What rates 20% for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy) (DC 6036), a 20% rating for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals requires: Active pathology with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 40% for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy) (DC 6036), a 40% rating for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals requires: Active pathology with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 60% for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy) (DC 6036), a 60% rating for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals requires: Active pathology with 7+ incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

What happens during a C&P exam for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals?

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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Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals?

Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals (DC 6036) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy). Status post corneal transplant with pain, photophobia, or glare sensitivity. Minimum rating per DC 6036. Or General Rating Formula 1-2 episodes/year, whichever higher.

Q: What rates 10% for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy) (DC 6036), a 10% rating for Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals requires: Status post corneal transplant with pain, photophobia, or glare sensitivity. Minimum rating per DC 6036. Or General Rating Formula 1-2 episodes/year, whichever higher.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals VA claim?

Key evidence for a Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals 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 6036 | 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (by analogy) | 

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

Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty) Residuals is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6036 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6036 (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.

OVERVIEW

Residual effects after corneal transplant surgery (penetrating keratoplasty or lamellar keratoplasty), including graft rejection risk, residual astigmatism, ongoing need for immunosuppressive eye drops, and potential for decreased visual acuity.

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

10%

Status post corneal transplant with pain, photophobia, or glare sensitivity. Minimum rating per DC 6036. Or General Rating Formula 1-2 episodes/year, whichever higher.

20%

Active pathology with 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

40%

Active pathology with 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

60%

Active pathology with 7+ incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

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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