What are the VA rating percentages for Lagophthalmos?

Lagophthalmos (DC 6022) is rated at 10%, 20% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020. Unilateral lagophthalmos.

What rates 10% for Lagophthalmos under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 (DC 6022), a 10% rating for Lagophthalmos requires: Unilateral lagophthalmos.

What rates 20% for Lagophthalmos under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 (DC 6022), a 20% rating for Lagophthalmos requires: Bilateral lagophthalmos.

What happens during a C&P exam for Lagophthalmos?

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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Lagophthalmos

Q: What evidence do I need for a Lagophthalmos VA claim?

Key evidence for a Lagophthalmos 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 6022 | 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 | 

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

Lagophthalmos is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6022 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6020 across 2 severity tiers (10% / 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

Inability to fully close the eyelids, leaving the cornea partially exposed. May be caused by facial nerve (CN VII) palsy, scarring from burns or surgery, thyroid eye disease, or trauma. Results in corneal exposure, dryness, irritation, and risk of corneal ulceration.

RATING CRITERIA (2 LEVELS)

10%

Unilateral lagophthalmos.

20%

Bilateral lagophthalmos.

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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