Aphakia (absence of the natural lens) and dislocation of the crystalline lens are rated under diagnostic code 6029 on visual impairment with a minimum rating of 30 percent, whether one eye or both are affected.
Astigmatism, nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia) and age related presbyopia are refractive errors. By regulation a refractive error of the eye is not a disease or injury for VA compensation purposes (38 CFR 3.303(c) and 4.9), so it cannot be service connected or rated on its own, even if it was first found or got worse in service. Service connection is possible where a disease or injury in service was superimposed on the refractive error and caused additional disability, the rule VA's General Counsel set out in precedent opinion 82-90: a corneal disease such as keratoconus, an eye injury, cataracts or retinal disease. Those conditions are rated on corrected distance visual acuity and visual field under 38 CFR 4.76 to 4.79, and because the rating uses corrected vision, needing glasses is not by itself a compensable impairment.
Blepharospasm is rated by analogy under 38 CFR 4.79 (eye, lacrimal apparatus) at 0 to 30 percent based on functional impact.
Postoperative cataract residuals are rated under diagnostic code 6027 based on visual acuity and field loss using the general impairment of vision criteria.
Chronic blepharitis is rated under diagnostic code 6018 at 10 percent when active pathology is documented.
Chronic conjunctivitis is rated under diagnostic code 6018: 10 percent while active with objective findings such as red, thick conjunctivae or mucous secretion. When inactive, it is rated on residuals such as visual impairment or disfigurement, and 0 percent when there are none.
Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) is rated under diagnostic code 6001 using the eye formula: on visual impairment or on incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months, whichever is higher, from 10 percent for at least one treatment visit up to 60 percent for seven or more.
Status post corneal transplant is rated under diagnostic code 6036 on visual impairment, with a minimum rating of 10 percent. The vision tables control above the floor, and complications such as graft rejection episodes count under the eye formula's incapacitating episodes.
Diabetic retinopathy is rated as a secondary condition to diabetes mellitus under the visual impairment criteria of 38 CFR 4.79, based on residual visual acuity and field loss.
Diplopia is rated under diagnostic code 6090 using equivalent visual acuity: double vision in the central 20 degrees rates as 5/200 in the poorer eye, with downward and lateral gaze zones rating progressively less. The equivalent acuity is then run through the standard vision tables, and only one eye's rating is adjusted.
Dry eye disease is rated under diagnostic code 6025 at 10 percent when active pathology of the lacrimal apparatus is documented, with separate ratings for any visual impairment.
Ectropion (diagnostic code 6020), entropion (6021), and lagophthalmos (6022) each rate 10 percent for one eye and 20 percent for both. Epiphora (constant tearing from lacrimal duct interference, 6025) carries the same 10 and 20 percent tiers.
Glaucoma is rated under diagnostic code 6013 with a minimum 10 percent for treatment requirement. Visual field loss and impaired central vision are rated separately under the visual impairment criteria.
Keratoconus is rated under diagnostic code 6035 based on residual visual acuity with the best corrective lens.
Anatomical loss of one eye with normal vision in the other rates 40 percent under the visual impairment tables, climbing as the remaining eye's vision falls; anatomical loss of both eyes rates 100 percent. Loss of an eye also qualifies for Special Monthly Compensation, and a disfigurement rating can apply to the orbit.
Macular degeneration is rated under the visual impairment criteria of 38 CFR 4.79 based on residual visual acuity and central field loss.
Central nystagmus is rated under diagnostic code 6016 at 10 percent. Visual impairment it causes is rated separately under the acuity tables, and vestibular nystagmus is usually rated as part of the underlying balance disorder.
Optic neuritis residuals are rated under diagnostic code 6026 with separate visual impairment ratings under 38 CFR 4.79 for any residual visual loss.
Ptosis of the eyelid is rated under diagnostic code 6019 based on visual impairment when the lid obscures the pupil, or as disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800) when it does not. Vision based ratings follow the visual acuity tables and can be significant when the pupil is covered.
Retinal detachment is rated under diagnostic code 6008 using the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: whichever is higher of (1) the visual impairment the condition actually causes, using the acuity and field tables, or (2) documented incapacitating episodes, meaning treatment visits for the eye condition, from 10 percent for 1 to 2 visits up to 60 percent for 7 or more in the past 12 months.
Retinitis pigmentosa and other retinopathies are rated under diagnostic code 6006 using the eye formula: on visual impairment (acuity and visual fields) or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher. Because the disease destroys peripheral vision first, the visual field tables usually control, and concentric contraction to 5 degrees or less rates as 100 percent blindness levels.
Strabismus is rated under 38 CFR 4.79 DC 6090 by analogy at 10 percent or higher when it causes diplopia (double vision) that impairs function.
Uveitis (diagnostic code 6000) and iritis (6003) are rated under the General Rating Formula for eye diseases: on visual impairment, or on incapacitating episodes over the past 12 months, whichever is higher, from 10 percent for at least one treatment visit up to 60 percent for seven or more.
Visual impairment is rated on the central visual acuity table in 38 CFR 4.79 (diagnostic codes 6061 to 6066), which pairs the best-corrected acuity of each eye: 20/40 in both eyes is 0 percent, 20/50 with 20/40 is 10 percent, and the percentage climbs as either eye worsens, up to 100 percent for blindness in both eyes with no more than light perception. Visual field loss and muscle dysfunction are rated on their own tables when they produce a higher evaluation.