38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.79

Keratopathy — VA Diagnostic Code 6001

Eye

Diagnostic code

6001

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38 CFR § 4.79 lists Diagnostic Code 6001 as “Keratopathy.” The code does not print a percentage of its own. It is printed with the diseases that follow the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. That formula says to evaluate on either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. Section 3.316(a)(1) uses the word “keratitis,” and it lists “corneal opacities” separately. This page does not treat those words as the schedule title.

Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.79 source note prints 73 FR 66550, Nov. 10, 2008, as amended at 83 FR 15321, Apr. 10, 2018. The versioner lists a substantive amendment date of 2022-10-20.

The rating criteria at each level

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye — incapacitating episodes

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). With documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

Rating %: 40

Criteria (verbatim). With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

Rating %: 20

Criteria (verbatim). With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
60	With documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
40	With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
20	With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months
10	With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months

DC 6001 prints the title “Keratopathy.” and no percentage line.

The formula says: “Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation.”

Note (1): For the purposes of evaluation under 38 CFR 4.79, an incapacitating episode is an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.

Note (2): Examples of treatment may include but are not limited to: Systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents; intravitreal or periocular injections; laser treatments; or other surgical interventions.

Note (3): For the purposes of evaluating visual impairment due to the particular condition, refer to 38 CFR 4.75-4.78 and to § 4.79, diagnostic codes 6061-6091.

38 CFR § 4.75(c) says that, subject to 38 CFR 3.383(a), if visual impairment of only one eye is service-connected, the visual acuity of the other eye will be considered to be 20/40 for purposes of evaluating the service-connected visual impairment. Paragraph (d) says the evaluation for visual impairment of one eye must not exceed 30 percent unless there is anatomical loss of the eye. Paragraph (f) says that when evaluating visual impairment, refer to 38 CFR 3.350 to determine whether the claimant may be entitled to special monthly compensation.

DC 6036, status post corneal transplant, says to evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, with a minimum of 10 if there is pain, photophobia, and glare sensitivity. That minimum is printed on DC 6036. It is not printed on DC 6001.

This page does not reprint diagnostic codes 6061-6091. Note (3) refers to them for visual impairment.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6001, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

Keratopathy and keratitis

The schedule title is “Keratopathy.” 38 CFR § 3.316(a)(1) names “keratitis” and, as a separate item, “corneal opacities.” The catalog slug for this code is the schedule word, keratopathy.

No percentage on the code itself

DC 6000 (choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, or choroiditis), DC 6001, and DC 6002 (scleritis) are printed without their own percentage lines, after the General Rating Formula. The incapacitating-episode lines in that formula are 60, 40, 20, and 10. Visual impairment is the other branch of the formula.

Incapacitating episode

Note (1): For the purposes of evaluation under 38 CFR 4.79, an incapacitating episode is an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes. Note (2): Examples of treatment may include but are not limited to: Systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents; intravitreal or periocular injections; laser treatments; or other surgical interventions.

When two evaluations are close

38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

Evidence that speaks to each level

Incapacitating episodes

What the rater needs to see. Documented incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months, counted as 7 or more, at least 5 but less than 7, at least 3 but less than 5, or at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits.

Where that usually lives. The treatment-visit record. Note (1) requires a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.

Visual impairment

What the rater needs to see. The visual-acuity, visual-field, or muscle-function evaluation Note (3) refers to, if that evaluation is higher than the incapacitating-episode evaluation.

Where that usually lives. An examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, which § 4.75(b) requires for visual impairment.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
Incapacitating episodes	Documented incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months, counted as 7 or more, at least 5 but less than 7, at least 3 but less than 5, or at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits.	The treatment-visit record. Note (1) requires a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.
Visual impairment	The visual-acuity, visual-field, or muscle-function evaluation Note (3) refers to, if that evaluation is higher than the incapacitating-episode evaluation.	An examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, which § 4.75(b) requires for visual impairment.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Eye Conditions” under Ophthalmological.

The exam form

The file is Eye Conditions. Section 4.75(b) requires a licensed optometrist or licensed ophthalmologist for the visual-impairment examination, and it says the examiner must identify the disease, injury, or other pathologic process responsible for any visual impairment found.

Related codes and how they interact

Codes printed beside DC 6001

DC 6000 is choroidopathy, including uveitis, iritis, cyclitis, or choroiditis. DC 6002 is scleritis. DC 6035 is keratoconus. DC 6036 is status post corneal transplant.

DC 6018 is chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous). It has its own active and inactive lines. It is not DC 6001.

Other eye codes are on the eye diagnostic-code index.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

38 CFR § 3.316(a)(1) names keratitis after full-body exposure to nitrogen or sulfur mustard, in the same sentence as chronic conjunctivitis, corneal opacities, scar formation, and the cancers that paragraph lists. Paragraph (a)(3) names acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. It does not name keratitis. Paragraph (b) is the willful-misconduct and supervening-cause bar.

The schedule title at DC 6001 is keratopathy. Section 3.316(a)(1) does not use that word. This page does not say the two words are the same diagnosis.

38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name keratopathy or keratitis. 38 CFR § 3.309(f) does not name them. 38 CFR § 3.320 and § 3.320a do not name them. 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b) does not name them.

A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for DC 6001?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, keratopathy does not print its own percentage. Evaluation uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which presumption uses the word keratitis?

38 CFR § 3.316(a)(1) names keratitis after full-body exposure to nitrogen or sulfur mustard. The current schedule title at DC 6001 is keratopathy. Sections 3.309(e), 3.309(f), 3.320, and 3.320a do not name either word.

FAQ

How does VA rate keratopathy under DC 6001?

DC 6001 prints the title and no percentage of its own. The General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye says to evaluate on visual impairment or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. The incapacitating-episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10. Education only.

Is the schedule title keratitis?

The schedule title is keratopathy. Section 3.316(a)(1) names keratitis, and it names corneal opacities separately. This page does not treat those words as interchangeable.

Is keratopathy on the herbicide or Camp Lejeune list?

Sections 3.309(e) and 3.309(f) do not name keratopathy or keratitis. The mustard-gas sentence that names keratitis is § 3.316(a)(1).

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6001 and whether it used incapacitating episodes or visual impairment.
The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. C&P prep (Founding Pass) is a separate worksheet. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other eye codes are on the eye diagnostic-code index.

Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.

Other codes in this body system

Nearby catalog entries in Eye, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Eye codes

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6001 • va.gov

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.