38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.79

Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities — VA Diagnostic Code 6011

Eye

Diagnostic code

6011

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38 CFR § 4.79 lists Diagnostic Code 6011 as “Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities:”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell on that title is empty. The next line is 10. The line after that says to evaluate alternatively under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye if that would result in a higher evaluation. Appendix B to Part 4 uses the same words and ends them with a period instead of a colon.

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 § 4.75 source note prints 73 FR 66549, Nov. 10, 2008.

The rating criteria at each level

6011 Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
10	Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye — incapacitating episodes, used only if that evaluation is higher

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

The 10 percent cell does not end with a period.

The alternative sentence does not end with a period: “Alternatively, evaluate based on the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, if this would result in a higher evaluation”

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” That sentence does not end with a period.

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

Notes (1), (2), and (3) do not end with periods.

38 CFR § 4.75(b) requires the visual-impairment examination to be conducted by a licensed optometrist or by a licensed ophthalmologist, and it says the examiner must identify the disease, injury, or other pathologic process responsible for any visual impairment found. Paragraph (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. Paragraph (f) does not state a payment amount. Those paragraphs are about visual impairment. They are not extra words on the 10 percent scar line.

DC 6008 is “Detachment of retina.” Its title ends with a period and its rating cell is empty. It does not print the 10 percent localized-scar line or the “alternatively” sentence. DC 6006 is “Retinopathy or maculopathy not otherwise specified” and does not end that title with a period or a colon. DC 6012 is “Angle-closure glaucoma” with no colon and no period. Its sentence is “Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required,” and the rating on that sentence is 10. DC 6011 does not print a continuous-medication minimum.

This page does not reprint diagnostic codes 6061-6091. Note (3) refers to them for visual impairment. 38 CFR § 4.31 says that in every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met. The 10 percent scar line is a printed evaluation. The incapacitating-episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10. DC 6011 does not print a 0 percent line of its own. 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.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6011 and the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, and 38 CFR § 4.75, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

Colon in the table, period in the index

The rating table prints “Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities:”. Appendix B prints “Retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities.”

The 10 percent findings

The 10 percent line requires localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image. The cell does not end with a period.

Alternatively, if higher

The next cell says to evaluate based on the eye formula if that would result in a higher evaluation. It does not say “whichever.” The formula’s own sentence is the one that says “whichever results in a higher evaluation.”

Evidence that speaks to each level

What the rater needs to see. Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image

Where that usually lives. The eye examination that records location and the image the line names.

The formula, if higher

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, or the visual-impairment evaluation Note (3) refers to, when that evaluation is higher than 10.

Where that usually lives. The treatment-visit record. Note (1) requires a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes. Visual impairment uses the examination § 4.75(b) describes.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
10	Localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image	The eye examination that records location and the image the line names.
The formula, if higher	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, or the visual-impairment evaluation Note (3) refers to, when that evaluation is higher than 10.	The treatment-visit record. Note (1) requires a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes. Visual impairment uses the examination § 4.75(b) describes.

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. DC 6011 prints 10, and it names the eye formula as the alternative if that evaluation is higher.

Related codes and how they interact

Detachment of the retina does not print this 10 percent line.

DC 6008 follows the eye formula and does not print the localized-scar sentence. DC 6012’s 10 percent line is a continuous-medication minimum. That sentence is not on DC 6011.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “retina” or “scar.” It does not assign DC 6011.

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 retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6011 is 10 percent for the centrally located image findings the line names, or the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye if that evaluation is higher. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which notes define an incapacitating episode?

Note (1) says an incapacitating episode is an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes. Note (2) gives examples of treatment. Note (3) points visual impairment to 38 CFR 4.75-4.78 and to diagnostic codes 6061-6091. None of the three notes ends with a period.

FAQ

How does VA rate retinal scars, atrophy, or irregularities under DC 6011?

The schedule prints 10 percent for localized scars, atrophy, or irregularities of the retina, unilateral or bilateral, that are centrally located and that result in an irregular, duplicated, enlarged, or diminished image. It then says to evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye if that would result in a higher evaluation. The incapacitating-episode lines in that formula are 60, 40, 20, and 10. Education only.

Does the 10 percent line end with a period?

No. The alternative sentence does not end with a period either. The title ends with a colon. Appendix B ends the same words with a period.

Is the glaucoma medication minimum part of DC 6011?

No. DC 6012 says to evaluate angle-closure glaucoma under the eye formula, with a minimum evaluation if continuous medication is required, at 10. DC 6011 does not print that medication sentence.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6011 and whether it used the 10 percent line or the eye formula.
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. 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 6011 • 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.