What happens during a C&P exam for Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI)?

Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) (DC 8205) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8205. Abducens (CN VI) paralysis is rated under § 4.79 DC 6090 on the resulting diplopia, not under § 4.124a peripheral- or cranial-nerve codes. The percentage depends on the field of gaze in which diplopia occurs and is converted to an "equivalent visual acuity" then plugged into the § 4.79 visual-impairment combined table. Per § 4.31, occasional diplopia or diplopia correctable with prism spectacles is rated 0%.

Q: What rates 0% for Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8205?

Under 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8205 (DC 8205), a 0% rating for Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) requires: Abducens (CN VI) paralysis is rated under § 4.79 DC 6090 on the resulting diplopia, not under § 4.124a peripheral- or cranial-nerve codes. The percentage depends on the field of gaze in which diplopia occurs and is converted to an "equivalent visual acuity" then plugged into the § 4.79 visual-impairment combined table. Per § 4.31, occasional diplopia or diplopia correctable with prism spectacles is rated 0%.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 820538 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Diagnostic Code

DC 8205

38 C.F.R. § 4.124a

Rating Range

0–0%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Abducens Nerve Paralysis (CN VI) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 8205 of 38 CFR § 4.124a, DC 8205 across 1 severity tier (0%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Paralysis of cranial nerve VI causing inability to abduct the eye, resulting in diplopia (double vision).

Rating Criteria

Abducens (CN VI) paralysis is rated under § 4.79 DC 6090 on the resulting diplopia, not under § 4.124a peripheral- or cranial-nerve codes. The percentage depends on the field of gaze in which diplopia occurs and is converted to an "equivalent visual acuity" then plugged into the § 4.79 visual-impairment combined table. Per § 4.31, occasional diplopia or diplopia correctable with prism spectacles is rated 0%.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.79 (Eye). Source verified 2026-05-15 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.79 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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