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

VA Diagnostic Code 6040Diabetic retinopathy

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

Diabetic Retinopathy (VA Diagnostic Code 6040)

Understanding how the VA rates diabetic retinopathy under 38 CFR § 4.79.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition affecting the Organs of Special Sense (Eye) body system. When the VA evaluates it, they use Diagnostic Code 6040 and apply the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

How the VA Rates This Condition

The VA assigns a disability percentage based on the documented facts in your record. For diabetic retinopathy, ratings can be driven by two main pathways: incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits, and impairment of visual function (such as loss of visual acuity). Below is a plain-language summary of the rating levels drawn directly from the schedule.

Ratings Based on Incapacitating Episodes

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

RatingWhat the VA Looks For
60%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits during the past 12 months
40%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but fewer than 7 treatment visits during the past 12 months
20%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but fewer than 5 treatment visits during the past 12 months
10%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but fewer than 3 treatment visits during the past 12 months

Other Rating Considerations

  • 100% (Active): When the condition is active, evaluation may be assigned under the criteria for an active disease process.
  • 10% (Minimum): A minimum evaluation may apply when continuous medication is required, evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.
  • 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.

Ratings Based on Impairment of Visual Acuity

Because the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye also accounts for impairment of visual function, ratings may be assigned based on visual acuity in each eye. The schedule includes a range of levels tied to measured vision in the affected eye compared to the other eye, for example:

  • 100% — With no more than light perception in both eyes, or anatomical loss of both eyes; and certain combinations such as vision in the other eye at 5/200 (1.5/60).
  • 90% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 10/200 (3/60).
  • 80% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 15/200 (4.5/60).
  • 70% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/200 (6/60).
  • 60% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/100 (6/30) or 20/70 (6/21).
  • 50% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/70 (6/21) or 20/100 (6/30).
  • 40% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/50 (6/15) or 20/70 (6/21).
  • 30% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/40 (6/12), 20/50 (6/15), or 20/70 (6/21).
  • 20% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15).
  • 10% — Combinations such as vision in the other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15).
  • 0% — Vision in the other eye at 20/40 (6/12) at the lowest acuity level in the schedule.

The specific percentage depends on the exact measured vision in each eye as recorded in your examination.

What This Means for You

The VA relies on documented medical evidence — the number of treatment visits for incapacitating episodes, whether continuous medication is required, the nature of any retinal scarring, and measured visual acuity — to determine which rating level applies. Keeping thorough records of your treatment and eye examinations helps ensure your condition is evaluated against the correct criteria in § 4.79.

This information summarizes the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6040 and is provided for general educational purposes. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6040. 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 6040 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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