VA Disability Rating for Unhealed Eye Injury (DC 6009)
Diagnostic Code 6009 · 38 CFR §4.79
What Is It?
Diagnostic code 6009 covers unhealed eye injuries, including orbital trauma as well as penetrating and non-penetrating eye injuries. This code applies when an eye injury sustained during service has not fully healed and continues to cause symptoms or complications. In veterans, these injuries commonly result from blast exposure, shrapnel, foreign body penetration, blunt force trauma, or training accidents. The ongoing effects may include chronic pain, visual disturbance, structural damage to the eye or orbit, and risk of further complications like infection or retinal detachment. The VA rates under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye.
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 60% | Seven or more incapacitating episodes requiring treatment visits during the past 12 months, or visual impairment equivalent to this level. |
| 40% | At least five but fewer than seven treatment visits for incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months. |
| 20% | At least three but fewer than five treatment visits for incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months. |
| 10% | At least one but fewer than three treatment visits for incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months. |
Evidence Needed
Documentation of the original in-service injury is critical, including service treatment records and incident reports. Ophthalmology records documenting the ongoing effects of the injury, visual acuity and visual field testing, imaging showing structural damage to the eye or orbit, and surgical records if procedures were performed are all important evidence.
C&P Exam Tips
Describe the original injury in detail including the mechanism (blast, shrapnel, blunt force). Document all ongoing symptoms including pain, visual disturbance, light sensitivity, and tearing. Have both visual acuity and visual field testing done. If you have had surgeries related to the injury, bring those records. Explain how the unhealed injury affects your daily activities and employment.
How to File
File under DC 6009 with documentation of the in-service injury and ongoing ophthalmology records. The VA rates based on either incapacitating episodes or the resulting visual impairment, whichever is higher. If the injury has caused secondary conditions like retinal detachment, cataracts, or glaucoma, file those separately.
Common Mistakes
Not connecting current eye problems to the original in-service injury is the most common mistake. Veterans also frequently fail to document ongoing treatment visits that count toward the incapacitating episodes rating. Not claiming secondary conditions that developed from the original injury, such as traumatic cataracts or glaucoma, is another missed opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an unhealed eye injury?
An unhealed eye injury is any eye trauma from service that has not fully resolved and continues to cause symptoms, require treatment, or create risk of complications. This includes retained foreign bodies, corneal or scleral scars that cause ongoing symptoms, orbital fractures with lasting effects, and any eye injury requiring continued medical management.
Can orbital fractures be rated under this code?
Yes. The CFR specifically notes that DC 6009 includes orbital trauma. If you sustained an orbital fracture during service that continues to cause problems such as double vision, restricted eye movement, or cosmetic deformity, it can be rated under this code or under the specific visual impairment codes, whichever is higher.