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

VA Diagnostic Code 6046Post-chiasmal disorders

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

Post-Chiasmal Disorders (VA Diagnostic Code 6046)

Understanding how the VA rates post-chiasmal disorders under 38 CFR § 4.79

What This Condition Is

Post-chiasmal disorders affect the visual pathways in the brain that lie behind the optic chiasm — the point where the optic nerves cross. Because these pathways carry visual information from the eyes to the brain, disorders in this area can affect vision even when the eyes themselves may appear structurally healthy.

The VA classifies this condition under the Organs of Special Sense (Eye) body system and evaluates it using the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.

How the VA Rates Post-Chiasmal Disorders

Ratings for eye conditions like this one are generally assigned based on two main approaches drawn from the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye:

1Incapacitating Episodes

When there are documented incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits for an eye condition over the past 12 months, the following levels may apply:

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 fewer than 7 treatment visits in the past 12 months
20%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but fewer than 5 treatment visits in the past 12 months
10%Documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but fewer than 3 treatment visits in the past 12 months

An active disorder may be rated at 100%.

2Impairment of Visual Acuity

The General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye also evaluates impairment of central visual acuity. Under this approach, ratings are determined by comparing the visual acuity in each eye. Ratings range across many levels — for example:

  • 100% when the affected combinations reach the most severe measured levels (such as 5/200 in the other eye)
  • Intermediate levels of 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, and 20% as measured acuity improves
  • 10% at milder measured levels (such as 20/50 or 20/40 in the other eye)
  • 0% at the least severe measured combination listed (20/40 in the other eye)

A minimum evaluation of 10% may be assigned if continuous medication is required.

What the VA Looks For

When rating post-chiasmal disorders, the VA reviews documentation such as:

  • Documented incapacitating episodes and the number of treatment visits required for an eye condition during the past 12 months
  • Whether the disorder is active
  • Measured visual acuity in each eye, compared according to the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye
  • Whether continuous medication is required, which supports the minimum 10% evaluation

This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.79 for Diagnostic Code 6046. It is provided for general educational purposes and describes how the rating criteria are structured. Individual evaluations depend on your specific medical documentation.

These criteria are a rendering of § 4.79, diagnostic code 6046. 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 6046 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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