Rating Schedule for the Eye


For the various eye problems you may be having.


Visual Impairment Rating System

If you thought the Hearing rating system was complicated... buckle in tight. This is undoubtedly the most complicated system devised to rate a condition.

There are three different ways to rate visual impairment:

  1. Central Visual Acuity

  2. Visual Field

  3. Muscle Dysfunction

And since we know Veterans can be impaired in more than one measure:

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If an eye has a condition that affects muscle dysfunction and central visual acuity or visual field. The Veteran will NOT get a separate rating for muscle dysfunction. Instead, the Veteran's visual rating(s) could be increased.

  • If only one eye is affected and the other eye is VA normal (at least 20/40 corrected vision), then the combined rating of both visual acuity and visual field (including any increase from muscle function) the visual impairment rating for the eye CANNOT be higher than 30%! This does NOT include other possible eye condition ratings.

  • If only one eye is service-connected for visual impairment. The other eye for rating purposes is considered to be at 20/40.

    • UNLESS, the service-connected AND non-service-connected eye has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less; OR the peripheral field of vision for each eye is 20 degrees or less. Then the non-service connected eye WILL be considered service-connected for rating purposes.

Impairment of Central Visual Acuity

How focused or blurry something is when looking straight at it 'central vision'.

This is your typical vision test. It runs on the familiar 20/20 scale. So the worse the vision is, the smaller the number. e.g. 20/100 (0.2) is worse than 20/50 (0.4).

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Your rating is based upon CORRECTED DISTANCE VISION. So if your distance vision is more or less good in both eyes with glasses... well enjoy your low rating.

  • Again, for the purposes of the VA, normal vision is 20/40. If you only have one eye examined and not the other. The rater is instructed to assume that eye is normal. Barring of course a note stating the Veteran is missing said eye.

Impairment of Central Visual Acuity Rating Table


Best Eye → 20/40 20/50 20/70 20/100 20/200 15/200 10/200 5/200
Worst Eye ↓
20/40 0%
20/50 10% 10%
20/70 10% 20% 30%
20/100 10% 20% 30% 50%
20/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70%*
15/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70%* 80%*
10/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%* 80%* 90%*
5/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%* 80%* 90%* 100%* ***
Blind** *** 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%* 80%* 90%* 100%*
Eye Removed*** 40% 50% 60% 60% 70%* 80%* 90%* 100%*

*Veteran is entitled to Specially Adapted Housing (SAH).

**No more than light perception.

***Veteran is entitled to Special Monthly Compensation.

SPECIAL NOTES:

  • In the event the Veteran's corrected distance and near vision are two or more steps (e.g. 20/40 distance and 20/70 near) different FOR THE SAME EYE. The Veteran's corrected distance vision will be rated as one step worse (e.g. 20/50, in our example).

  • Eye prescriptions are measured in diopters. They can be a negative or positive number, depending how your vision is being corrected. If the difference in diopter numbers between both eyes are greater than three (e.g. -5.0 to get a corrected vision of 20/40 and -1.5 to get a corrected vision of 20/20). The WORST EYE can be rated based upon the uncorrected vision!

    • This can ONLY be applied if BOTH eyes are service-connected for visual impairment!

  • In the event one service connected eye has been removed and an artificial one (prosthesis) CANNOT be used. The Veteran's rating will be increased by 10% (real math, not VA math). Though, the rating cannot exceed 100%.

    • This is permitted in conjunction with a rating for Disfigurement. However the disfigurement rating can then NOT be based upon gross distortion or asymmetry of the eye. But it still CAN be rated based on other characteristics of disfigurement.

Impairment of Visual Field

How much your eye can see overall. When you look forward, the things you see outside your immediate area of focus. Like those shadows I see at night... the ones just out of the corner of my eyes.

Below is an example of a chart used to determine field of vision:


The chart contains concentric circles and 8 lines radiating from the center. Each line representing a direction within the field of vision (Up, down, temporal (away from the nose), nasally, and the directions in between those points).

The test itself involves lights that are moved closer and closer till the Veteran can see the a part of the ring in their vision. Depending how affected the Veteran's field of vision is. The resulting 'ring' of vision can be quite distorted.

  • For an example of how a rating for impairment of visual field is figured out from the chart click HERE.

6080 Ratings for Impairment of Visual Field

The Veteran can get a rating based upon ONE of the following:

  1. Losses of entire section(s) of vision (usually the result of Brain trauma); or

  2. Average concentric contraction

    • The schedule does NOT have considerations for Veterans who have eyes of differing averages outside the following listings. If such a situation occurs, the Veteran would have EACH eye rated separately; with each eye getting their own separate rating.

NOTE:

  • 6081 Scotoma has a MINIMUM rating of 10% (per eye) IF 1/4th of visual field (quadrantanopsia) is affected OR the blind spots are located within the 30° circle.

One Eye Rating Both Eyes Rating Description
Losses of Entire Halves of Field of Vision
10% 10% Loss of nasal half.
10% 10% Loss of top half.
10% 30% Loss of bottom half.
10% 30% Loss of temporal half.
N/A 30% Homonymous hemianopsia - Both the right or left halves are lost in both eyes.
Average Concentric Contraction
10% 10% 46-60°.
10% 30% 31-45°.
10% 50% 16-30°.
20% 70% 6-15°.
30% 100% Less than 6°

6090, 6092 Muscle Dysfunction AKA Double Vision (Diplopia)

When your eye muscles can't properly track and focus on objects. Resulting most commonly in double vision (diplopia)

Below is an example of a chart (colorized) used to determine muscle dysfunction:

Similar to the one used in the field of vision test. However, the key parts are the 4 quadrants (up, temporally, down, and nasally) and the semi circles within them.

The colors correspond to values in the below table:

Color Assigned Visual Acuity
Green 20/40
Blue 20/70
Purple 20/100
Yellow 20/200
Orange 15/200
Red 5/200
  • For an example of how a rating for muscle dysfunction is figured out from the chart click HERE.

Ratings for Muscle Dysfunction

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If double vision comes and goes OR is correctable with glasses a 0% rating is assigned.

  • The following ratings are for ONLY for those with just muscle dysfunction(s).

  • Only ONE rating can be given for muscle dysfunction, even if both eyes are impaired by muscle dysfunction (you get the worst of the 2).

Muscle Dysfunction Assigned Visual Acuity → 20/40 20/50 20/70 20/100 20/200 15/200 10/200 5/200
Ratings → 0% 10% 10% 10% 20% 20% 30% 30%

Muscle Dysfunction and Central Visual Acuity

When the Veteran has both muscle dysfunction and central visual acuity issues.

Go through the following steps:

  1. Figure out the Central visual acuity of BOTH eyes.

  2. Figure out the assigned visual acuity for Muscle dysfunction. Remember, only the most impacted eye gets an assigned visual acuity! Even if both eyes have dysfunction.

  3. Plug the assigned visual acuity you got from muscle dysfunction into the following table and note how many steps you get:

Assigned Visual Acuity Steps
20/40 or 20/50 None.
20/70 or 20/100 1.
20/200 or 15/200 2.
10/200 or 5/200 3.

4. This may sound odd, because... it is. But, no matter which eye was found to have the worse muscle dysfunction. Apply the number of steps you got from step 3 and apply it to the WORST eye's central acuity number. (i.e. if the worst eye had a central visual acuity of 20/50 and you got 2 steps. It would be stepped to 20/100.)

NOTE:

  • The step(s) cannot take a central visual acuity below 5/200.

5. Use the below table to determine your rating.

Rating Table for Muscle Dysfunction and Central Visual Acuity

Best Eye→ 20/40 20/50 20/70 20/100 20/200 15/200 10/200 5/200
Worse Eye ↓
20/40 0% 10% 10% 10% 20% 20% 30% 30%
20/50 10% 10% 20% 20% 30% 30% 40% 40%
20/70 10% 20% 30% 30% 40% 40% 50% 50%
20/100 10% 20% 30% 50% 60% 60% 60% 60%
20/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70% 70% 70% 70%
15/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70% 80% 80% 80%
10/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 90%
5/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Blind (no more than light perception) 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Eye Removed 40% 50% 60% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Muscle Dysfunction and Visual Field

When the Veteran has both muscle dysfunction and visual field issues.

Go through the following steps:

  1. Calculate impairment of visual field.

  2. Convert the impairment using the following table:


Visual Field Impairment Visual Acuity Equivalent
Loss of top half 20/50
Loss of nasal half 20/50
Loss of temporal half 20/70
Loss of bottom half 20/70
More than 61° 20/40
46-60° 20/50
31-45° 20/70
16-30° 20/100
6-15° 20/200
Less than 6° 5/200

3. Figure out the assigned visual acuity for Muscle dysfunction. Remember, only the most impacted eye gets an assigned visual acuity! Even if both eyes have dysfunction.

4. Plug the assigned visual acuity you got from muscle dysfunction into the following table and note how many steps you get:

Assigned Visual Acuity Steps
20/40 or 20/50 None.
20/70 or 20/100 1.
20/200 or 15/200 2.
10/200 or 5/200 3.

5. This may sound odd, because... it is. But, no matter which eye was found to have the worse muscle dysfunction. Apply the number of steps you got from step 3 and apply it to the WORST eye's central acuity number. (i.e. if the worst eye had a central visual acuity of 20/50 and you got 2 steps. It would be stepped to 20/100.)

NOTE:

  • The step(s) cannot take a central visual acuity below 5/200.

6. Use the below table to determine your rating:

Rating Table for Muscle Dysfunction and Visual Field

Best Eye→ 20/40 20/50 20/70 20/100 20/200 15/200 10/200 5/200
Worse Eye ↓
20/40 0% 10% 10% 10% 20% 20% 30% 30%
20/50 10% 10% 20% 20% 30% 30% 40% 40%
20/70 10% 20% 30% 30% 40% 40% 50% 50%
20/100 10% 20% 30% 50% 60% 60% 60% 60%
20/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70% 70% 70% 70%
15/200 20% 30% 40% 60% 70% 80% 80% 80%
10/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 90%
5/200 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Blind (no more than light perception) 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Eye Removed 40% 50% 60% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Muscle Dysfunction, Central Visual Acuity, AND Visual Field

If you got ALL THREE issues then your rater and I feel for you!

You will get whichever combination above generates the highest rating.

There is not some even more convoluted combined rating method thankfully!


Incapacitating Episodes

Just when you thought you we were done. There is one final thing to consider.

If the Veteran experiences incapacitating episodes they can be rated under this schedule instead of visual impairment. The Veteran will keep whichever method produces the highest rating.

Under this schedule incapacitating episodes are defined as:

  • The eye condition becomes so severe that you are required to go to a physician for treatment.

    • This does NOT have to be emergency care.

    • Just going to a physician for treatment itself is not good enough... You actually have to have a treatment preformed. So, if they refuse to treat you or you refuse treatment for whatever reason. That visit will not count as an incapacitating episode.

  • Treatments may include but are not limited to:

    • Immunosuppressant or biologic agents

    • Injections into the eye area

    • Laser treatments

    • Surgeries

Rating
Description
10% 1-2 episodes a year.
20% 3-4 episodes a year.
40% 5-6 episodes a year.
60% 7 or more episodes a year.

General Diseases of the Eye


Choroidopathy, Choroiditis, Iritis, Cyclitis, or Uveitis (Chorioretinitis)

6000 Choroidopathy - disease that causes fluid to build up under the retina.

6005 Choroiditis - inflammation of the layer of the eye behind the retina.

6004 Cyclitis - inflammation of the ciliary body.

6003 Iritis - inflammation of the colored part of your eye (iris).

Uveitis (Chorioretinitis) - inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.


6001 Keratopathy (Thygeson’s Superficial Punctate Keratopathy, TSPK)

Non-inflammatory disease of the cornea.


6002 Scleritis

Disease that causes the sclera to become severely inflamed and red.


6006 Retinopathy or Macular Degeneration (Maculopathy)

Macular degeneration - degeneration of the macula.

Retinopathy - damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye.


6007 Intraocular Hemorrhage

Bleeding in the eye that can be caused by injury or disease.


6008 Detachment of the Retina


6009 Unhealed Eye Injuries, Orbital Trauma (Injury to the Bone of the Eye Socket)


6010 Tuberculosis of the Eye

Rating
Description
?% Rated on any residuals.
100% While active and for 1 year after condition goes into remission and treatment stops.

Conjunctiva

The mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.


6017 Trachomatous Conjunctivitis (Trachoma)

Swelling of the conjunctiva due to a bacterial infection.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • To be ratable, the condition must be chronic in nature.

  • The rating for this condition is only in effect when the condition is active. If the condition is not active, then it is rated on any residuals.

  • Rated based on the Visual Impairment Rating System or on Incapacitating Episodes; whichever gives the highest rating.

Rating
Description
30% Minimum rating when condition is active.

6018 Other Conjunctivitis (Nontrachomatous)

Conjunctivitis caused by anything but bacteria. So your chemical agents, viruses, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • To be ratable, the condition must be chronic in nature.

  • The rating for this condition is only in effect when the condition is active. If the condition is not active, then it is rated on any residuals.

  • Rated based on the Visual Impairment Rating System or on Incapacitating Episodes; whichever gives the highest rating.


Rating
Description
10% Minimum rating when condition is active.

6091 Symblepharon

A partial or complete adhesion of the palpebral conjunctiva of the eyelid to the bulbar conjunctiva of the eyeball.

Cornea

The transparent part of the eye that covers the front portion of the eye.


6035 Conical Cornea (Keratoconus)

Condition in which the clear tissue on the front of the eye (cornea) bulges outward.

NOTE:


6036 Corneal Transplant (Status Post Corneal Transplant)

Rating
Description
10%
Minimum rating IF there is pain, sensitivity to light or glare.

Lens

Allows the eye to focus on objects at varying distances.


6027, 6028 Cataract/Cataract, Senile, and Others

Cloudy area in the lens of the eye that leads to a decrease in vision.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • If surgery was preformed to remove the cataract and there was NO replacement lens used. The Veteran will then be rated under the Aphakia schedule instead of this one.


6029, 6033 Aphakia or Dislocation of Crystalline Lens

Condition where there is no lens in the eye or the lens has been dislocated.

SPECIAL NOTE:

  • If the visual impairment is used, the affected eye's vision will be considered to be one step worse (e.g. if the visual acuity is 20/70, it would be raised to 20/100). The same idea applies with the visual field as well.

Rating
Description
30%
Minimum rating for 1 or both eyes.

Retina

The back of the eye.


6040 Diabetic Retinopathy

Damage to the retina caused by diabetes.


6042 Retinal Dystrophy (Including Retinitis Pigmentosa, Wet or Dry Macular Degeneration, Early-onset Macular Degeneration, Rod and/or Cone Dystrophy)

Degeneration of the retina over time.

NOTE:

  • The Veteran CAN get service-connection for Retinitis Pigmentosa if it is due to the Veteran's genetics. So long as the condition develops during service or if it existed pre-service but progressed abnormally fast.


6011 Any other Retina Conditions (Scars, Atrophy, etc.)

NOTES:

Rating
Description
10%
Irregular vision with double images, extra large images, extra small images or other vision irregularities.

Eyelids and Tears


6019 Drooping Eye (Ptosis)

Drooping of the upper or lower eyelid.

Alternatively, if vision is NOT affected it can be rated under Disfigurement.


6020 Ectropion

Condition in which your eyelid turns outward.

Rating Description
10% 1 eye.
20% Both eyes.

6021 Entropion

Condition in which your eyelid turns inward.

Rating Description
10% 1 eye.
20% Both eyes.

6022 Lagophthalmos

Condition in which your eyelid is unable to fully close.

Rating Description
10% 1 eye.
20% Both eyes.

6032 Loss of the Eyelids (Partial or Complete)


6025, 6031 Conditions that Affect Production of Tears (Disorders of the Lacrimal Apparatus (Epiphora, Dacryocystitis, etc.)

Usually resulting in dry eyes.

Rating Description
10% 1 eye.
20% Both eyes.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • If the Veteran only requires the use of non-prescription eye drops then a 0% rating is appropriate.

  • If the Veteran received elective eye surgery such as laser eye surgery (e.g., LASIK) while in service then the Veteran CANNOT get service-connection.

    • UNLESS, the cause of the dry eye can be linked to another condition/cause or dry eyes existed before the procedure.


Dry Eye Syndrome (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca)

Common causes of dry eye syndrome include:

Loss of Hair


6023 Loss of Eyebrows (Complete)

Rating
Description
10%
1 or both.

6024 Loss of Eyelashes (Complete)

Rating
Description
10%
1 or both.

Optic Nerve/Brain Conditions

Connects the eye to the brain.


6012 Angle-closure Glaucoma (or Closed-angle Glaucoma)

When the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris.

Rating
Description
10%
Minimum rating if continuous medication is required.

6013 Open-angle Glaucoma

The drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris remains open, but the trabecular meshwork is partially blocked.

Rating
Description
10%
Minimum rating if continuous medication is required.

6026 Optic Neuropathy

Damage to the optic nerve (not caused by glaucoma).


6016 Central Nystagmus

Causes the eyes to make repetitive, uncontrolled movements.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • If the condition is caused by a Mental or other medical condition it CANNOT be rated under this schedule.

Rating
Description
10% Current diagnosis.

6030 Paralysis of Accommodation (Due to Neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve (Cranial Nerve III))

Condition where the oculomotor nerve is damaged.


Rating
Description
20% Current diagnosis.

6046 Post-chiasmal Disorders

Any damage to the brain that affects the eyes. So things like TBI, brain infections, degeneration of the brain tissues, etc.

Cancer and Tumors

NOTE:

  • For cancers and tumors that affect the skin around the eyes click HERE.


6014 Cancer (Malignant Neoplasm)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Rating Description
?% Rated on any residuals such as Visual Impairment or on Incapacitating episodes; whichever gives the highest rating. Separate ratings for Disfigurement or other Secondary conditions may be granted if applicable.
100% While active AND treatment is required. After treatment ends, 100% continues for 6 months.

6015 Tumor (Benign Neoplasm)

Tumors in and of themselves are NOT compensational.

However, the Veteran can get a rating for how the tumor(s) affect the Veteran's vision or other Secondary conditions.


6034 Eye Web (Pterygium)

Growth of the conjunctiva or mucous membrane that covers the white part of your eye over the cornea.


6037 Pinguecula

Yellow growth that develops on the conjunctiva.

Congenital or Developmental Defects

Defects of form or structure of the eye that you are born with (congenital) or simply develop over time may NOT be service-connected via direct service-connection OR aggravation beyond natural progress during your service.

The fact you may have been prescribed glasses or given a stronger prescription is NOT, in itself, considered aggravation by service that would warrant service-connection.


Common Examples

Common examples are refractive errors such as:

  • Astigmatism (blurry or distorted vision);

  • Hyperopia (farsighted: cannot see close up);

  • Myopia (nearsighted: cannot see far); and

  • Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness).

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Exceptions:

    • Astigmatism caused by infection or surgery;

    • Cancers;

    • Lazy eye* (amblyopia);

    • Macular degeneration; and

    • Severe and sudden myopia, to the point vision can no longer be corrected, CAN be service-connected!

*Only if it was NOT a preexisting condition!

Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQs)

To get an idea of how a C&P exam will be conducted it is recommended that the Veteran look at the applicable DBQ.

Veteran's may ask an optometrist or ophthalmologist to complete a DBQ on their behalf to submit with their claim. For more information on DBQs click HERE.

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