What rates 20% for Retinal Vein Occlusion under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (DC 6006), a 20% rating for Retinal Vein Occlusion requires: 3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 40% for Retinal Vein Occlusion under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (DC 6006), a 40% rating for Retinal Vein Occlusion requires: 5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

What rates 60% for Retinal Vein Occlusion under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (DC 6006), a 60% rating for Retinal Vein Occlusion requires: 7+ incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on permanent acuity / field loss if higher.

What happens during a C&P exam for Retinal Vein Occlusion?

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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Retinal Vein Occlusion

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Retinal Vein Occlusion?

Retinal Vein Occlusion (DC 6006) is rated at 10%, 20%, 40%, 60% under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006. Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes (typically anti-VEGF injection cycles) per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

Q: What rates 10% for Retinal Vein Occlusion under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 (DC 6006), a 10% rating for Retinal Vein Occlusion requires: Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes (typically anti-VEGF injection cycles) per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Retinal Vein Occlusion VA claim?

Key evidence for a Retinal Vein Occlusion 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 6006 | 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 | 

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

Retinal Vein Occlusion is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6006 of 38 CFR § 4.79, DC 6006 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

Blockage of a retinal vein (central or branch), causing retinal hemorrhage, edema, and vision loss. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) affects the entire retina; branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) affects a portion. Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, and hypercoagulable states.

RATING CRITERIA (4 LEVELS)

10%

Active pathology with 1 or 2 incapacitating episodes (typically anti-VEGF injection cycles) per year. Or rate on visual impairment if higher.

20%

3 or 4 incapacitating episodes per year.

40%

5 or 6 incapacitating episodes per year.

60%

7+ incapacitating episodes per year. Or rate on permanent acuity / field loss 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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