Visual Acuity 20/200 Bilateral — VA Disability Rating (DC 6066)
Diagnostic Code 6066 · 38 CFR §4.79
What Is It?
DC 6070 no longer exists, and the rating did not change with it: 20/200 in both eyes is 70 percent, now assigned under DC 6066. VA rewrote the eye schedule effective December 10, 2008 (73 FR 66543) and collapsed the old one-combination-per-code central-visual-acuity block into DCs 6061 through 6066. By its own terms that rewrite applies to all applications for benefits received on or after December 10, 2008. If you already hold a rating under the retired code, 38 CFR § 3.951(a) is the provision that matters: a readjustment to the rating schedule is not by itself grounds for reducing an evaluation already in effect unless medical evidence shows the disability has actually improved. The diagnostic code still appears in this page’s web address because that address has not changed; the code the page teaches has. This is the level that meets the statutory definition of legal blindness — 20/200 or worse in the better eye with best correction — which matters for state benefits, tax exemptions and blind rehabilitation services independently of the VA percentage. Two provisions decide most one-eye claims. Under 38 CFR § 4.75(c), if only one eye is service-connected the other eye is considered to be 20/40 — subject to § 3.383(a). Under § 4.75(d), visual impairment of one eye alone cannot exceed 30 percent unless there is anatomical loss of the eye. Acuity is measured corrected, at distance, with central fixation (§ 4.76(b)(1)).
Rating Criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 70% | Corrected visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in both eyes — 70 percent under DC 6066. |
Evidence Needed
Best-corrected visual acuity documentation, certification of legal blindness, low-vision rehabilitation records, documentation of all assistive services and adaptive equipment, evidence of inability to perform substantial gainful employment, and records supporting the service-connected cause.
C&P Exam Tips
Document all adaptive equipment and services. Make clear that this is legal blindness in both eyes. If you receive aid and attendance or housebound benefits, document why. State clearly that you cannot drive and describe all activities requiring assistance.
How to File
File for the underlying eye condition with best-corrected acuity for both eyes. At this level ask VA about Blind Rehabilitation Service and the visual impairment services team (VIST) coordinator, and check whether § 3.350 special monthly compensation applies — footnote 1 in the acuity table marks the rows that trigger that review.
Common Mistakes
Not filing for all available special monthly compensation. Not applying for vocational rehabilitation services. Not obtaining a formal legal blindness certification which qualifies you for additional federal and state benefits beyond VA compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 70 percent for vision qualify me as legally blind?
Legal blindness is a vision definition, not a percentage: 20/200 or worse in the better eye with best correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less. Bilateral 20/200 meets it. The 70 percent is the VA schedular evaluation for that pairing under DC 6066.
My award letter still says DC 6070.
That is a retired code on a valid award. 38 CFR § 3.951(a) provides that a readjustment to the rating schedule is not grounds for reducing an evaluation already in effect unless medical evidence establishes the disability has actually improved.