38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.79

Cataract — VA Diagnostic Code 6027

Eye

Diagnostic code

6027

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38 CFR § 4.79 lists Diagnostic Code 6027 as “Cataract:”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell is empty. The next cell is “Preoperative: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye” and does not end with a period. The cell after that is the postoperative sentence. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Cataract.” Appendix B also indexes “Cataract, senile, and others.” at 6028. The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.79 does not contain 6028.

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

6027 Cataract

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Preoperative: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Postoperative: If a replacement lens is present (pseudophakia), evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. If there is no replacement lens, evaluate based on aphakia (diagnostic code 6029)

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Preoperative: Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye
—	Postoperative: If a replacement lens is present (pseudophakia), evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. If there is no replacement lens, evaluate based on aphakia (diagnostic code 6029)

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

The preoperative cell does not end with a period. The postoperative cell does not end with a period after “6029”.

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

DC 6029 is “Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens:”. Its next cell says: “Evaluate based on visual impairment, and elevate the resulting level of visual impairment one step.” The following line is “Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)” at 30. That 30 is on DC 6029. It is not printed on DC 6027. The postoperative cell of DC 6027 names diagnostic code 6029 only when there is no replacement lens. DC 6035 is keratoconus. DC 6008 is detachment of retina. Both sit with the diseases that follow the same formula. The catalog still has a row for DC 6028. The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.79 does not list that number.

38 CFR § 4.75(a) says the evaluation of visual impairment is based on impairment of visual acuity (excluding developmental errors of refraction), visual field, and muscle function. Paragraph (b) says the examination must be conducted by a licensed optometrist or by a licensed ophthalmologist, and 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. 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 6027 does not print a 0 percent line.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “cataract.” 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.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6027 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

Preoperative and postoperative are different sentences

Preoperative evaluation uses the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Postoperative evaluation uses that formula if a replacement lens is present (pseudophakia). If there is no replacement lens, the cell says to evaluate based on aphakia (diagnostic code 6029).

The incapacitating-episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10

The formula says to evaluate on visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. The episode lines count treatment visits during the past 12 months. Note (1) defines an incapacitating episode as an eye condition severe enough to require a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.

DC 6028 is an index entry

Appendix B indexes 6028 as “Cataract, senile, and others.” The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.79 does not contain 6028. The current cataract row is DC 6027.

Evidence that speaks to each level

Formula, preoperative or with a replacement lens

What the rater needs to see. Visual impairment due to the cataract, or documented incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. The episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10 by the number of treatment visits in the past 12 months.

Where that usually lives. The eye examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, and the treatment-visit record if the episode lines are in question.

No replacement lens

What the rater needs to see. The postoperative cell says to evaluate based on aphakia (diagnostic code 6029). DC 6029 says to evaluate based on visual impairment and elevate the resulting level one step, with a minimum of 30 percent unilateral or bilateral.

Where that usually lives. The operative record showing whether a replacement lens is present.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
Formula, preoperative or with a replacement lens	Visual impairment due to the cataract, or documented incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation. The episode lines are 60, 40, 20, and 10 by the number of treatment visits in the past 12 months.	The eye examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, and the treatment-visit record if the episode lines are in question.
No replacement lens	The postoperative cell says to evaluate based on aphakia (diagnostic code 6029). DC 6029 says to evaluate based on visual impairment and elevate the resulting level one step, with a minimum of 30 percent unilateral or bilateral.	The operative record showing whether a replacement lens is present.

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

The exam form

DC 6027 points to the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, or to DC 6029 when there is no replacement lens. This page does not say the eye form replaces those sentences.

Related codes and how they interact

Aphakia has the minimum of 30.

DC 6029 prints “Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)” at 30, and it says to elevate the resulting level of visual impairment one step. DC 6027 names that code in the postoperative cell when there is no replacement lens. DC 6027 does not print the 30.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “cataract.” This page does not add DC 6027 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 a cataract under DC 6027?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, a preoperative cataract is evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. If a replacement lens is present, the postoperative evaluation uses that formula. If there is no replacement lens, the evaluation is based on aphakia under diagnostic code 6029. The formula uses visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Where is the 30 percent minimum for aphakia?

On DC 6029, “Minimum (unilateral or bilateral)” is 30. That line is not printed on DC 6027. DC 6027 names diagnostic code 6029 when there is no replacement lens. Education only.

FAQ

Does DC 6027 print its own percentage?

No. Preoperative cataract is evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. Postoperative cataract with a replacement lens uses that formula. Postoperative cataract without a replacement lens is evaluated as aphakia under DC 6029. Education only.

What are the incapacitating-episode percentages?

60, 40, 20, and 10, by the number of treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months. The formula uses those lines or visual impairment, whichever results in a higher evaluation. Note (1) does not end with a period.

Is senile cataract a current code in § 4.79?

Appendix B indexes 6028 as “Cataract, senile, and others.” The 2026-10-01 text of § 4.79 does not contain 6028. The cataract row in that section is DC 6027.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6027, whether a replacement lens is present, and whether the evaluation used visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.
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 6027 • 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.