38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.79

Optic neuropathy — VA Diagnostic Code 6026

Eye

Diagnostic code

6026

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38 CFR § 4.79 lists Diagnostic Code 6026 as “Optic neuropathy” in the table captioned “Diseases of the Eye.” The title does not end with a period. The rating cell is empty. DC 6026 does not print an “Evaluate under” sentence of its own. The same table opens with the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes the code as “Optic neuropathy.” with a period.

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 § 4.77 source note prints 53 FR 30262, Aug. 11, 1988, as amended at 73 FR 66549, Nov. 10, 2008; 74 FR 7648, Feb. 19, 2009; 83 FR 15320, Apr. 10, 2018. The § 4.76a source note prints 43 FR 45352, Oct. 2, 1978, as amended at 73 FR 66549, Nov. 10, 2008.

The rating criteria at each level

6026 Optic neuropathy — the row this code prints

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Optic neuropathy

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Optic neuropathy

General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye — incapacitating episodes, the block that opens this table

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 DC 6026 rating cell is empty. The § 4.79 title does not end with a period. Appendix B adds a period.

The next row is DC 6027, “Cataract:”. Optic neuropathy does not print the cataract preoperative or postoperative sentences.

The formula’s opening sentence does not end with a period. It reads: “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) does not end with a period. It reads: 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) does not end with a period. It reads: 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) does not end with a period. It reads: 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(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. 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 § 4.31 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 6026 does not print a 0 percent line of its own. 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 6030 is “Paralysis of accommodation (due to neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve (cranial nerve III)).” That title ends with a period, and the rating cell is 20. It names neuropathy of a cranial nerve. It is not the DC 6026 title. DC 6027 is cataract. Its preoperative cell points to the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. DC 6026 does not print “Preoperative.” DC 6090 is diplopia, in the later table captioned “Ratings for Impairment of Muscle Function.”

This page does not reprint diagnostic codes 6061-6091. Note (3) refers to them for visual impairment. The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “optic neuropathy.” It does not assign DC 6026.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6026 and the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

The index adds a period

The rating table prints “Optic neuropathy” with no period. Appendix B prints “Optic neuropathy.”

No percentage on the code itself

The rating cell is empty. The incapacitating-episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10. Visual impairment is the other branch of the formula.

DC 6030 names a different neuropathy

DC 6030 says “Paralysis of accommodation (due to neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve (cranial nerve III)).” and prints 20. DC 6026 says “Optic neuropathy” and prints no number.

Evidence that speaks to each level

60, 40, 20, or 10

What the rater needs to see. Documented incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months, at the visit counts the formula prints: 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.

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

Visual impairment

What the rater needs to see. The visual impairment Note (3) refers to 38 CFR 4.75-4.78 and diagnostic codes 6061-6091, when that evaluation is the one compared with incapacitating episodes.

Where that usually lives. The eye examination § 4.75(b) requires.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
60, 40, 20, or 10	Documented incapacitating episodes during the past 12 months, at the visit counts the formula prints: 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.	The treatment-visit record Note (1) describes: a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.
Visual impairment	The visual impairment Note (3) refers to 38 CFR 4.75-4.78 and diagnostic codes 6061-6091, when that evaluation is the one compared with incapacitating episodes.	The eye examination § 4.75(b) requires.

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

The exam form

DC 6026 prints a title and no percentage of its own. This page does not say the eye form replaces the general formula.

Related codes and how they interact

Accommodation paralysis prints 20.

DC 6030 names neuropathy of the oculomotor nerve and prints 20. Cataract, DC 6027, prints preoperative and postoperative sentences. DC 6026 prints neither the 20 nor those sentences.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “optic neuropathy.” This page does not add DC 6026 to a presumptive row.

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

How does VA rate optic neuropathy under DC 6026?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6026 prints the title and an empty rating cell. The Diseases of the Eye table opens with the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which code prints 20 for a neuropathy of cranial nerve III?

DC 6030, paralysis of accommodation due to neuropathy of the oculomotor nerve. That 20 is not printed on DC 6026. Education only.

FAQ

Does DC 6026 print its own percentage?

No. The title is “Optic neuropathy” and the rating cell is empty. The incapacitating-episode lines in the formula that opens the table are 60, 40, 20, and 10. Education only.

Is paralysis of accommodation this code?

No. DC 6030 is “Paralysis of accommodation (due to neuropathy of the Oculomotor Nerve (cranial nerve III)).” at 20. DC 6026 is “Optic neuropathy” with an empty rating cell.

Does the title end with a period?

The § 4.79 title does not end with a period. Appendix B prints “Optic neuropathy.”

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6026 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. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
Other eye codes are on the eye diagnostic-code index.

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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 6026 • va.gov

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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.