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

VA Diagnostic Code 6042Retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa, wet or dry macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration, rod and/or cone dystrophy)

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

Retinal Dystrophy (Diagnostic Code 6042)

Understanding how the VA rates retinal dystrophy — including retinitis pigmentosa, wet or dry macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration, and rod and/or cone dystrophy.

What This Condition Is

Retinal dystrophy is a group of conditions affecting the retina — the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye. Under Diagnostic Code 6042 (found in 38 CFR § 4.79, covering the Organs of Special Sense (Eye)), the VA groups together several related diagnoses, including:

  • Retinitis pigmentosa
  • Wet or dry macular degeneration
  • Early-onset macular degeneration
  • Rod and/or cone dystrophy

The VA evaluates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

How the VA Rates It

The rating for retinal dystrophy can be based on several different factors. Depending on how the condition presents, the VA may assign a rating using the criteria below.

Incapacitating Episodes (Treatment Visits in the Past 12 Months)

The VA can assign ratings based on documented incapacitating episodes that require treatment visits for an eye condition over the past 12 months:

RatingCriteria
60%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits in the past 12 months
40%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits in the past 12 months
20%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits in the past 12 months
10%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits in the past 12 months

Active Disease

RatingCriteria
100%Active

Minimum Ratings and Retinal Findings

RatingCriteria
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 evaluation if continuous medication is required (evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye)

Ratings Based on Impairment of Visual Acuity

When retinal dystrophy affects vision, the VA may also assign a rating based on the visual acuity in each eye. The rating depends on the combination of vision in both eyes. Examples from the schedule include:

RatingExample Criteria
100%No more than light perception in both eyes; or one eye with corresponding loss and the other eye at 5/200 (1.5/60)
90%Other eye at 10/200 (3/60)
80%Other eye at 15/200 (4.5/60)
70%Other eye at 20/200 (6/60)
60%Other eye at 20/100 (6/30) or 20/70 (6/21)
50%Other eye at 20/70 (6/21) or 20/100 (6/30)
40%Other eye at 20/50 (6/15) or 20/70 (6/21)
30%Other eye at 20/40 (6/12), 20/50 (6/15), or 20/70 (6/21)
20%Other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15)
10%Other eye at 20/40 (6/12) or 20/50 (6/15)
0%Other eye at 20/40 (6/12)

Visual acuity ratings depend on the measured vision in each eye; the specific rating assigned reflects the combination of both eyes as set out in § 4.79.

What the VA Looks For

When rating retinal dystrophy under Diagnostic Code 6042, the VA reviews:

  • Documented incapacitating episodes, measured by the number of treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
  • Whether the disease is active
  • Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina that are centrally located and affect the image
  • Whether continuous medication is required (supporting a minimum evaluation)
  • Impairment of visual acuity, measured in each eye

This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule at 38 CFR § 4.79 for Diagnostic Code 6042 and is provided for general informational purposes only. Individual ratings are determined by the VA based on your specific medical evidence and examination.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6042. 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 6042 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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