Claim Raven explanation
What this means
Hearing-loss evaluations use specified audiological testing and the rating tables in this section. The tables translate the relevant speech-discrimination and puretone-threshold findings into levels of hearing impairment and an evaluation.
The test requirements matter, including the prescribed speech test and qualifications of the examiner. Hearing-aid use or a general description of hearing difficulty does not replace the measurements required by the rule.
How this helps your claim
This helps you understand how VA moved from an audiogram to a percentage. The original publisher tables are included as images where the source supplies them that way.
What to check in your records
Use your decision, examination reports, and relevant records to check the following points.
- Find the required frequency thresholds and speech-discrimination results for each ear.
- Check the testing method and examiner information in the report.
- Compare the table calculation and whether the exceptional-pattern rule applies.
Check the inputs before using the hearing tables
The hearing calculation requires the specified pure-tone and speech-discrimination findings. Keep the values for each ear distinct and confirm the test method identified in the report. An audiogram prepared for treatment may not contain every element required for VA's evaluation method.
The tables provide a structured calculation once the proper inputs are established. Daily communication difficulties remain important to describe, but they should not be converted into an invented speech score. If the calculated result seems wrong, compare the actual numbers and table selections used in the decision.
Does wearing hearing aids automatically establish a higher rating?
No. Hearing-aid use is not a replacement for the prescribed measurements and table calculation. The evaluation depends on the applicable testing rules and results. A veteran can have meaningful communication difficulty even when those tables produce a low or noncompensable evaluation.
Official regulatory text
38 CFR § 4.85
eCFR snapshot: September 3, 2026. Layout and spacing are adapted for reading. The full section and its tables are included below.
§ 4.85 Evaluation of hearing impairment.
(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.
[64 FR 25206, May 11, 1999]
Original official figures and tables
These images are part of the official section. Open an original to inspect it at full size.
Related references
- 38 CFR § 4.86: Exceptional hearing-loss patterns in VA ratings
- 38 CFR § 3.383: Paired Organs and Service-Connected Disability
- 38 CFR § 3.350: Special Monthly Compensation Levels Explained
- 38 CFR § 4.1: What a VA disability rating measures
- 38 CFR § 3.159: VA duty to assist: records and examinations
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