What happens during a C&P exam for Aphakia (Absence of Lens)?

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.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

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Aphakia (Absence of Lens)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Aphakia (Absence of Lens)?

Aphakia (Absence of Lens) (DC 6029) is rated at 30% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6029. Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens, MINIMUM rating regardless of acuity. Per § 4.79, "evaluate based on visual impairment, and elevate the resulting level of visual impairment one step." The 30% minimum applies even if best-corrected acuity is otherwise non-compensable.

Q: What rates 30% for Aphakia (Absence of Lens) under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6029?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6029 (DC 6029), a 30% rating for Aphakia (Absence of Lens) requires: Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens, MINIMUM rating regardless of acuity. Per § 4.79, "evaluate based on visual impairment, and elevate the resulting level of visual impairment one step." The 30% minimum applies even if best-corrected acuity is otherwise non-compensable.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Aphakia (Absence of Lens) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Aphakia (Absence of Lens) 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 6029 | 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6029 | 

✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.79 (Eye) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team

Aphakia (Absence of Lens) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6029 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6029 across 1 severity tier (30%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Absence of the crystalline lens of the eye, either from surgical removal (after cataract surgery without intraocular lens implant), trauma, or congenital absence. Causes severe refractive error and loss of accommodation. Modern cataract surgery with IOL implant is technically pseudophakia, not aphakia.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

30%

Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens, MINIMUM rating regardless of acuity. Per § 4.79, "evaluate based on visual impairment, and elevate the resulting level of visual impairment one step." The 30% minimum applies even if best-corrected acuity is otherwise non-compensable.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-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

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

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SOURCES & EDITORIAL

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.79 (Eye). Source verified 2026-05-17 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison 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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