Education · 38 CFR § 4.79 · Eyes and vision · not your rating · we do not file
Unhealed eye injury VA rating (DC 6009)
VA rates unhealed eye injury under diagnostic code 6009 in 38 CFR § 4.79. The rule book lists 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Unhealed eye injury.. Last checked against eCFR on 2026-10-10 (eCFR issue 2026-08-27). Official text: 38 CFR § 4.79 on eCFR.
Each rating level in plain English
- 60%: The published words look at: times a doctor prescribed bed rest; and how often it happens.
- 40%: The published words look at: times a doctor prescribed bed rest; and how often it happens.
- 20%: The published words look at: times a doctor prescribed bed rest; and how often it happens.
- 10%: The published words look at: times a doctor prescribed bed rest; and how often it happens.
Plain words come from our reading aid for the published words. They never add a symptom. The quotes below are the rule.
Exact words in 38 CFR § 4.79
General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye
60% · “With documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months”
40% · “With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months”
20% · “With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months”
10% · “With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months”
Source: § 4.79 Schedule of ratings—eye.
Notes printed with this code
“Note: This code includes orbital trauma, as well as penetrating or non-penetrating eye injury”
“Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation”
“Note (1): For the purposes of evaluation under 38 CFR 4.79, an incapacitating episode is an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes”
“Note (2): Examples of treatment may include but are not limited to: Systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents; intravitreal or periocular injections; laser treatments; or other surgical interventions”
“Note (3): For the purposes of evaluating visual impairment due to the particular condition, refer to 38 CFR 4.75-4.78 and to § 4.79, diagnostic codes 6061-6091”
What records usually show this
VA reads these things from your records: service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and the VA claim exam (C&P exam). The published words on this page talk about:
- Times a doctor prescribed bed rest: usually found in medical notes that record how long it lasted, or a doctor's order (for example prescribed bed rest), when those exist.
- How often it happens: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
Education only. This does not say you have any of these, and a record that mentions them does not decide a rating. Only write what is true for you. Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA claim exam (C&P exam)
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Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Unhealed eye injury (DC 6009)?
38 CFR § 4.79 lists 10%, 20%, 40%, and 60% for diagnostic code 6009. VA decides which line fits from the evidence. This page is not your rating.
Where do these words come from?
They are quoted from the public eCFR copy of 38 CFR § 4.79, last checked 2026-10-10. The official page is linked on this page so you can check every word.
Does this page tell me what my rating will be?
No. It shows what the published rule book says. It does not predict a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount, and it does not say you have this condition.
Who can file a VA claim for me for free?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can prepare and file a claim with you at no cost. VA lists accredited representatives on VA.gov. We do not file.
This page quotes the public VA rule book. It is not your rating and not your pay. We do not say you have this condition. We do not file. You, or a free accredited representative, file with VA.
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