Partial Loss of Eyelids — VA Disability Rating Criteria (DC 6032)

Diagnostic Code 6032 · 38 CFR §4.79

What Is It?

Diagnostic Code 6032 assigns no percentage of its own. The entry in 38 CFR 4.79 reads, in full, "Loss of eyelids, partial or complete: Separately evaluate both visual impairment due to eyelid loss and nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), and combine the evaluations." The code covers partial and complete loss alike, and the evaluation is built from two separate measurements that are then combined under 38 CFR 4.25. Visual impairment is measured under 38 CFR 4.75 through 4.78 and the visual codes at the end of 4.79: visual acuity (DCs 6061 through 6066), visual field defects (DC 6080), scotoma (DC 6081), and diplopia (DC 6090). Nonvisual impairment is chiefly disfigurement under DC 7800, which covers scars and other disfigurement of the head, face, or neck. DC 7800 assigns 10 percent with one characteristic of disfigurement; 30 percent with visible or palpable tissue loss and either gross distortion or asymmetry of one feature or paired set of features, or with two or three characteristics; 50 percent for two such features or four or five characteristics; and 80 percent for three or more features or six or more characteristics. The eyes, including the eyelids, are among the features it lists. Loss of eyelid tissue is the absence of a portion or all of one or both eyelids, typically from burns, blast injuries, or surgical removal following combat trauma. The eyelids protect the eye from debris and distribute tears across the surface. Their loss can lead to chronic dry eye, corneal damage, and sensitivity to light.

Rating Criteria

Evidence Needed

Photographs documenting the eyelid tissue loss, ophthalmology records showing any secondary corneal changes from exposure, records of the traumatic event, documentation of any reconstructive surgeries performed, and current treatment records for dry eye or corneal problems caused by incomplete lid closure. Unretouched color photographs matter in particular: Note (3) to DC 7800 says to take them into consideration when evaluating disfigurement. For the visual half of the evaluation, best-corrected visual acuity and formal visual field testing.

C&P Exam Tips

Request that the examiner photograph the eyelid defect and measure the extent of tissue loss. Ask them to document whether the eye can fully close and whether corneal exposure is present. Ask that visual acuity and visual fields be measured as well, since the visual half of the evaluation is built from them. Describe symptoms like tearing, dryness, foreign body sensation, and light sensitivity that result from the eyelid loss.

How to File

File under DC 6032 with documentation of the service-connected traumatic event and current photographs. Expect the decision to name other codes: DC 6032 assigns no percentage itself, so visual impairment is evaluated under the visual codes and disfigurement under DC 7800, and the two evaluations are combined. If the lid no longer closes fully, say so in the claim so that the effects on the eye are examined.

Common Mistakes

The most common mistake is accepting a decision that evaluates only one half of the code: DC 6032 directs a separate evaluation of visual impairment and of nonvisual impairment such as disfigurement, and a combination of the two. Not providing unretouched color photographs, which Note (3) to DC 7800 says are taken into consideration, is another. Failing to document the injury event in service records is a third.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage does DC 6032 pay?

None by itself. DC 6032 has no rating column in 38 CFR 4.79. It instructs VA to separately evaluate the visual impairment due to eyelid loss and the nonvisual impairment, such as disfigurement under DC 7800, and to combine the evaluations. Every percentage in the decision comes from those other codes.

Does DC 6032 cover partial loss or only complete loss?

Both. The schedule entry reads "Loss of eyelids, partial or complete," and the same instruction applies to either. What changes with the extent of loss is the evidence: how much vision is affected, and how much disfigurement DC 7800 finds.

Can I claim both partial eyelid loss and facial scarring?

The code builds this in. DC 6032 directs a separate evaluation of nonvisual impairment, e.g., disfigurement under DC 7800, alongside the visual impairment, and the two are combined. Disfigurement of the head, face, or neck, including scarring from the same injury, is evaluated under DC 7800 on its listed characteristics.

What if my partial eyelid loss causes chronic dry eye?

Dry eye resulting from incomplete eyelid closure should be documented. The corneal exposure from inadequate lid coverage directly causes dryness and may warrant its own evaluation.