Organs of Special Sense (Eye)§ 4.79Updated
Rating criteria

VA Diagnostic Code 6006Retinopathy or maculopathy not otherwise specified

Rated from 0% to 100% under § 4.79. Here is what the VA requires at each level.

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What each rating requires

The VA assigns the highest level your evidence actually supports. Read up the stack until your records stop matching.

  1. 60%

    With documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

  2. 40%

    With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

  3. 20%

    With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

  4. 10%

    With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

  5. 100%

    Active

  6. 10%

    Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image

  7. 10%

    Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required

  8. 10%

    Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required

  9. 100%

    Malignant neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin) that require therapy that is comparable to those 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

  10. 10%

    6016 Nystagmus, central

  11. 30%

    Active: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, minimum rating

  12. 10%

    Active: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, minimum rating

  13. 20%

    Bilateral

  14. 10%

    Unilateral

  15. 20%

    Bilateral

  16. 10%

    Unilateral

  17. 20%

    Bilateral

  18. 10%

    Unilateral

  19. 10%

    6023 Loss of eyebrows, complete, unilateral or bilateral

  20. 10%

    6024 Loss of eyelashes, complete, unilateral or bilateral

  21. 20%

    Bilateral

  22. 10%

    Unilateral

  23. 30%

    Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)

  24. 20%

    6030 Paralysis of accommodation (due to neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve (cranial nerve III)).

  25. 10%

    Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Minimum, if there is pain, photophobia, and glare sensitivity

  26. 100%

    6061 Anatomical loss of both eyes 1

  27. 100%

    6062 No more than light perception in both eyes 1

  28. 100%

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

  29. 90%

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

  30. 80%

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

  31. 70%

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

  32. 60%

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

  33. 60%

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

  34. 50%

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

  35. 40%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  36. 100%

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

  37. 90%

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

  38. 80%

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

  39. 70%

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

  40. 60%

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

  41. 50%

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

  42. 40%

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

  43. 30%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  44. 90%

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

  45. 80%

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

  46. 70%

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

  47. 60%

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

  48. 50%

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

  49. 40%

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

  50. 30%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  51. 90%

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

  52. 80%

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

  53. 70%

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

  54. 60%

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

  55. 50%

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

  56. 40%

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

  57. 30%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  58. 80%

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

  59. 70%

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

  60. 60%

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

  61. 40%

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

  62. 30%

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

  63. 20%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  64. 70%

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

  65. 60%

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

  66. 40%

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

  67. 30%

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

  68. 20%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  69. 50%

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

  70. 30%

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

  71. 20%

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

  72. 10%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  73. 30%

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

  74. 20%

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

  75. 10%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  76. 10%

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

  77. 10%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

  78. 0%

    In the other eye 20/40 (6/12)

How it is applied

General rating formula

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye

Retinopathy or Maculopathy (Not Otherwise Specified) — VA Diagnostic Code 6006

Body system: Organs of Special Sense (Eye) · Governed by 38 CFR § 4.79 · Rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye

Understanding the Condition

Retinopathy and maculopathy refer to disease or damage affecting the retina and macula — the parts of the eye responsible for capturing and processing what you see. Diagnostic Code 6006 covers these conditions when they are "not otherwise specified," meaning they don't fall under a more specific eye diagnostic code.

The VA rates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Two main pathways can apply: the frequency of incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits over the past 12 months, and the impairment of visual acuity or other eye function that results from the condition. In some situations, a minimum evaluation applies if continuous medication is required.

Available Rating Levels

Based on Incapacitating Episodes (documented, past 12 months)

RatingWhat it reflects
60%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
40%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits during the past 12 months
20%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits during the past 12 months
10%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits during the past 12 months

Other Bases for a Rating

  • 10% — Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina (unilateral or bilateral) that are centrally located and result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image.
  • 10% minimum — When the condition is evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye and continuous medication is required.

Ratings Based on Visual Impairment

When the condition affects visual acuity, it is evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Ratings range across levels — for example, from 0% and 10% at the milder end up to 100% — with the assigned percentage depending on the measured visual acuity in each eye (such as 20/40, 20/50, 20/70, 20/100, 20/200, 15/200, 10/200, or 5/200). Higher ratings correspond to greater loss of vision in the affected eye or eyes.

What the VA Looks For

When rating retinopathy or maculopathy under Code 6006, the VA considers:

  • Documented incapacitating episodes — specifically, the number of treatment visits for an eye condition over the past 12 months.
  • Measured visual acuity in each eye, evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.
  • Central retinal scarring, atrophy, or irregularities that distort the image (irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished).
  • Whether continuous medication is required, which supports a 10% minimum evaluation.

This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6006 under 38 CFR § 4.79. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes how the condition is evaluated. It does not predict any individual outcome or constitute legal advice.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6006. The official version is the one that governs your rating.

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What next

How to claim this

Knowing the criteria is the first half. Getting your file to show them is the second.

  1. Find your level in the stack

    Read each rung against what your medical records already say. The level your records document today is the one the VA can support today.

  2. Name the gap

    Look at the rung above yours and write down exactly what it asks for that your file does not show yet — a diagnosis, a measurement, a prescribed brace, a doctor’s opinion linking it to service.

  3. Claim it by code

    File under diagnostic code 6006 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Organs of Special Sense (Eye) codes may cover your secondary conditions.

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