What are the VA rating percentages for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy)?

Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) (DC 6006) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy). Active TED pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 10% for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy) (DC 6006), a 10% rating for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) requires: Active TED pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 20% for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy) (DC 6006), a 20% rating for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) requires: 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 40% for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy) (DC 6006), a 40% rating for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) requires: 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 60% for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy) (DC 6006), a 60% rating for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) requires: 7+ incapacitating episodes per year. For dysthyroid optic neuropathy with severe vision loss, rate under DC 6026 / acuity table if higher.

What happens during a C&P exam for Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy)?

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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy)

Q: What evidence do I need for a Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) 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

10–60%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.79

Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Ophthalmopathy) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6006 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (by analogy) 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

Autoimmune inflammatory disorder affecting the extraocular muscles and orbital fat in patients with Graves disease or other thyroid disorders. Causes proptosis (bulging eyes), diplopia, eye pain, eyelid retraction, and in severe cases, compressive optic neuropathy with vision loss.

Rating Criteria

10%

Active TED pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes per year.

20%

3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

40%

5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

60%

7+ incapacitating episodes per year. For dysthyroid optic neuropathy with severe vision loss, rate under DC 6026 / acuity table if higher.

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

LOADING