---
title: "DC 6080 - Visual field defects:"
diagnostic_code: "6080"
body_system: "Organs of Special Sense (Eye)"
cfr_section: "§ 4.79"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/eye/6080-visual-field-defects"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.79"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:21:48.214684Z"
---

# DC 6080 - Visual field defects:

Rated under § 4.79. Body system: Organs of Special Sense (Eye).

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 30% | Homonymous hemianopsia |
| 30% | Loss of temporal half of visual field: Bilateral |
| 10% | Loss of temporal half of visual field: Unilateral |
| 10% | Loss of nasal half of visual field: Bilateral |
| 10% | Loss of nasal half of visual field: Unilateral |
| 30% | Loss of inferior half of visual field: Bilateral |
| 10% | Loss of inferior half of visual field: Unilateral |
| 10% | Loss of superior half of visual field: Bilateral |
| 10% | Loss of superior half of visual field: Unilateral |
| 100% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 5 degrees: Bilateral |
| 30% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 5 degrees: Unilateral |
| 70% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 6 to 15 degrees: Bilateral |
| 20% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 6 to 15 degrees: Unilateral |
| 50% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 16 to 30 degrees: Bilateral |
| 10% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 16 to 30 degrees: Unilateral |
| 30% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 31 to 45 degrees: Bilateral |
| 10% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 31 to 45 degrees: Unilateral |
| 10% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 46 to 60 degrees: Bilateral |
| 10% | Concentric contraction of visual field: With remaining field of 46 to 60 degrees: Unilateral |

## Notes

- Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350.

# VA Disability Ratings for Visual Field Defects (Diagnostic Code 6080)

*Organs of Special Sense (Eye) · 38 CFR § 4.79*

## Understanding Visual Field Defects

Your visual field is the total area you can see when your eyes are focused on a single point — including everything in your side (peripheral) vision. A visual field defect means that part of this area is lost or reduced. Under Diagnostic Code 6080, the VA rates these defects based on which part of the visual field is affected and how much of the field remains.

Ratings for visual field defects fall under the eye body system and are evaluated according to the schedule in **38 CFR § 4.79**.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA recognizes several categories of visual field loss under this diagnostic code. Ratings vary depending on the type of defect and whether it affects one eye (unilateral) or both eyes (bilateral).

### Half-Field Losses

| Type of Loss | Unilateral | Bilateral |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of temporal half of visual field | 10% | 30% |
| Loss of nasal half of visual field | 10% | 10% |
| Loss of inferior half of visual field | 10% | 30% |
| Loss of superior half of visual field | 10% | 10% |

**Homonymous hemianopsia** (loss of the same half of the visual field in both eyes) is rated at **30%**.

### Concentric Contraction of the Visual Field

Concentric contraction means the visual field narrows inward from all sides, leaving a smaller central area of vision. The rating depends on how many degrees of field remain and whether one or both eyes are affected.

| Remaining Field | Unilateral | Bilateral |
|---|---|---|
| 5 degrees | 30% | 100% |
| 6 to 15 degrees | 20% | 70% |
| 16 to 30 degrees | 10% | 50% |
| 31 to 45 degrees | 10% | 30% |
| 46 to 60 degrees | 10% | 10% |

As you can see, a smaller remaining field of vision generally corresponds to a higher rating, and bilateral loss is rated more highly than unilateral loss.

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating visual field defects, the VA considers:

- **The type of defect** — such as homonymous hemianopsia, loss of a half-field (temporal, nasal, inferior, or superior), or concentric contraction of the visual field.
- **Whether the condition is unilateral (one eye) or bilateral (both eyes).**
- **For concentric contraction, the number of degrees of visual field that remain**, measured within the ranges shown above.

**Additional consideration:** The VA will also review entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR § 3.350.

---

*This overview is provided for general informational purposes and is based on the rating criteria in 38 CFR § 4.79. It is not legal advice, and individual ratings depend on the specifics of each claim as evaluated by the VA.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.79