Hearing loss is the #1 most claimed VA disability condition — more veterans are rated for it than any other condition. Yet many veterans receive lower ratings than their symptoms warrant because they don't understand how the VA's unusual Roman numeral rating system works. Here's the complete breakdown.
Hearing loss is rated under Diagnostic Code 6100. The VA uses a unique Roman numeral table (I through XI) rather than a straight percentage. Most veterans receive a 0–10% rating. Combined with tinnitus (rated separately at 10%), the combined rating is often 19% — rounded to 20%. Use our combined rating calculator to see your total.
How the VA Rates Hearing Loss — The Roman Numeral System
The VA rates hearing loss using two audiometric tests: the Maryland CNC word recognition score (how well you understand speech) and the puretone threshold average (how loud sounds need to be for you to hear them). These two scores are combined in a table to produce a Roman numeral designation from I (least severe) to XI (most severe). That Roman numeral is then converted to a disability percentage.
| Roman Numeral | Disability Rating | Monthly Pay (Alone, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| I | 0% | $0 (establishes service connection) |
| II | 0% | $0 |
| III | 10% | $175.51 |
| IV | 10% | $175.51 |
| V | 10% | $175.51 |
| VI | 20% | $346.95 |
| VII | 30% | $524.31 |
| VIII | 40% | $673.28 |
| IX | 50% | $1,075.16 |
| X | 60% | $1,361.88 |
| XI | 80–100% | $1,995.01+ |
The Audiogram — What Happens at Your C&P Exam
Your C&P exam for hearing loss includes two key tests performed by a VA audiologist:
- Puretone threshold test — You listen through headphones and indicate when you hear tones at various frequencies. The results measure how loud sounds need to be for you to detect them in each ear.
- Maryland CNC word recognition test — You listen to recorded words and repeat them back. This measures how well you can understand speech even when you can hear sounds adequately.
Important: The VA only tests your better ear for most rating purposes. If one ear is significantly worse, it matters — but the rating is based on the combination score, not just the worst ear.
Hearing Loss + Tinnitus — Claim Both
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is rated separately from hearing loss and almost always co-occurs. Veterans with hearing loss should always file for tinnitus simultaneously. A 10% tinnitus rating combined with even a 0% hearing loss establishes two conditions that can contribute to a higher combined rating. See our complete tinnitus guide for the full rating process.
Service Connection — Noise Exposure
The most common basis for service-connecting hearing loss is noise exposure — weapons fire, aircraft, machinery, or other loud environments during service. You don't need a specific documented incident. A Statement of Service confirming your MOS or rate involved noise exposure, combined with a current diagnosis of hearing loss and a nexus letter, is typically sufficient.
See our nexus letter guide for how to get proper documentation linking your current hearing loss to your service noise exposure.
Tips to Maximize Your Hearing Loss Rating
- Test without hearing aids — C&P exams should be conducted without hearing aids in. If the examiner tests you with aids, note this and request a retest without them.
- Be honest about your worst days — Don't try to "pass" the hearing test. Report accurately how difficult hearing is in your daily life.
- Claim all secondary effects — Hearing loss causes social isolation, depression, and communication difficulties. These secondary mental health effects can be rated separately.
- File for both ears separately — If one ear is significantly worse, document the asymmetry clearly.
Calculate Your Hearing Loss + Tinnitus Combined Rating
Use our free combined rating calculator to see your total rating with both conditions.
Combined Rating Calculator →