Entropion — VA Diagnostic Code 6021

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. DC 6021 does not print a 0 percent line. 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. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided, and that the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses is to be avoided.

DC 6020 is “Ectropion:” and also prints bilateral 20 and unilateral 10. DC 6022 is “Lagophthalmos:” with the same two lines. Those are separate titles. DC 6019 is “Ptosis, unilateral or bilateral:”. Its sentence is “Evaluate based on visual impairment or, in the absence of visual impairment, on disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800).” That sentence ends with a period. It is not printed on DC 6021.

38 CFR § 4.75(b) requires examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist for visual impairment, and it says the examiner must identify the disease, injury, or other pathologic process responsible for any visual impairment found. Examinations of visual fields or muscle function will be conducted only when there is a medical indication of disease or injury that may be associated with visual field defect or impaired muscle function. Unless medically contraindicated, the fundus must be examined with the claimant's pupils dilated. 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 bilateral or unilateral lines of DC 6021.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “entropion.” It does not assign DC 6021.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6021, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.