VA Disability Ratings for Eye Conditions: What Veterans Need to Know

The Department of Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) provides VA healthcare professionals with guidelines for evaluating medical conditions for possible compensation.

Understanding how the VA rates eye conditions can help you document your claim properly and set realistic expectations for your disability percentage. Keep in mind that ratings are always subject to change due to regulation, policy, or new medical discoveries, so it’s best to confirm current guidelines directly with the VA at 1-800-827-1000.

How the VA Rates Eye Conditions

The VA’s rating criteria for eye conditions are broken into four main sections:

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, Impairment of Central Visual Acuity, Ratings for Impairment of Visual Fields, and Ratings for Impairment of Muscle Function.

Each section accounts for the nature of the condition, its severity, and how it impacts the veteran’s daily functioning. Some conditions can qualify for a 100% disability rating. In many cases, however, the final rating depends on the resulting visual impairment, meaning the percentage can vary based on how the condition affects vision.

To estimate how your rating could affect your monthly compensation, use our VA disability calculator.

The General Rating Formula for Eye Diseases

VA disability ratings will depend partly on the nature. For many eye conditions, the VA evaluates veterans based on either visual impairment (such as loss of visual acuity or field of vision) or, in some cases, the frequency of treatment and severity of the condition, depending on the specific diagnostic code, whichever results in the higher rating.

The VA generally evaluates more severe cases based on documented treatment by a healthcare provider, often involving ongoing or intensive care, rather than simply counting routine clinic visits.

When applicable, higher ratings may be assigned based on the frequency and intensity of treatment over a 12-month period, as defined by the specific diagnostic code. These criteria typically require documented, provider-directed treatment, not just routine visits.

It’s worth noting that this is the general formula. Certain conditions like tuberculosis of the eye or malignant neoplasms can warrant a 100% rating, while others like chronic conjunctivitis, retinal scars, and certain glaucomas typically cap at 10%.

Common Eye Conditions the VA Rates

There are a variety of issues the VA anticipates seeing in the screening/rating process. They include:

• Choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, or choroiditis
• Keratopathy
• Scleritis
• Retinopathy or maculopathy “not otherwise specified”
• Intraocular hemorrhage
• Detached retina
• Unhealed eye injury (including orbital trauma, penetrating or non-penetrating eye injury)
• Tuberculosis of the eye
• Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities
• Angle-closure glaucoma
• Open-angle glaucoma
• Malignant neoplasms of the eye, orbit, and adnexa (excluding skin)

This is not a comprehensive list. For information specific to your condition, contact your primary care provider or call the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000.

Impairment of Central Visual Acuity

The VA rates physical conditions of the eye starting with the anatomical loss of both eyes rated at 100%, with certain other medical issues rated as follows:

• No more than light perception in both eyes.
• Anatomical loss of one eye and impaired vision in the other eye on a sliding scale.
• No more than light perception in one eye and impaired vision in the other eye on a sliding scale.
• Vision in one eye.
• Vision in one eye and impaired vision in the other eye on a sliding scale.
• Visual acuity in one eye 10/200 (3/60) or better.
• Visual acuity in one eye 10/200 (3/60) or better and impaired vision in the other eye on a sliding scale.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives a good idea of what VA examiners are looking for in this area.

Impairment of Visual Fields

Visual field impairments affect how the eye functions rather than its physical structure. The two most commonly rated conditions in this section are homonymous hemianopsia and unilateral scotoma.

Homonymous hemianopsia refers to the loss of vision on one side of the visual field in both eyes, caused by damage to the visual pathway on one side of the brain. The VA rates this condition based on the extent of visual field loss, typically measured in degrees using standardized visual field testing, along with whether the impairment affects one or both eyes.

Unilateral scotoma, or a blind spot in one eye, is rated based on the size and location of the scotoma. A minimum rating applies when the scotoma affects at least one quarter of the visual field or when a centrally located scotoma of any size is present.

Most ratings in this section fall between 10% and 30%, though certain impairments can reach 50% or higher. To see how these percentages translate to monthly payments, check the current VA disability rates.

Impairment of Muscle Function

This section covers two conditions: diplopia (double vision) and symblepharon (adhesion of the eyelid lining to the surface of the eyeball).

Diplopia is rated based on the range of vision affected (central 20 degrees, 21 to 30 degrees, or 31 to 40 degrees) and the direction of the double vision (down, lateral, or up). Double vision that is occasional or correctable with standard spectacles is generally assigned a 0% rating.

Symblepharon is evaluated using the VA’s General Rating Formula for eye diseases, with reference to diagnostic codes for disfigurement or lagophthalmos, which is the inability to fully close the eyes.

What This Means for Your Claim

Eye conditions can carry a wide range of ratings depending on the specific diagnosis, severity, and how the condition affects your daily functioning. Thorough medical documentation, including treatment records and clinical evaluations, will be essential to supporting your claim.

Once your rating is finalized, knowing your VA disability pay dates will help you plan around when to expect your monthly compensation.

Always confirm current rates and criteria directly with the VA.