Lagophthalmos — VA Diagnostic Code 6022

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 6022 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. The same section says the evaluation of the same manifestation under different diagnoses are to be avoided.

DC 6020 is “Ectropion:” and also prints bilateral 20 and unilateral 10. DC 6021 is “Entropion:” 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 6022. DC 6023 prints one 10 for complete loss of eyebrows, unilateral or bilateral. DC 6025 returns to bilateral 20 and unilateral 10 under a different title.

DC 6091 is “Symblepharon:”. Its evaluate cell names “lagophthalmos (diagnostic code 6022)” among the findings it says to evaluate, and it says to combine in accordance with § 4.25. That cell does not end with a period. It reads: “Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, lagophthalmos (diagnostic code 6022), disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25” The comma after “etc” is in that cell. The bilateral and unilateral numbers stay on DC 6022.

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. Those paragraphs are about visual impairment. They are not extra words on the bilateral or unilateral lines of DC 6022.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “lagophthalmos.” It does not assign DC 6022.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6022, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.