Visual Acuity 20/40 Bilateral — VA Disability Rating (DC 6066)

Diagnostic Code 6066 · 38 CFR §4.79

What Is It?

DC 6079 no longer exists. Corrected visual acuity of 20/40 in both eyes is the bottom row of DC 6066’s table and evaluates at 0 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. A 0 percent evaluation is still a grant of service connection, and that matters: it fixes the effective date, it keeps the condition on the rating sheet, and it means a later worsening is an increase claim rather than a fresh service-connection fight. 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

Evidence Needed

Visual acuity testing showing 20/40 in each eye, documentation of the service-connected condition causing the vision changes, and evidence of any symptoms not captured by acuity alone (glare sensitivity, night vision problems, pain).

C&P Exam Tips

Even though the acuity rating may be 0 percent, document all visual symptoms including light sensitivity, pain, and functional difficulties. These may support a rating under the underlying condition code rather than the acuity combination tables.

How to File

File for the underlying eye disease or injury even when acuity is 20/40 — the goal is the service-connection grant, not the percentage. Submit best-corrected acuity for both eyes and a visual field test; field loss is rated separately under DC 6080 and can be compensable while acuity is not.

Common Mistakes

Giving up because 20/40 bilateral is non-compensable for acuity. The underlying condition may still warrant a compensable rating. Not accepting the 0 percent connection which is valuable for future increased ratings if vision worsens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 0 percent rating worth filing for?

Usually yes. Service connection at 0 percent locks in the effective date, makes any later increase a straightforward claim, and can support secondary claims. It also counts toward VA health care priority group placement.

Why does the code on my paperwork say 6079?

DC 6079 was one of the one-combination-per-code acuity entries retired when VA rewrote the eye schedule effective December 10, 2008. The pairing it described is now the 0 percent row of DC 6066.