Code of Federal Regulations (alpha)

CFR /  Title 38  /  Part 4  /  Sec. 4.79 Schedule of ratings--eye.

Diseases of the Eye------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rating------------------------------------------------------------------------6000 Choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, and

choroiditis.6001 Keratopathy.6002 Scleritis.6006 Retinopathy or maculopathy.6007 Intraocular hemorrhage.6008 Detachment of retina.6009 Unhealed eye injury.------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Rating Formula for Diagnostic Codes 6000 through 6009------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to

the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes,

whichever results in a higher evaluation.

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 60

at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months..............

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 40

at least 4 weeks, but less than 6 weeks, during the past

12 months...............................................

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 20

at least 2 weeks, but less than 4 weeks, during the past

12 months...............................................

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 10

at least 1 week, but less than 2 weeks, during the past

12 months...............................................Note: For VA purposes, an incapacitating episode is a period

of acute symptoms severe enough to require prescribed bed

rest and treatment by a physician or other healthcare

provider.6010 Tuberculosis of eye:

Active................................................... 100

Inactive: Evaluate under Sec. 4.88c or Sec. 4.89 of

this part, whichever is appropriate.6011 Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities:

Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the 10

retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally

located and that result in an irregular, duplicated,

enlarged, or diminished image...........................

Alternatively, evaluate based on visual impairment due to

retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities, if this would

result in a higher evaluation.6012 Angle-closure glaucoma:

Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to

angle-closure glaucoma or incapacitating episodes,

whichever results in a higher evaluation.

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 60

at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months..............

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 40

at least 4 weeks, but less than 6 weeks, during the past

12 months...............................................

With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of 20

at least 2 weeks, but less than 4 weeks, during the past

12 months...............................................

Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required.. 10Note: For VA purposes, an incapacitating episode is a period

of acute symptoms severe enough to require prescribed bed

rest and treatment by a physician or other healthcare

provider.6013 Open-angle glaucoma:

Evaluate based on visual impairment due to open-angle

glaucoma.

Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required.. 106014 Malignant neoplasms (eyeball only):

Malignant neoplasm of the eyeball that requires therapy 100

that is comparable to that used for systemic

malignancies, i.e., systemic chemotherapy, X-ray therapy

more extensive than to the area of the eye, or surgery

more extensive than enucleation.........................Note: Continue the 100-percent rating beyond the cessation of

any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other

therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of

such treatment, the appropriate disability rating will be

determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in

evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination

will be subject to the provisions of Sec. 3.105(e) of this

chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or

metastasis, evaluate based on residuals.

Malignant neoplasm of the eyeball that does not require

therapy comparable to that for systemic malignancies:

Separately evaluate visual impairment and nonvisual

impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800),

and combine the evaluations.6015 Benign neoplasms (of eyeball and adnexa):

Separately evaluate visual impairment and nonvisual

impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800),

and combine the evaluations.6016 Nystagmus, central...................................... 106017 Trachomatous conjunctivitis:

Active: Evaluate based on visual impairment, minimum..... 30

Inactive: Evaluate based on residuals, such as visual

impairment and disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).6018 Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous):

Active (with objective findings, such as red, thick 10

conjunctivae, mucous secretion, etc.)...................

Inactive: Evaluate based on residuals, such as visual

impairment and disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).6019 Ptosis, unilateral or bilateral:

Evaluate based on visual impairment or, in the absence of

visual impairment, on disfigurement (diagnostic code

7800).6020 Ectropion:

Bilateral................................................ 20

Unilateral............................................... 106021 Entropion:

Bilateral................................................ 20

Unilateral............................................... 106022 Lagophthalmos:

Bilateral................................................ 20

Unilateral............................................... 106023 Loss of eyebrows, complete, unilateral or bilateral..... 106024 Loss of eyelashes, complete, unilateral or bilateral.... 106025 Disorders of the lacrimal apparatus (epiphora,

dacryocystitis, etc.):

Bilateral................................................ 20

Unilateral............................................... 106026 Optic neuropathy:

Evaluate based on visual impairment.6027 Cataract of any type:

Preoperative:

Evaluate based on visual impairment.

Postoperative:

If a replacement lens is present (pseudophakia), evaluate

based on visual impairment. If there is no replacement

lens, evaluate based on aphakia.6029 Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens:

Evaluate based on visual impairment, and elevate the

resulting level of visual impairment one step.

Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)........................ 306030 Paralysis of accommodation (due to neuropathy of the 20

Oculomotor Nerve (cranial nerve III)).6032 Loss of eyelids, partial or complete:

Separately evaluate both visual impairment due to eyelid

loss and nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement

(diagnostic code 7800), and combine the evaluations.6034 Pterygium:

Evaluate based on visual impairment, disfigurement

(diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code

6018), etc., depending on the particular findings.6035 Keratoconus:

Evaluate based on impairment of visual acuity.6036 Status post corneal transplant:

Evaluate based on visual impairment.

Minimum, if there is pain, photophobia, and glare 10

sensitivity.............................................6037 Pinguecula:

Evaluate based on disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).------------------------------------------------------------------------

Impairment of Central Visual Acuity------------------------------------------------------------------------6061 Anatomical loss of both eyes \1\........................ 1006062 No more than light perception in both eyes \1\.......... 1006063 Anatomical loss of one eye: \1\

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60).......................... 100

In the other eye 10/200 (3/60)........................... 90

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)......................... 80

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 60

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 50

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 406064 No more than light perception in one eye: \1\

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60).......................... 100

In the other eye 10/200 (3/60)........................... 90

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)......................... 80

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 50

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 40

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 306065 Vision in one eye 5/200 (1.5/60):

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60).......................... \1\100

In the other eye 10/200 (3/60)........................... 90

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)......................... 80

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 50

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 40

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 306066 Visual acuity in one eye 10/200 (3/60) or better:Vision in one eye 10/200 (3/60):

In the other eye 10/200 (3/60)........................... 90

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)......................... 80

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 50

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 40

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 30Vision in one eye 15/200 (4.5/60):

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60)......................... 80

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 40

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 30

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 20Vision in one eye 20/200 (6/60):

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60)........................... 70

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 60

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 40

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 30

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 20Vision in one eye 20/100 (6/30):

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30)........................... 50

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 30

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 20

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 10Vision in one eye 20/70 (6/21):

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)............................ 30

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 20

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 10Vision in one eye 20/50 (6/15):

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15)............................ 10

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 10Vision in one eye 20/40 (6/12):

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)............................ 0------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR

3.350.

Ratings for Impairment of Visual Fields------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rating------------------------------------------------------------------------6080 Visual field defects:

Homonymous hemianopsia................................... 30Loss of temporal half of visual field:

Bilateral................................................ 30

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)............Loss of nasal half of visual field:

Bilateral................................................ 10

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)............Loss of inferior half of visual field:

Bilateral................................................ 30

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)............Loss of superior half of visual field:

Bilateral................................................ 10

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)............

Concentric contraction of visual field:

With remaining field of 5 degrees: \1\

Bilateral................................................ 100

Unilateral............................................... 30

Or evaluate each affected eye as 5/200 (1.5/60)..........With remaining field of 6 to 15 degrees:

Bilateral................................................ 70

Unilateral............................................... 20

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/200 (6/60)...........With remaining field of 16 to 30 degrees:

Bilateral................................................ 50

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/100 (6/30)...........With remaining field of 31 to 45 degrees:

Bilateral................................................ 30

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)............With remaining field of 46 to 60 degrees:

Bilateral................................................ 10

Unilateral............................................... 10

Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)............6081 Scotoma, unilateral:

Minimum, with scotoma affecting at least one-quarter of 10

the visual field (quadrantanopsia) or with centrally

located scotoma of any size.............................

Alternatively, evaluate based on visual impairment due to

scotoma, if that would result in a higher evaluation....------------------------------------------------------------------------\1\ Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR

3.350.

Ratings for Impairment of Muscle Function------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equivalent visual

Degree of diplopia acuity------------------------------------------------------------------------6090 Diplopia (double vision):

(a) Central 20 degrees........................... 5/200 (1.5/60)

(b) 21 degrees to 30 degrees

(1) Down..................................... 15/200 (4.5/60)

(2) Lateral.................................. 20/100 (6/30)

(3) Up....................................... 20/70 (6/21)

(c) 31 degrees to 40 degrees

(1) Down..................................... 20/200 (6/60)

(2) Lateral.................................. 20/70 (6/21)

(3) Up....................................... 20/40 (6/12)Note: In accordance with 38 CFR 4.31, diplopia that

is occasional or that is correctable with spectacles

is evaluated at 0 percent.6091 Symblepharon:

Evaluate based on visual impairment,

lagophthalmos (diagnostic code 6022),

disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), etc.,

depending on the particular findings.------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1155) [73 FR 66550, Nov. 10, 2008] Sec. Sec. 4.80-4.84 [Reserved]

Impairment of Auditory Acuity