellow service members, or unit history showing deployment to combat zones.
Nexus Letter
A nexus letter from a licensed audiologist or physician states that your hearing loss is "at least as likely as not" caused by or related to your military service. This is the standard the VA uses, and it is a lower bar than "more likely than not." Many veterans improve their claims by getting an independent nexus letter rather than relying solely on the VA examiner's opinion.
Minimum Threshold to Qualify
Not every degree of measured hearing loss qualifies for even a 0% rating under DC 6100. To be service-connected, your audiogram must show at least one of the following:
- Auditory threshold of 40 dB or greater at any frequency (500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hz)
- Auditory thresholds of 26 dB or greater at three or more of those frequencies
- Speech recognition score below 94%
Hearing that does not meet any of these thresholds cannot be rated under DC 6100, even if you notice difficulty hearing in daily life.
Why So Many Veterans Are Rated at 0%
A 0% service-connected rating is not meaningless. It establishes that your hearing loss is connected to military service, which matters in several ways:
- Future worsening can be rated higher without having to re-prove service connection
- It qualifies you for VA health care related to the condition
- It counts toward certain total disability determinations
- It can lead to SMC-K if combined with a compensable tinnitus rating
Veterans often receive 0% because one or both ears fall at Roman numeral I or II, which yields 0% in Table VII even when combined. If both ears have deteriorated over time, a re-examination can push the rating higher.
How to Apply for VA Hearing Loss Benefits
Step 1: Get a private audiogram
Before filing, see an audiologist and obtain a copy of your audiogram showing puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores. This gives you a baseline and helps you understand what rating to expect before the C&P exam.
Step 2: Gather service documentation
Pull your service medical records through the National Archives (for older veterans) or through your branch's records system. Look for any documented hearing tests at entry or separation, any noise exposure records, and any medical complaints about hearing during service.
Step 3: File VA Form 21-526EZ
You can file online at VA.gov, in person at a VA Regional Office, or through a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative. VSOs like the DAV, VFW, and American Legion provide free claims assistance. Submit your form with your audiogram and any service records or buddy statements you have.
Step 4: Attend your C&P exam
The VA will schedule a Compensation and Pension examination. Show up on time. Do not wear hearing aids during the audiogram portion, as testing is required without them. Answer questions honestly about how your hearing affects daily activities.
Step 5: Review your rating decision
After the exam, the VA issues a Rating Decision. If you disagree with the percentage assigned, you have one year to file a Supplemental Claim, request a Higher-Level Review, or appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. Attach additional evidence, such as an independent nexus letter or a private audiogram, to a Supplemental Claim.
Combining Hearing Loss with Other Ratings
VA uses the "whole person" combined ratings table when you have multiple service-connected conditions. Two conditions do not add mathematically. A 10% hearing loss rating and a 10% tinnitus rating combine to approximately 19%, not 20%, because each rating applies to the remaining percentage of ability rather than the original 100%.
Use the VA's combined ratings calculator on VA.gov to estimate your overall combined disability percentage before and after adding hearing loss.
Check Your Eligibility for Other Benefits
Veterans with service-connected hearing loss may also qualify for other programs depending on income, family size, and total disability rating. Use our free screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check eligibility for SNAP, Medicaid, and other federal assistance programs alongside your VA benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rating do most veterans get for hearing loss?
Most veterans receive a 0% (non-compensable) rating. This happens because the puretone averages and speech scores for one or both ears fall at Roman numeral I or II in the VA's tables, and any combination of I or II in Table VII produces 0%. Service connection at 0% is still meaningful because it preserves your ability to claim increases later.
Can I get a higher rating if my hearing gets worse?
Yes. You can file for an increased rating at any time if your condition has worsened. The VA will schedule a new C&P exam and re-run the audiometric testing. There is no limit to how many times you can file for an increase.
Does VA rate each ear separately?
No. The VA issues one combined rating for both ears using Table VII. The better ear and worse ear are cross-referenced to produce a single percentage.
Can I receive compensation for hearing loss and tinnitus at the same time?
Yes. Hearing loss (DC 6100) and tinnitus (DC 6260) are separate diagnostic codes and are rated independently. Tinnitus is almost always rated at 10%. The two ratings then combine through the VA's combined ratings formula. If you have both, you may also qualify for SMC-K.
What is the effective date for my hearing loss claim?
The effective date is generally the date the VA receives your claim. This is why filing as soon as possible after leaving service is important. If you file within one year of your discharge date, the effective date may go back to the day after separation.
Do I need a lawyer to file a VA hearing loss claim?
No. Many veterans successfully file and win hearing loss claims without an attorney, especially when using a VSO. A lawyer or accredited claims agent can be helpful if you are appealing a denial or seeking a higher rating, but representation is not required at the initial application stage.
What if the VA examiner says my hearing loss is not related to service?
You can challenge that opinion. File a Supplemental Claim with a private nexus letter from a qualified audiologist or physician. The standard is "at least as likely as not," and an independent medical opinion that meets that standard is new and relevant evidence the VA must consider.
How long does a VA hearing loss claim take?
Processing times vary. As of 2025-2026, the VA reports average processing times of 100 to 150 days for initial claims, though complex cases or those requiring additional development can take longer. Filing online and submitting all supporting evidence upfront generally speeds up the process.
