EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Visual Acuity Impairment (Corrected)
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.79 (Eye) · reviewed 2026-05-17 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
Visual Acuity Impairment (Corrected) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6066 of 38 CFR § 4.76, § 4.79, DC 6063--6066 across 1 severity tier (0%). 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
VA rates visual acuity impairment based on best-corrected vision using glasses, contact lenses, or intraocular lenses. Per § 4.76(a), only best-corrected Snellen acuity counts — refractive error itself is not service-connectable (§ 3.303(c)); only underlying pathology causing the acuity loss is rateable. Even with correction, residual visual impairment from disease, injury, or surgical complications may warrant a compensable rating up through DC 6066's paired-acuity sub-tables.
RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)
0%
This entry documents the METHODOLOGY for § 4.79 acuity ratings, not a standalone rating. Per § 4.76(a), VA uses BEST-CORRECTED Snellen central visual acuity measured with the veteran's current refractive correction (glasses, contact lenses, IOL). Refractive error itself is not service-connected (§ 3.303(c)) — only the underlying pathology causing acuity loss is rateable.
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