What rates 0% for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100?

Under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100 (DC 6100), a 0% rating for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) requires: Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.

What rates 10% for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100?

Under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100 (DC 6100), a 10% rating for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) requires: Hearing loss with at least one ear at Level II-IV per Table VI or VII, resulting in a 10% rating per Table VII.

What rates 20% for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100?

Under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100 (DC 6100), a 20% rating for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) requires: Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 20% rating per Table VII combination.

What rates 30% for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100?

Under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100 (DC 6100), a 30% rating for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) requires: Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 30% rating per Table VII combination.

What happens during a C&P exam for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)?

Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) (DC 6100) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% under 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100. Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 610038 C.F.R. § 4.85

Diagnostic Code

DC 6100

38 C.F.R. § 4.85

Rating Range

0–30%

4 severity tiers

Source

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6100 of 38 CFR § 4.85, DC 6100 across 4 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 30%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Gradual, progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss associated with aging, primarily affecting high frequencies. In veterans, may be difficult to distinguish from noise-induced hearing loss and is often rated in combination.

Rating Criteria

Hearing loss present but puretone thresholds and speech recognition scores result in Level I designation bilaterally under Table VI.

10%

Hearing loss with at least one ear at Level II-IV per Table VI or VII, resulting in a 10% rating per Table VII.

20%

Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 20% rating per Table VII combination.

30%

Hearing loss with audiometric results producing a 30% rating per Table VII combination.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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