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

VA Diagnostic Code 6009Unhealed eye injury.

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

From the schedule

Notes on this code

These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.

  • Note: This code includes orbital trauma, as well as penetrating or non-penetrating eye injury

Unhealed Eye Injury (VA Diagnostic Code 6009)

Understanding how the VA rates an unhealed eye injury under 38 CFR § 4.79.

What This Condition Covers

Diagnostic Code 6009 addresses an unhealed eye injury within the body system for the Organs of Special Sense (Eye). According to the rating schedule, this code includes orbital trauma, as well as penetrating or non-penetrating eye injury.

Because eye injuries can affect vision and function in different ways, this code is evaluated using the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

How the VA Rates It

The VA can assign a rating during an active phase, based on documented incapacitating episodes, or based on how the injury affects your vision. The rating levels below come directly from the rating schedule for this code.

Active Disease

  • 100% — Active

Based on Incapacitating Episodes (Past 12 Months)

The VA looks at documented incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits for an eye condition over the past 12 months:

RatingCriteria
60%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits 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

Based on Visual Impairment

When the injury results in impaired vision, the VA evaluates it under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Ratings are determined by comparing central visual acuity in each eye. Examples from the schedule include:

  • 100% — With no more than light perception in both eyes, or, when one eye is severely affected, corresponding levels in the other eye (for example, other eye at 5/200 (1.5/60))
  • 90% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 10/200 (3/60)
  • 80% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 15/200 (4.5/60)
  • 70% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/200 (6/60)
  • 60% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/100 (6/30) or 20/70 (6/21)
  • 50% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/70 (6/21) or 20/100 (6/30)
  • 40% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/40 (6/12), 20/50 (6/15), or 20/70 (6/21)
  • 30% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/40 (6/12), 20/50 (6/15), or 20/70 (6/21)
  • 20% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15)
  • 10% — Corresponding levels with the other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15)
  • 0% — With the other eye at 20/40 (6/12)

The exact percentage depends on the measured visual acuity in each eye, so the levels above pair with specific readings under the General Rating Formula.

Other Rating Considerations

  • 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
  • 10% — Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required (evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye)

What the VA Looks For

When rating an unhealed eye injury, the VA considers:

  • Whether the condition is in an active phase.
  • Documented incapacitating episodes and the number of treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
  • Measured visual acuity in each eye, compared under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.
  • Central retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities that affect the image seen.
  • Whether continuous medication is required, which can support a minimum evaluation.

This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6009 under 38 CFR § 4.79. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6009. 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 6009 and attach the evidence for the level you are asking for. Other Organs of Special Sense (Eye) codes may cover your secondary conditions.

Find out which rating your evidence supports.

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