What are the VA rating percentages for Ocular Surface Disease?

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

What rates 10% for Ocular Surface Disease under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy)?

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

What rates 20% for Ocular Surface Disease under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy)?

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

What rates 40% for Ocular Surface Disease under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy)?

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

What rates 60% for Ocular Surface Disease under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy) (DC 6001), a 60% rating for Ocular Surface Disease requires: Active pathology with 7+ incapacitating episodes in the past 12 months.

What happens during a C&P exam for Ocular Surface Disease?

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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Ocular Surface Disease

Q: What evidence do I need for a Ocular Surface Disease VA claim?

Key evidence for a Ocular Surface Disease 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

Ocular Surface Disease is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6001 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6001 (keratopathy) 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

Broad term encompassing conditions affecting the ocular surface, including severe dry eye, exposure keratopathy, chemical burns, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and ocular cicatricial pemphigoid. Prevalent in veterans exposed to environmental hazards (burn pits, chemical agents, desert conditions).

Rating Criteria

10%

Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes requiring treatment 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+ 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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