VA Diagnostic Code 6025Disorders of the lacrimal apparatus (epiphora, dacryocystitis, etc.):
Rated from 10% to 20% under § 4.79. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 20%
Bilateral
- 10%
Unilateral
VA Disability Rating: Disorders of the Lacrimal Apparatus (Diagnostic Code 6025)
Understanding Disorders of the Lacrimal Apparatus
The lacrimal apparatus is the part of your eye responsible for producing and draining tears. When this system doesn't work properly, it can lead to conditions such as epiphora (excessive tearing or watery eyes) or dacryocystitis (inflammation or infection of the tear sac).
The VA evaluates these disorders under Diagnostic Code 6025, which falls within the Organs of Special Sense (Eye) body system and is rated according to 38 CFR § 4.79.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns a rating for disorders of the lacrimal apparatus based on whether the condition affects one eye or both eyes:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 20% | Bilateral (affecting both eyes) |
| 10% | Unilateral (affecting one eye) |
What the VA Looks For
When rating a disorder of the lacrimal apparatus under Diagnostic Code 6025, the key factor the VA considers is whether the condition is:
- Unilateral — affecting one eye, which corresponds to a 10% rating
- Bilateral — affecting both eyes, which corresponds to a 20% rating
The distinction between one-eye and two-eye involvement is what determines the rating level under this diagnostic code.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6025. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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File under diagnostic code 6025 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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