What happens during a C&P exam for Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes)?

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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Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes)?

Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) (DC 6061) is rated at 100% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6061--6063. Four verbatim DC pathways from § 4.79 rate 100%: (1) DC 6061 — Anatomical loss of both eyes. (2) DC 6062 — No more than light perception in both eyes. (3) DC 6063 — Anatomical loss of one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). (4) DC 6064 — No more than light perception in one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). Footnote 1 to each pathway (verbatim): "Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350." Schedular 100% combines with SMC entitlements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l)-(p).

Q: What rates 100% for Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6061--6063?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6061--6063 (DC 6061), a 100% rating for Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) requires: Four verbatim DC pathways from § 4.79 rate 100%: (1) DC 6061 — Anatomical loss of both eyes. (2) DC 6062 — No more than light perception in both eyes. (3) DC 6063 — Anatomical loss of one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). (4) DC 6064 — No more than light perception in one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). Footnote 1 to each pathway (verbatim): "Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350." Schedular 100% combines with SMC entitlements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l)-(p).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) 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 606138 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6061

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

100–100%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Blindness, Bilateral (Both Eyes) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6061 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6061--6063 across 1 severity tier (100%). 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

Total loss of vision in both eyes, encompassing four verbatim § 4.79 pathways: anatomical loss of both eyes (DC 6061), no more than light perception in both eyes (DC 6062), anatomical loss of one eye with the other eye 5/200 or worse (DC 6063), and no more than light perception in one eye with the other eye 5/200 or worse (DC 6064). Each pathway triggers § 4.79 footnote 1: "Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350."

Rating Criteria

100%

Four verbatim DC pathways from § 4.79 rate 100%: (1) DC 6061 — Anatomical loss of both eyes. (2) DC 6062 — No more than light perception in both eyes. (3) DC 6063 — Anatomical loss of one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). (4) DC 6064 — No more than light perception in one eye, in the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60). Footnote 1 to each pathway (verbatim): "Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350." Schedular 100% combines with SMC entitlements under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l)-(p).

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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