What rates 0% for Blepharitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) (DC 6018), a 0% rating for Blepharitis requires: Inactive disease without compensable residuals.

What rates 10% for Blepharitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) (DC 6018), a 10% rating for Blepharitis requires: Active chronic blepharitis — minimum 10% under the General Rating Formula. Increase per General Formula tiers based on incapacitating-episode count.

What rates 20% for Blepharitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) (DC 6018), a 20% rating for Blepharitis requires: Active disease with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 40% for Blepharitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) (DC 6018), a 40% rating for Blepharitis requires: Active disease with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 60% for Blepharitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) (DC 6018), a 60% rating for Blepharitis requires: Active disease with 7+ incapacitating episodes per year.

What happens during a C&P exam for Blepharitis?

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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Blepharitis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Blepharitis?

Blepharitis (DC 6018) is rated at 0%, 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis). Inactive disease without compensable residuals.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Blepharitis VA claim?

Key evidence for a Blepharitis 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 601838 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6018

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

0–60%

5 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Blepharitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6018 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6018 (rated by analogy to chronic conjunctivitis) across 5 severity tiers (0% / 10% / 20% / 40% / 60%). 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

Chronic inflammation of the eyelid margins, causing redness, swelling, crusting, and irritation. Types include anterior (affecting the base of the eyelashes) and posterior (affecting the meibomian glands). Often co-occurs with dry eye syndrome and rosacea.

Rating Criteria

Inactive disease without compensable residuals.

10%

Active chronic blepharitis — minimum 10% under the General Rating Formula. Increase per General Formula tiers based on incapacitating-episode count.

20%

Active disease with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

40%

Active disease with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

60%

Active disease with 7+ incapacitating episodes per year.

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 2026-05-17 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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