Free calculator
VA hearing loss rating calculator
VA rates hearing loss mechanically from your audiogram. Enter the results from your VA exam to see how the rating tables in 38 CFR 4.85 apply.
Enter the four thresholds and the speech score for each ear from your audiogram (the VA exam report lists them).
How VA calculates it
- Average the thresholds at 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz for each ear.
- Find each ear's level (I–XI) in Table VI from that average and the speech score, or in Table VIa from the average alone when a speech test isn't appropriate.
- Look up the percentage in Table VII using the better and poorer ear.
- Two exceptional patterns in 38 CFR 4.86 can give a higher level: all four thresholds at 55 dB or more, or 30 dB or less at 1000 Hz with 70 dB or more at 2000 Hz.
Good to know
- Many veterans with real hearing problems are rated 0%. A 0% rating still makes hearing aids available through VA and counts if hearing worsens.
- Tinnitus is rated separately (10%, DC 6260).
- If only one ear is service connected, the other ear counts as level I unless 38 CFR 3.383 applies.
- This is an estimate from the numbers you enter, not a VA decision.
Source: 38 CFR 4.85 and 4.86 (Tables VI, VIa and VII). General information, not legal advice.