What rates 10% for Keratitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (DC 6001), a 10% rating for Keratitis requires: Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes requiring treatment by a physician in the past 12 months.

What rates 20% for Keratitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (DC 6001), a 20% rating for Keratitis requires: Active pathology with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

What rates 40% for Keratitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (DC 6001), a 40% rating for Keratitis requires: Active pathology with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

What rates 60% for Keratitis under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (DC 6001), a 60% rating for Keratitis requires: Active pathology with 7 or more incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

What happens during a C&P exam for Keratitis?

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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Keratitis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Keratitis?

Keratitis (DC 6001) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001. Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes requiring treatment by a physician in the past 12 months.

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

Key evidence for a Keratitis 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 600138 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6001

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

10–60%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Keratitis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6001 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 across 4 severity tiers (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

Inflammation of the cornea that can be caused by infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic), trauma, contact lens wear, or autoimmune conditions. Symptoms include eye pain, redness, tearing, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Herpes simplex keratitis is a common recurrent form in veterans.

Rating Criteria

10%

Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes requiring treatment by a physician in the past 12 months.

20%

Active pathology with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

40%

Active pathology with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

60%

Active pathology with 7 or more incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

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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