What happens during a C&P exam for Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field?

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.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field?

Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field (DC 6080) is rated at 10% under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080. DC 6080 verbatim — TWO pathways yield 10%: (a) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Bilateral" — loss of the upper half of the visual field in both eyes. Most commonly bilateral lower branch retinal artery occlusion or bilateral inferior occipital infarcts affecting the lower bank of the calcarine cortex. (b) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Unilateral" — affected eye only, normal fellow eye. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)" under the DC 6066 acuity table.

Q: What rates 10% for Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080?

Under 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 (DC 6080), a 10% rating for Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field requires: DC 6080 verbatim — TWO pathways yield 10%: (a) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Bilateral" — loss of the upper half of the visual field in both eyes. Most commonly bilateral lower branch retinal artery occlusion or bilateral inferior occipital infarcts affecting the lower bank of the calcarine cortex. (b) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Unilateral" — affected eye only, normal fellow eye. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)" under the DC 6066 acuity table.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field VA claim?

Key evidence for a Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field 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 6080 | 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 | 

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

Loss of Superior Half of Visual Field is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6080 of 38 CFR § 4.77, DC 6080 across 1 severity tier (10%). 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

Loss of the upper half of the visual field in one or both eyes (superior altitudinal defect). Most commonly caused by branch retinal artery occlusion of inferior vessels or inferior occipital cortex injury. The schedule rates both bilateral and unilateral superior loss at 10% — functionally less disabling than inferior loss (which rates 30% bilateral), reflecting the asymmetric impact of upper vs. lower field on reading and ambulation.

RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)

10%

DC 6080 verbatim — TWO pathways yield 10%: (a) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Bilateral" — loss of the upper half of the visual field in both eyes. Most commonly bilateral lower branch retinal artery occlusion or bilateral inferior occipital infarcts affecting the lower bank of the calcarine cortex. (b) "Loss of superior half of visual field, Unilateral" — affected eye only, normal fellow eye. Alternative (verbatim): "Or evaluate each affected eye as 20/50 (6/15)" under the DC 6066 acuity table.

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.

Secondary Conditions Explorer

736 secondaries mapped

Calculate Your Rating

VA math + dollar impact

RELATED TOOLS

Rating Calculator Secondaries Map C&P Exam Prep PACT Act Scanner 2026 Rates

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

LOADING