What Is the VA Rating for Vision Loss? How VA Rates Eye Conditions, Visual Acuity Charts, and SMC for Blindness
Vision loss is one of the most complex areas of VA disability ratings — and one of the most commonly under-rated.
The VA evaluates eye conditions across three independent axes: central visual acuity, visual field loss, and muscle function (diplopia). Most veterans and even many VSO representatives only focus on acuity. That means the other two axes — which can dramatically increase your rating — get overlooked.
In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how the VA rates every type of vision loss, the specific diagnostic codes that apply, and the strategic moves that separate a 10% rating from 100% plus Special Monthly Compensation.
Here is what you will learn:
- How VA Rates Vision Loss — The Three Axes
- Visual Acuity Rating Table (DC 6061–6066)
- Corrected vs. Uncorrected Vision — The Diopter Exception
- Visual Field Loss Ratings (DC 6080)
- Glaucoma, Cataracts, and the General Rating Formula
- Macular Degeneration and Retinal Conditions
- Diabetic Retinopathy as a Secondary Condition
- Agent Orange and Vision Loss
- Special Monthly Compensation for Blindness
- C&P Exam Tips for Eye Conditions
How VA Rates Vision Loss — The Three Axes
The VA evaluates visual impairment under 38 CFR §§ 4.75–4.79 using three independent measurement systems. Understanding all three is critical because each one can generate a separate rating — and when combined properly, they can push your overall compensation significantly higher.
Axis 1: Central Visual Acuity — This is what most people think of as "vision loss." The VA measures your corrected distance vision using Snellen fractions (20/20, 20/40, 20/200, etc.) and rates both eyes together using a combined table under Diagnostic Codes 6061–6066.
Axis 2: Visual Field Loss — Measured as average concentric contraction in degrees across 8 principal meridians. Rated under Diagnostic Code 6080. This is the axis most commonly missed by veterans and VSOs.
Axis 3: Muscle Function / Diplopia — Double vision caused by eye muscle dysfunction. Rated under Diagnostic Code 6090 based on which quadrant and degree range the diplopia occurs in.
When both visual acuity loss AND visual field loss are present and service-connected, the VA must evaluate them separately and then combine them under § 4.25 (the combined ratings table). This is codified at § 4.77(c) and confirmed in BVA case law — but it is almost never mentioned in VSO guidance. If you have both types of impairment, make sure both are documented and rated.
All eye examinations must be conducted by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist. Visual field and muscle function testing are only ordered when there is a medical indication of disease or injury — so you need to specifically request these tests if your condition affects your peripheral vision or causes double vision.
Visual Acuity Rating Table (DC 6061–6066)
The VA rates visual acuity by looking at both eyes together. The rater locates the acuity of the poorer eye, then cross-references it with the better eye's acuity to determine the combined percentage.
Here is the current rating table:
| Condition | DC | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomical loss of both eyes | 6061 | 100% |
| No more than light perception, both eyes | 6062 | 100% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 5/200 | 6063 | 100% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 10/200 | 6063 | 90% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 15/200 | 6063 | 80% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 20/200 | 6063 | 70% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 20/100 | 6065 | 60% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 20/70 | 6065 | 60% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 20/50 | 6065 | 50% |
| Anatomical loss one eye + other 20/40 | 6066 | 40% |
| Both eyes 20/200 | — | 70% |
| Both eyes 20/100 | — | 60% |
| One eye 20/200, other 20/100 | — | 60% |
| One eye 20/200, other 20/70 | — | 40% |
| One eye blind (SC), other 20/40 (deemed normal) | — | 30% max |
The 30% One-Eye Cap — A Critical Structural Limit
Under § 4.75(d), the evaluation for visual impairment of one eye must not exceed 30% unless there is anatomical loss of the eye. This means a veteran who is completely blind in one service-connected eye but has 20/40 or better in the other eye is capped at 30% for the vision impairment.
However, disfigurement under DC 7800 can be combined with the visual impairment rating for the same eye. And SMC-K is available on top of the 30% cap if the service-connected eye has only light perception.
The Paired-Organ Rule (§ 3.383): If your service-connected eye is at 20/200 or worse AND your non-service-connected eye is also at 20/200 or worse (or both visual fields are 20 degrees or less), the VA must rate both eyes as if both were service-connected. This can break the 30% one-eye cap and unlock dramatically higher ratings. But if the non-SC eye is better than 20/200, this rule does NOT activate — the non-SC eye defaults to a deemed 20/40.
The Tie-Breaking Rule
When your measured visual acuity falls between two listed values on the chart, the VA must use the value that permits the higher evaluation. This is a veteran-favorable rule built into § 4.76 — make sure your rater applies it.
Corrected vs. Uncorrected Vision — The Diopter Exception
Here is the part most veterans get wrong.
The VA uses corrected distance vision (with glasses or contacts) as the primary baseline for rating visual acuity. Unlike hearing loss, where the VA tests unaided hearing, vision ratings are based on how well you see with your prescription.
This means if your uncorrected vision is 20/400 but corrects to 20/40 with glasses, the VA rates you at the 20/40 level.
The Diopter Exception — When Uncorrected Can Help
There is one important exception under § 4.76(b)(1). When the corrective lens required for your poorer eye differs by more than three diopters from the lens required for the better eye (and the difference is not from a congenital or developmental refractive error), the VA will evaluate the poorer eye using either corrected or uncorrected vision — whichever results in a higher combined rating.
This exception exists because a large diopter difference between eyes (anisometropia) makes it difficult to wear corrective lenses comfortably, even though each eye might technically correct to an acceptable level.
Ask your eye doctor to document the diopter difference between your corrective lenses. If the difference exceeds three diopters, cite § 4.76(b)(1) in your claim and request that the VA evaluate using whichever acuity — corrected or uncorrected — produces the higher combined rating.
When Near Vision Is Worse Than Distance
Under § 4.76(b)(3), if your near vision is two or more scheduled steps worse than your corrected distance vision, the examiner must document at least two recordings of both near and distance vision and explain the discrepancy. In these cases, the VA adjusts your corrected distance vision one step poorer than measured.
Visual Field Loss Ratings (DC 6080)
This is the axis that gets overlooked the most — and it can be worth the most.
Visual field loss is measured as average concentric contraction: the remaining visual field in degrees at each of 8 principal meridians (45 degrees apart), summed and divided by 8. The results are rated under DC 6080.
| Concentric Contraction | Bilateral Rating | Unilateral Rating |
|---|---|---|
| To 5° or less | 100% | — |
| To 15° but not to 5° | 70% | 20% |
| To 30° but not to 15° | 50% | 10% |
| To 45° but not to 30° | 30% | 10% |
| To 60° but not to 45° | 20% | 10% |
Equipment Requirements — A Hidden Trap
Visual field testing for VA purposes must use specific equipment: a Goldmann kinetic perimeter OR a Humphrey Model 750 / Octopus Model 101 (or later versions of these devices) with simulated kinetic Goldmann capability.
This matters because the vast majority of modern eye care providers use standard automated static perimetry (like Humphrey 24-2 or 30-2 threshold tests). These standard automated tests do not qualify for VA visual field rating purposes unless the device is running the specific simulated kinetic Goldmann program.
Two-Readings Minimum: Under 38 CFR § 4.76, visual field examinations must have "not less than 2 recordings, and when possible, 3" per eye. The Board of Veterans Appeals has strictly enforced this rule — in BVA 0801489 (2008), the Board rejected visual field exam results because each eye had only a single reading instead of the required two. If you submit private perimetry results, verify they include at least two readings per eye.
Field-Based SMC Parity
Bilateral concentric contraction to 5 degrees or less is treated on par with central visual acuity of 5/200 or less for all purposes — including SMC-L entitlement under § 3.350(b)(2). This field-based pathway to SMC-L is confirmed in BVA adjudication but appears in virtually no VSO guidance.
Not Sure What Your Eye Condition Is Worth?
Upload your records. VetAid analyzes your visual acuity, field loss, and secondary conditions to find what the VA owes you.
Analyze My Claim FreeGlaucoma, Cataracts, and the General Rating Formula
Many eye diseases are rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, which was updated in 2018. This formula applies to glaucoma, cataracts (postoperative), uveitis, dry eye syndrome, scleritis, and many other conditions.
The General Rating Formula uses a treatment-visit-count standard:
| Treatment Visits (Past 12 Months) | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1 to less than 3 visits | 10% |
| 3 to less than 5 visits | 20% |
| 5 to less than 7 visits | 40% |
| 7 or more visits | 60% |
An "incapacitating episode" under this formula is defined as an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment. Examples include intravitreal injections, laser treatments, immunosuppressant therapy, and surgical interventions.
The critical rule: a veteran can be rated under either the treatment-visit pathway or the visual acuity/field impairment pathway — whichever produces the higher rating. Always calculate both.
Glaucoma — The Progressive Field Loss Condition
Glaucoma is particularly important because it causes progressive concentric visual field loss. When bilateral field loss reaches 15–30 degrees (the DC 6080 tier), the field-based rating of 50% bilateral may exceed the General Rating Formula rating — even if the veteran still has reasonable central acuity.
Make sure your C&P exam includes qualifying visual field testing if you have glaucoma. Many examiners test only central acuity and miss the field loss entirely.
Cataracts (DC 6029 — Aphakia)
- Before surgery: Rated on impairment of vision (acuity/field).
- After surgery with replacement lens (pseudophakia): Rated on corrected visual acuity under the General Rating Formula.
- After surgery without replacement lens (aphakia): Minimum 30% rating. Rated on uncorrected visual acuity, and the corrected vision is taken one step worse than measured (but not better than 20/70).
If you had cataract surgery and did not receive a replacement lens, your minimum rating is 30% — regardless of your actual acuity. Additionally, if you have anatomical loss of one eye and cannot wear a prosthesis, the DC 6063 rating is increased by 10%.
Macular Degeneration and Retinal Conditions
Macular degeneration, retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa), and other retinal conditions are rated under the General Rating Formula or on visual acuity/field impairment — whichever is higher.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) primarily affects central visual acuity. As the condition progresses, the VA rates it based on the corrected visual acuity in each eye using the DC 6061–6066 table. Veterans with wet AMD who require frequent intravitreal injections should also calculate their rating under the treatment-visit pathway.
Retinitis Pigmentosa — The Field Loss Condition
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) causes progressive loss of peripheral vision — the classic "tunnel vision" pattern. This is a visual field condition, and it should be rated primarily under DC 6080.
In BVA 0801489 (2008), a veteran with RP and bilateral 5-degree average concentric contraction received a 100% schedular rating under DC 6080, with referral for SMC-L consideration.
If you have RP, request Goldmann kinetic perimetry specifically (not standard automated threshold testing), and make sure the exam includes at least two readings per eye.
Scotoma (DC 6081)
A scotoma is a blind spot in the visual field. It receives a minimum 10% rating if it is large, centrally located, or if there is quadrantanopsia (loss of one-quarter of the visual field). The VA rates scotoma on loss of central visual acuity or field impairment, whichever is higher — but it is not combined with other visual impairment ratings.
Diabetic Retinopathy as a Secondary Condition
This is one of the most powerful secondary claims available.
Diabetic retinopathy is a direct complication of diabetes mellitus. If your diabetes is service-connected, diabetic retinopathy can be claimed as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310.
Diabetic retinopathy is rated under the General Rating Formula (10%–60% based on treatment visits) or on visual acuity/field impairment, whichever is higher.
The secondary connection is well-established in medical literature. You will need:
- A current diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy from a qualified eye care provider
- An existing service-connected rating for diabetes mellitus
- A medical nexus opinion linking the retinopathy to your diabetes
- Treatment records showing the frequency and type of eye care visits
Veterans with service-connected diabetes should get annual dilated eye exams. If diabetic retinopathy is found, file the secondary claim immediately — do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Early filing preserves your effective date, and the condition can be re-evaluated as it progresses.
Other secondary eye conditions linked to diabetes include diabetic macular edema and neovascular glaucoma. Each can be rated separately if they produce distinct impairments.
Agent Orange and Vision Loss
Several eye conditions are associated with herbicide agent (Agent Orange) exposure, though not all are on the VA's presumptive list.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a presumptive condition for veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Because diabetic retinopathy is a direct complication of diabetes, the secondary connection pathway described above is available to any veteran with Agent Orange-related diabetes who develops retinopathy.
This creates a two-step presumptive chain:
- Agent Orange exposure → Type 2 diabetes (presumptive under 38 CFR § 3.309(e))
- Service-connected diabetes → Diabetic retinopathy (secondary under § 3.310)
Vietnam-era veterans, veterans who served in Thailand (certain bases), veterans who served in specific test/storage locations, and veterans exposed during C-123 aircraft remediation should confirm their eligibility for herbicide agent presumptions.
If you are already service-connected for Agent Orange-related diabetes, any new eye diagnosis should immediately trigger a secondary claim review. The medical nexus between diabetes and diabetic retinopathy is one of the strongest in VA claims — denial rates are lower when the connection is clearly documented.
Special Monthly Compensation for Blindness
Beyond the standard schedular ratings, the VA provides Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for severe vision loss. SMC is additional compensation on top of your regular rating.
| SMC Level | Criteria | Approximate Monthly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| SMC-K | Blindness in one eye, light perception only | ~$133 (additive) |
| SMC-L | Bilateral blindness at 5/200 or worse, OR bilateral field contraction to 5° or less | ~$3,327 |
| SMC-M | Bilateral blindness, light perception only | ~$3,671 |
| SMC-N | Anatomical loss of both eyes or no light perception bilaterally | ~$4,176 |
SMC-K — The Most Commonly Missed Entitlement
SMC-K is the only SMC level that is additive to your regular compensation — it stacks on top. It is payable for blindness in one eye with only light perception remaining.
In BVA A25011199 (2025), SMC-K was awarded alongside the 30% schedular cap for DC 6064. This means even if you are capped at 30% for one-eye visual impairment, SMC-K adds approximately $133 per month on top.
SMC-L Through the Field Pathway
Most veterans and advocates think SMC-L for blindness requires acuity of 5/200 or worse in both eyes. But there is a field-based pathway that is almost never discussed: bilateral concentric contraction to 5 degrees or less is treated on parity with 5/200 acuity for SMC-L purposes under § 3.350(b)(2).
This has been confirmed in BVA adjudication. If you have severe bilateral peripheral vision loss, you may qualify for SMC-L even if your central acuity is relatively preserved.
The field-based SMC parity (5 degrees or less = 5/200) applies for SMC-L and higher levels. It does not apply for SMC-K, which requires actual light-perception-only blindness in one eye under § 3.350(a). An eye patch worn for diplopia also does not trigger SMC for loss of use — the eye is still present.
SMC Escalators for Combined Vision and Hearing Loss
Veterans with both severe vision loss and hearing loss may qualify for escalated SMC rates:
- Bilateral blindness (5/200 or worse) + service-connected total deafness in one ear = next higher intermediate rate (capped at SMC-O)
- Bilateral blindness (light perception only) + bilateral deafness rated 10% or 20% = next higher intermediate rate (capped at SMC-O)
Could You Be Under-Rated for Vision Loss?
VetAid checks for missed visual field ratings, SMC entitlements, and secondary connections that most claims miss.
Analyze My Claim FreeC&P Exam Tips for Eye Conditions
The C&P exam for eye conditions is where your claim is won or lost. Here is how to prepare.
Tip 1: Request Both Acuity AND Field Testing
C&P examiners only test visual fields when there is a "medical indication." If your condition affects peripheral vision (glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, TBI-related vision loss, diabetic retinopathy), explicitly request visual field testing when you file your claim. Do not assume the examiner will order it.
Tip 2: Verify the Equipment
If you are submitting private visual field test results, verify that the testing was performed on qualifying equipment: Goldmann kinetic perimeter, Humphrey Model 750 (or later version with kinetic Goldmann simulation), or Octopus Model 101 (or later version with kinetic Goldmann simulation). Standard Humphrey 24-2 or 30-2 automated static threshold tests do not qualify.
Tip 3: Ensure Two Readings Per Eye
For visual field examinations, the regulation requires at least two readings per eye. If your private perimetry report shows only one reading, the BVA may reject it. Ask your provider to perform the test with multiple recordings.
Tip 4: Bring Your Current Prescription
Since the VA rates on corrected vision, bring your most current glasses or contacts. If your prescription has changed recently, bring documentation of the change — and if the diopter difference between your eyes exceeds three, make sure the examiner documents it.
Tip 5: Document Treatment Visits
For conditions rated under the General Rating Formula (glaucoma, cataracts, uveitis, diabetic retinopathy), bring a complete list of every treatment visit in the past 12 months. Each qualifying visit counts toward your rating tier. The difference between 4 visits (20%) and 5 visits (40%) is significant.
Tip 6: Report Diplopia Accurately
If you experience double vision, describe exactly where in your visual field it occurs (up, down, left, right, central) and the conditions that trigger it. The examiner needs to map the diplopia to specific quadrants and degree ranges using a Goldmann perimeter chart. Occasional diplopia or diplopia correctable with spectacles is rated at 0%.
Tip 7: Mention All Secondary Conditions
Eye conditions frequently connect to other service-connected disabilities. TBI can cause visual field defects, diplopia, and photophobia. Diabetes causes retinopathy. Medications for service-connected conditions can cause cataracts or glaucoma. Make sure the examiner documents every connection.
If you have both acuity loss and field loss, cite § 4.77(c) in your claim submission. This section requires the VA to evaluate visual acuity and visual field defects separately and then combine them using the combined ratings table (§ 4.25). This combination rule is confirmed in BVA case law but rarely applied at the Regional Office level unless the veteran specifically invokes it.
Ready to File Your Vision Loss Claim?
Upload your records. VetAid identifies missing evidence, checks for SMC entitlements, and finds secondary connections.
Analyze My Claim FreeFrequently Asked Questions
The VA rates vision loss from 0% to 100% based on corrected visual acuity in both eyes, visual field loss, and muscle function (diplopia). Ratings are assigned under Diagnostic Codes 6061–6066 for visual acuity and DC 6080 for visual field defects. For example, both eyes at 20/200 corrected yields 70%, while blindness in both eyes yields 100% plus Special Monthly Compensation. Many eye diseases can also be rated under the General Rating Formula at 10%–60% based on the number of treatment visits in the past 12 months.
The VA uses corrected distance vision (with glasses or contacts) as the baseline for rating visual acuity under 38 CFR § 4.76. There is one important exception: the diopter exception under § 4.76(b)(1). If the corrective lens required for the poorer eye differs by more than three diopters from the better eye (and the difference is not from a congenital or developmental error), the VA will use whichever measurement — corrected or uncorrected — produces the higher combined rating. For aphakia (cataract surgery without lens replacement), the VA uses uncorrected visual acuity and adds a one-step worsening adjustment.
Yes. SMC-K (approximately $133 per month, additive) is available for blindness in one eye with only light perception remaining. SMC-L (approximately $3,327 per month) applies when both eyes are blind at 5/200 or worse, or when bilateral visual field contraction reaches 5 degrees or less. SMC-M and SMC-N provide even higher compensation for bilateral light-perception-only blindness and anatomical loss of both eyes, respectively. The field-based pathway to SMC-L (5 degrees or less bilateral concentric contraction) is one of the most under-utilized entitlements in the VA system.
Yes. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common secondary conditions linked to service-connected diabetes mellitus. It is rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (10% to 60% based on treatment visits) or on visual acuity and visual field loss, whichever produces the higher rating. You will need a current diagnosis from a qualified eye care provider, documentation of your service-connected diabetes, and a medical nexus opinion connecting the two conditions. For veterans with Agent Orange-related diabetes, this creates a two-step presumptive chain to service connection for retinopathy.