Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151:reg:85:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 85 (pt 1/3)
Character Range: 305740–309245

85                           12.5       3.9         2.1        0.7
above 85                     12.5       3.9         2.1        0.7

This is a table for making age adjustment

(The adjustments for presbyacusis in Table 7.1.9 have been modified from the adjustments provided by the National Acoustic Laboratories.)

"Age" means the veteran's age in completed years at the date of the audiogram.

The "Bilateral" column applies if there is accepted hearing loss in both ears.

The "Unilateral" column applies if there is accepted hearing loss in only one ear.

Step 5: Determine the impairment rating for the accepted hearing loss using formula 7.1.

Formula 7.1— Loss of function: Hearing

Results from Formula 7.1 are to be rounded to the nearest integer (whole number). Thus 2.4 would be rounded to 2, and 2.6 would be rounded to 3. If the calculation gives an answer exactly half way between two integers, the answer is rounded up, for example 2.5 is to be rounded to 3.

If the paired organs policy (see page 123) does not apply, Formula 7.1 gives the final impairment rating for loss of hearing. To determine whether the paired organs policy applies, proceed to Step 6.

Step 6. Determine if the paired organs policy applies. If it applies, calculate the adjusted impairment rating.

Use Table 7.1.10 to determine if the paired organs policy applies.

Procedural Table 7.1.10
PAIRED ORGANS POLICY
Accepted Hearing Loss    Does the Paired Organs Policy apply?
Type 1                   Bilateral mixed deafness                                         No
Type 2                   Right mixed deafness                                             Yes
Type 3                   Left mixed deafness                                              Yes
Type 4                   Bilateral sensorineural deafness                                 No
Type 5                   Bilateral sensorineural deafness with right conductive deafness  No
Type 6                   Bilateral sensorineural deafness with left conductive deafness   No
Type 7                   Bilateral conductive deafness                                    No
Type 8                   Bilateral conductive deafness with right sensorineural deafness  No
Type 9                   Bilateral conductive deafness with left sensorineural deafness   No
Type 10                  Left conductive deafness with right sensorineural deafness       No
Type 11                  Right conductive deafness with left sensorineural deafness       No
Type 12                  Right conductive deafness                                        Yes
Type 13                  Right sensorineural deafness                                     Yes
Type 14                  Left sensorineural deafness                                      Yes
Type 15                  Left conductive deafness                                         Yes

No age adjustment permitted for this table

The paired organs policy is to be applied by doubling the impairment rating for the age-adjusted PLH for the accepted hearing loss and comparing that with the impairment rating equivalent to the total bilateral hearing loss. The lesser of the two is to be taken as the impairment rating (adjusted for the paired organs policy) for the accepted hearing loss.

The paired organs policy is the subject of Chapter 21.

TINNITUS

Tinnitus is to be assessed if:
    tinnitus is an accepted condition in its own right; or
    tinnitus is present and any of the fifteen types of