Hearing Loss & Tinnitus Combined Acoustic Impact Engine | 38 CFR § 4.85

38 CFR § 4.85 & § 4.87 STATUTORY ENGINE

Acoustic Rating Simulator (Hearing Loss & Tinnitus)

Input your official C&P audiogram pure tone thresholds (dB HL) and Maryland CNC speech discrimination scores. Computes Table VI designations, Table VII bilateral grids, and Fast Letter 10-35 noise exposure risk.

Left Ear (AS) Audiogram

PTA: 44 dBLevel II

1000 Hz (dB HL)

2000 Hz (dB HL)

3000 Hz (dB HL)

4000 Hz (dB HL)

Maryland CNC Speech Score (%)88%

Speech test not used / inappropriate (Table VIA)

Right Ear (AD) Audiogram

PTA: 39 dBLevel I

1000 Hz (dB HL)

2000 Hz (dB HL)

3000 Hz (dB HL)

4000 Hz (dB HL)

Maryland CNC Speech Score (%)92%

Speech test not used / inappropriate (Table VIA)

Co-Occurring Tinnitus (DC 6260)

Under 38 CFR § 4.87, recurrent tinnitus is rated as a single 10% disability regardless of whether one or both ears ring.

Yes, I experience recurrent ear ringing / buzzingApplies 10% evaluation combined via 38 CFR § 4.25 VA Math.

Fast Letter 10-35 MOS Noise Risk

HIGH PROBABILITY

VA concedes acoustic trauma without extra proof when military occupation code carries a HIGH hazard rating.

Select Specialty / MOS Code:

Small arms and blast concussive exposure conceded.

STATUTORY COMPUTATION SUMMARY

Acoustic Rating: 10% Combined

Table VII Hearing Loss0% (DC 6100)

Tinnitus10% (DC 6260)

BETTER EAR (TABLE VII HORIZONTAL)Level IRight Ear

POORER EAR (TABLE VII VERTICAL)Level IILeft Ear

VA MATH COMBINATION0% + 10% → 10%38 CFR § 4.25 Whole Person Method

Understanding the 38 CFR § 4.85 “Better Ear Bias”:

Under Table VII, the ear with better hearing carries dominant weight. Notice that if one ear is Level IX (profound loss) but the other ear is Level I or II (near normal), the resulting rating is often 0% or 10%. This is why claiming co-occurring Tinnitus (DC 6260) is essential for veterans with acoustic damage.

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