What happens during a C&P exam for Retinal Artery Occlusion?

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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Retinal Artery Occlusion

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Retinal Artery Occlusion?

Retinal Artery Occlusion (DC 6006) is rated at 0% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006. Rate on resulting permanent visual impairment after the acute event has stabilized: acuity loss (DCs 6061-6066) and/or visual field defect (DCs 6080/6081 — typically severe sector loss after CRAO/BRAO), whichever yields the higher evaluation. Active-treatment incapacitating episodes (anti-VEGF for secondary neovascularization, retinal laser) rate under the General Rating Formula.

Q: What rates 0% for Retinal Artery Occlusion under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (DC 6006), a 0% rating for Retinal Artery Occlusion requires: Rate on resulting permanent visual impairment after the acute event has stabilized: acuity loss (DCs 6061-6066) and/or visual field defect (DCs 6080/6081 — typically severe sector loss after CRAO/BRAO), whichever yields the higher evaluation. Active-treatment incapacitating episodes (anti-VEGF for secondary neovascularization, retinal laser) rate under the General Rating Formula.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Retinal Artery Occlusion VA claim?

Key evidence for a Retinal Artery Occlusion 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 600638 C.F.R. § 4.79

Diagnostic Code

DC 6006

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Rating Range

0–0%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Retinal Artery Occlusion is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6006 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 across 1 severity tier (0%). 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

Blockage of a retinal artery (central or branch), causing sudden, painless vision loss due to retinal ischemia. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an ophthalmologic emergency causing severe vision loss. Often associated with carotid artery disease, cardiac emboli, or hypercoagulable states.

Rating Criteria

Rate on resulting permanent visual impairment after the acute event has stabilized: acuity loss (DCs 6061-6066) and/or visual field defect (DCs 6080/6081 — typically severe sector loss after CRAO/BRAO), whichever yields the higher evaluation. Active-treatment incapacitating episodes (anti-VEGF for secondary neovascularization, retinal laser) rate under the General Rating Formula.

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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