What are the VA rating percentages for Lagophthalmos?

Lagophthalmos (DC 6022) is rated at 10%, 20% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020. Unilateral lagophthalmos.

What rates 10% for Lagophthalmos under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 (DC 6022), a 10% rating for Lagophthalmos requires: Unilateral lagophthalmos.

What rates 20% for Lagophthalmos under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 (DC 6022), a 20% rating for Lagophthalmos requires: Bilateral lagophthalmos.

What happens during a C&P exam for Lagophthalmos?

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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CLAIM RECON INTEL

Lagophthalmos

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

Key evidence for a Lagophthalmos 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 602238 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6022

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

10–20%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Lagophthalmos is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6022 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 20%). 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

Inability to fully close the eyelids, leaving the cornea partially exposed. May be caused by facial nerve (CN VII) palsy, scarring from burns or surgery, thyroid eye disease, or trauma. Results in corneal exposure, dryness, irritation, and risk of corneal ulceration.

Rating Criteria

10%

Unilateral lagophthalmos.

20%

Bilateral lagophthalmos.

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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