What happens during a C&P exam for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture)?

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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Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture)?

Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) (DC 6009) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118. Active residuals with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

Q: What rates 10% for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118 (DC 6009), a 10% rating for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) requires: Active residuals with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

Q: What rates 20% for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118 (DC 6009), a 20% rating for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) requires: 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

Q: What rates 40% for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118 (DC 6009), a 40% rating for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) requires: 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

Q: What rates 60% for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118 (DC 6009), a 60% rating for Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) requires: 7+ incapacitating episodes per year. For complex residuals, combine the General Formula evaluation with DC 6090 diplopia (entrapment), DC 7800 disfigurement, and any associated DC 6510 sinusitis under § 4.25.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) 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 600938 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6009

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

10–60%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Orbital Fracture (Blowout Fracture) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6009 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6009 (unhealed eye injury — primary anatomic code); diplopia residual may add DC 6090 rate-as per § 4.78; disfigurement may add DC 7800 per § 4.118 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

Fracture of the bony walls of the eye socket (orbit), most commonly the orbital floor (blowout fracture) or medial wall. Often caused by blunt force trauma. May cause enophthalmos (sunken eye), diplopia from muscle entrapment, infraorbital nerve numbness, and restricted eye movement.

Rating Criteria

10%

Active residuals with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

20%

3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

40%

5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

60%

7+ incapacitating episodes per year. For complex residuals, combine the General Formula evaluation with DC 6090 diplopia (entrapment), DC 7800 disfigurement, and any associated DC 6510 sinusitis under § 4.25.

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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