Dry eye syndrome of bilateral lacrimal glands va disability

Q: How does the VA rating dry eye syndrome?

In regards to the veterans bilateral dry eye syndrome, the current 20 percent rating is the maximum schedular rating available for bilateral epiphora. The veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating under Code 6018 for conjunctivitis, because a 10 percent rating is the highest rating for active conjunctivitis.

Eye injuries, eyesight damage, and vision loss are common among military personnel. Veterans who suffer permanent or chronic injury to an eye during service may qualify for disability benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Although there are many eye injuries that are ratable by the VA, it’s not always easy to submit a successful claim and receive compensation. Having a skilled and experienced VA benefits attorney working with you can help ensure the best possible outcome for your claim. Below is a list of eye injuries that should qualify for VA benefits.

Table of Contents Show

These Eye Injuries That Should Qualify for VA Benefits
VA Rating Formula
Contact Cuddigan Law for VA Eye Disability Benefits
How will the VA rate my Eye conditions?
My condition wasn't diagnosed until after I was discharged. Can it qualify for VA disability?
Are my conditions eligible for a rating?
How do I apply to receive my ratings for my eye conditions?
If my claim is approved, what benefits will I receive?
How long does it take to receive my disability benefits?
How are the rating percentages assigned to my conditions?
My conditions have worsened. How do I increase my rating percentages?
How does the VA rating dry eye syndrome?
Is chronic dry eye a disability?
Is astigmatism a VA disability?
What is the VA disability rating for diplopia?

These Eye Injuries That Should Qualify for VA Benefits

Common eye conditions that are ratable by the VA include blindness, injuries that have not healed, and visual impairment. However, there are other conditions and diseases that may be directly service-connected or are secondary conditions, including:

The loss of one or both eyes
The loss of the eyebrows, eyelashes, or eyelids
Conjunctivitis-related conditions such as eye ulcers and inflammation of the cornea
Corneal conditions such as keratitis and dry eye
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Retinal conditions
Ptosis of one or both eyes
Tumors

VA Rating Formula

If you suffered an eye injury or condition that you can connect to your time in the military, the VA will likely give it a percentage rating that coincides with the amount of compensation you’ll receive. Here is a brief overview of that formula:

A rating of 10%. With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least one but less than three treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
A rating of 20%. With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least three but less than five treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
A rating of 40%. With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least five but less than seven treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.
A rating of 60%. With documented incapacitating episodes requiring seven or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months.

Contact Cuddigan Law for VA Eye Disability Benefits

If you have a service-connected eye injury that has disrupted your life and/or ability to work, we can help. The attorneys at Cuddigan Law have been supporting veterans for years, and we can assist you if you need VA disability benefits. Contact our office online or call us today, and speak to an intake specialist for free.

Topics:

Eye Conditions Overview
Eye Conditions Ratings

Eye Conditions Overview

The VA awards disability compensation for Eye conditions that are service-connected. The DoD will also rate service-connected Eye conditions as long as they also make the service member Unfit for Duty. For Reservists, the Eye condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify.

The Eye is a complex sensory organ consisting of many layers that combine together to create a vast network of sensors that enable three-dimensional sight. Our quality of vision is determined by how well our eyes can focus on an image (visual acuity), how well the muscles can control the movement of the eye, and the quality and extent of the visual range that can be seen (visual field).

Because of the complexity of the Eyes, the VASRD offers rating options that cover physical damage to individual parts of the Eyes, options that cover conditions affecting one, two, or all three areas of visual impairment (visual acuity, visual field, and muscle dysfunction), and options to rate on incapacitating episodes based on the number of treatments needed to treat the condition.

To honor the Pyramiding Principle, only a single rating can be given for multiple Eye conditions since it is basically impossible to separate the symptoms. In situations where multiple conditions are present, the Eyes will be rated using all of the symptoms combined together to reflect the overall functioning of the Eyes. Any exceptions to this rule will be noted directly in the code to which it applies (see The Eye Ratings page).

Return to Top

Eye Conditions Ratings

The VASRD offers ratings for the following conditions of the Eyes:

Loss of the Eye
Loss of vision
Conditions affecting the Visual Field of the Eyes
Conditions affecting the Muscle Function of the Eyes
Diseases of the Eye
Conjunctiva Conditions
Corneal Conditions
Retinal Conditions
Lens Conditions
Nerve Conditions
Eye Conditions Caused by Brain Damage
Conditions of the Eyelids and Tears
Loss of the Eyebrows and Eyelashes
Tuberculosis of the Eye
Cancer and Tumors of the Eye

If an Eye condition is not directly listed, it is rated under the code that best describes it or its dominant symptom.

In addition to or instead of the standard disability compensation for Eye conditions, the blindness in both Eyes or a single Eye when combined with other disabilities may also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation.

Return to Top

FAQs

How will the VA rate my Eye conditions?

The VA uses the rules of the VASRD to rate Eye conditions based on the level of disability remaining after the use of glasses or contacts. Check out our Eye Ratings page for the exact codes and ratings.

My condition wasn't diagnosed until after I was discharged. Can it qualify for VA disability?

The VA can only rate conditions that meet some type of service-connection requirement. For conditions diagnosed after service, the condition must either be a secondary condition caused by another service-connected condition, or it must be on the VA's Presumptive List.

Are my conditions eligible for a rating?

Your conditions are eligible to be rated by the VA if they are the result of your military service. You must be able to show proof of service-connection for each condition. For the DoD, they will rate your service-connected conditions as long as they also make you Unfit for Duty.

How do I apply to receive my ratings for my eye conditions?

If you are still in the military, then you can request your military physician to refer you to the MEB and start the IDES process. If you are already a veteran, you can submit a VA Disability Claim along with evidence of service-connection and all medical records regarding the conditions on the claim.

If my claim is approved, what benefits will I receive?

If you are rated 20% or less from the DoD, then you will receive a single separation payment. If you are rated 30% or more, you will receive full retirement benefits. From the VA, you will receive a monthly payment as well as full medical care from the VA for the qualifying conditions.

How long does it take to receive my disability benefits?

Brand new claims usually take 3-6 months to process. Once processed, you will start receiving payments in 1-3 months.

How are the rating percentages assigned to my conditions?

The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms, treatment options, and the resulting level of disability they cause.

My conditions have worsened. How do I increase my rating percentages?

If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation.

How does the VA rating dry eye syndrome?

In regards to the veteran's bilateral dry eye syndrome, the current 20 percent rating is the maximum schedular rating available for bilateral epiphora. The veteran is not entitled to a higher initial rating under Code 6018 for conjunctivitis, because a 10 percent rating is the highest rating for active conjunctivitis.

Is chronic dry eye a disability?

To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you must have dry eyes which are so severe that they are not controlled with medication and are preventing you from being able to work.

Is astigmatism a VA disability?

VA does not offer VA disability compensation for astigmatism if the veteran was born with astigmatism or if their vision can be corrected with contacts. There is no diagnostic code or rating criteria established specifically for astigmatism.

What is the VA disability rating for diplopia?

§ 4.84a, Diagnostic Code 6090, Note 4. Though the diagnostic code assigns different equivalent visual acuity ratings based on where diplopia is present across the visual field, of primary importance is that diplopia that is central at 20 degrees is rated equivalent to a visual acuity of 5/200.