What happens during a C&P exam for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field?

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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Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field?

Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field (DC 6080) is rated at 30%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080. DC 6080 verbatim — "Loss of inferior half of visual field, Bilateral": 30 percent. Loss of the lower half of the visual field in both eyes (bilateral inferior altitudinal defect). Most commonly bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), bilateral upper branch retinal artery occlusion, or bilateral occipital infarcts affecting the upper bank of the calcarine cortex. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)" under the DC 6066 acuity table — use whichever is higher per the § 4.79 General Rule.

Q: What rates 30% for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080?

Under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 (DC 6080), a 30% rating for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field requires: DC 6080 verbatim — "Loss of inferior half of visual field, Bilateral": 30 percent. Loss of the lower half of the visual field in both eyes (bilateral inferior altitudinal defect). Most commonly bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), bilateral upper branch retinal artery occlusion, or bilateral occipital infarcts affecting the upper bank of the calcarine cortex. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)" under the DC 6066 acuity table — use whichever is higher per the § 4.79 General Rule.

Q: What rates 10% for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080?

Under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 (DC 6080), a 10% rating for Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field requires: DC 6080 verbatim — "Loss of inferior half of visual field, Unilateral": 10 percent. Loss of the lower half of the visual field in one eye only, with normal fellow eye. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)" — evaluate the affected eye through the DC 6066 acuity table if it yields a higher rating.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field VA claim?

Key evidence for a Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field 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 608038 C.F.R. § 4.77

Diagnostic Code

DC 6080

38 C.F.R. § 4.77

Rating Range

10–30%

2 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Loss of Inferior Half of Visual Field is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6080 of 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 across 2 severity tiers (30% / 10%). 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

Loss of the lower half of the visual field in one or both eyes (inferior altitudinal defect). Most commonly caused by anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), branch retinal artery occlusion of superior vessels, or occipital cortex injury. The functional impact on reading and walking is significant — the schedule rates bilateral inferior loss at 30% (the same as bitemporal/homonymous hemianopia).

Rating Criteria

30%

DC 6080 verbatim — "Loss of inferior half of visual field, Bilateral": 30 percent. Loss of the lower half of the visual field in both eyes (bilateral inferior altitudinal defect). Most commonly bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), bilateral upper branch retinal artery occlusion, or bilateral occipital infarcts affecting the upper bank of the calcarine cortex. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)" under the DC 6066 acuity table — use whichever is higher per the § 4.79 General Rule.

10%

DC 6080 verbatim — "Loss of inferior half of visual field, Unilateral": 10 percent. Loss of the lower half of the visual field in one eye only, with normal fellow eye. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21)" — evaluate the affected eye through the DC 6066 acuity table if it yields a higher rating.

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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