Why VA Hearing Loss Claims Are Not Rated Very Often

Hearing loss is one of the most common service-related conditions among Veterans, particularly those exposed to loud machinery, weapons, aircraft, or combat noise. Yet many Veterans are surprised to learn that VA disability ratings for hearing loss are granted far less frequently than for other conditions.

Understanding the specific criteria the VA uses to evaluate hearing impairment can help you navigate your claims more effectively, manage expectations, and determine the best strategy for your family outcome.

Aa team of Veterans serving Veterans, at Berry Law we understand the frustration of receiving a rating that does not reflect what you live with daily. If your initial claim was denied or underrated, you do not have to settle for the wrong answer.

How the VA Evaluates Hearing Loss

The VA uses the Schedule for Rating Disabilities (38 CFR § 4.85) to evaluate hearing loss. Ratings are based primarily on two components from a controlled audiological evaluation: pure tone audiometry thresholds and speech discrimination scores.

Pure Tone Audiometry Thresholds

Pure tone audiometry thresholds measure how well each ear detects sounds across low, medium, and high pitches. These thresholds represent the softest sounds (in decibels) you can hear at each frequency and are recorded on an audiogram, which visually shows which pitches you can and cannot hear. Importantly, these results provide the objective basis for VA hearing loss ratings, rather than reflecting how much your hearing feels impaired in everyday life.

Speech Discrimination Scores

Speech discrimination scores measure how well you can understand words when someone speaks to you, not just whether you can hear a sound. During testing, the examiner plays a list of words and you repeat what you hear, and the score reflects the percentage of words you correctly identify.

The VA uses this score along with pure tone audiometry thresholds to determine how hearing loss affects your ability to communicate. Even if you can hear a sound, a low speech discrimination score shows that you may struggle to understand speech, which can impact daily life and influence your disability rating.

Why Hearing Loss Claims Are Rarely Rated

There are a few key reasons why VA hearing loss claims often fail to result in a formal disability rating:

• Strict Audiometric Criteria: The VA requires hearing loss to meet specific numerical thresholds in both ears before a rating is assigned. Many Veterans have mild or moderate hearing loss that affects daily life but does not meet these exact standards. Even if tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is present—a condition commonly associated with hearing loss—a separate rating for hearing loss may not be granted unless the audiometric scores independently qualify.
• Focus on Objective Tests: VA raters rely primarily on objective test results, not subjective complaints. This means that a Veteran’s difficulty hearing in noisy environments may not be enough to earn a rating if audiometric testing shows thresholds below the required levels.
• Hearing Loss Is Often Mild or Asymmetrical: Mild hearing loss may simply not reach the VA’s rating thresholds. Hearing that is worse in one ear than the other (asymmetrical hearing loss) can also result in no rating if the combination does not meet the VA’s formula for impairment.
• Hearing Aids and Treatment Can Affect Claims: If hearing loss is corrected or partially improved with hearing aids, the VA may view the functional impact as reduced, making it less likely that a rating will be granted.

Tinnitus: Often a Companion Claim

Many Veterans with hearing loss also experience tinnitus, making it a key component of a comprehensive VA claim strategy. Because hearing loss alone is often difficult to rate under strict schedules, Veterans frequently explore separate claims for tinnitus.

Tinnitus is characterized by constant ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears. When established as service-connected, tinnitus is always rated at a flat 10%, even though it does not directly alter speech discrimination or pure tone audiometric test results. Ensuring that tinnitus is evaluated alongside hearing impairment is critical to establishing a baseline of support that your service already paid for. 

What Veterans Can Do to Improve Their Hearing Loss Claim

If you are preparing to address an underrated or denied claim, taking proactive steps can help clarify the true impact of your condition:

1. Get a Thorough Audiology Exam from a Civilian Provider

Ensure testing includes both pure tone thresholds and speech discrimination scores. Submit all past service and private audiology records to provide a complete view of your timeline.

2. Document Your Functional Impairment

Keep a record of how hearing loss affects your work performance, social interactions, and daily activities with your family. While VA ratings rely heavily on audiometric results, documenting this real-world impact provides critical context if an appeal or escalation is necessary.

Schedule a Free Strategy Call

Hearing loss is common among Veterans, but VA disability ratings for it can be difficult to obtain because of strict numerical requirements. If you are struggling with hearing loss or tinnitus, you do not have to carry the weight of an unresolved fight alone.

Every month without the right rating is a month your family goes without the security they deserve. Even if your hearing loss isn’t rated on its own, a companion tinnitus claim or secondary claims related to other service-connected conditions can still provide valuable VA compensation.

Contact Berry Law today. Our team of VA-accredited attorneys will look at your specific situation to build a legal strategy designed to secure your rating and protect your family’s future.