Visual Acuity 20/200 One Eye, Normal Other — VA Disability Rating (DC 6066)
Diagnostic Code 6066 · 38 CFR §4.79
What Is It?
Two corrections on this page. First, DC 6071 no longer exists — this pairing is evaluated under DC 6066. Second, the percentage is 20, not the 30 this page previously published: in DC 6066’s table, vision of 20/200 in one eye with 20/40 in the other is 20 percent. 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. If you hold 30 percent for this pairing under an older decision, that evaluation is not disturbed by the schedule change — § 3.951(a) again — but a new claim decided today reads off DC 6066. 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 |
|---|---|
| 20% | Corrected visual acuity of 20/200 (6/60) in one eye with 20/40 (6/12) in the other eye — 20 percent under DC 6066. |
Evidence Needed
Visual acuity testing of each eye separately, documentation of the traumatic event or condition causing unilateral vision loss, and evidence of how monocular vision affects depth perception and occupational function.
C&P Exam Tips
Emphasize the functional impact of monocular vision even when the other eye is normal. Loss of depth perception, reduced peripheral awareness on the blind side, and inability to perform tasks requiring binocular vision should all be documented.
How to File
File for the underlying eye disease or injury with best-corrected distance acuity for both eyes. Because § 4.75(c) treats a non-service-connected fellow eye as 20/40, a single-eye 20/200 claim usually resolves to this 20 percent row unless § 3.383(a) applies or there is anatomical loss.
Common Mistakes
Not claiming the functional impact of being effectively monocular (loss of depth perception, reduced visual field on one side). Not pursuing Special Monthly Compensation for loss of use of one eye if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have seen 30 percent quoted for 20/200 with a normal other eye. Which is right?
20 percent. The figure comes from DC 6066’s sub-block for vision of 20/200 in one eye: the other eye at 20/200 is 70, at 20/100 is 60, at 20/70 is 40, at 20/50 is 30, and at 20/40 is 20. The 30 percent belongs to the 20/50 pairing, one step better in the fellow eye.