EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Concentric Contraction of Visual Field
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.79 (Eye) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
Concentric Contraction of Visual Field is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6080 of 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 across 6 severity tiers (100% / 70% / 50% / 30% / 20%…). 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
Narrowing of the peripheral visual field from all sides toward the center, creating a "tunnel vision" effect. Caused by glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, optic nerve damage, or neurological conditions. Rated under DC 6080 based on the remaining field of vision in degrees (5°/6-15°/16-30°/31-45°/46-60° rows) with separate bilateral and unilateral columns. The 5° bilateral row triggers § 4.79 footnote 1 SMC review.
RATING CRITERIA (6 LEVELS)
100%
DC 6080 verbatim — "Concentric contraction of visual field with remaining field of 5 degrees, Bilateral": 100 percent. Footnote 1: "Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350." Alternative: evaluate each affected eye as 5/200 (1.5/60) under the DC 6066 acuity table.
70%
DC 6080 verbatim — "With remaining field of 6 to 15 degrees, Bilateral": 70 percent. Alternative: evaluate each affected eye as 20/200 (6/60).
50%
DC 6080 verbatim — "With remaining field of 16 to 30 degrees, Bilateral": 50 percent. Alternative: evaluate each affected eye as 20/100 (6/30).
30%
DC 6080 verbatim — TWO pathways yield 30%: (a) "With remaining field of 31 to 45 degrees, Bilateral" — alternative: evaluate each affected eye as 20/70 (6/21); OR (b) "With remaining field of 5 degrees, Unilateral" (with normal fellow eye) — alternative: evaluate the affected eye as 5/200 (1.5/60).
20%
DC 6080 verbatim — "With remaining field of 6 to 15 degrees, Unilateral" (with normal fellow eye): 20 percent. Alternative: evaluate the affected eye as 20/200 (6/60).
10%
DC 6080 verbatim — FOUR pathways yield 10%: (a) "With remaining field of 46 to 60 degrees, Bilateral" — rate-as 20/50 (6/15); (b) "With remaining field of 16 to 30 degrees, Unilateral" — rate-as 20/100 (6/30); (c) "With remaining field of 31 to 45 degrees, Unilateral" — rate-as 20/70 (6/21); (d) "With remaining field of 46 to 60 degrees, Unilateral" — rate-as 20/50 (6/15). Each is evaluated with normal fellow eye.
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.
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.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026