38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.79

Pterygium — VA Diagnostic Code 6034

Eye

Diagnostic code

6034

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38 CFR § 4.79 lists Diagnostic Code 6034 as “Pterygium:”. The title ends with a colon. The rating cell is empty. The next cell names the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), and the rest of that sentence. Appendix B to Part 4 indexes “Pterygium.” 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 rating criteria at each level

6034 Pterygium

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25

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 pterygium cell does not end with a period. It reads: “Evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), etc., depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25”

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

The word “etc.” in the pterygium cell is the schedule’s word. The findings the cell names are the eye formula, disfigurement under diagnostic code 7800, and conjunctivitis under diagnostic code 6018. DC 7800 is in 38 CFR § 4.118. DC 6018 is “Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous):”. Active conjunctivitis is evaluated under the same eye formula, minimum rating 10. Inactive conjunctivitis is evaluated based on residuals, such as visual impairment and disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800). That inactive cell does not end with a period.

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. 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, and to combine that evaluation with evaluations for other disabilities of the same eye that are not based on visual impairment (for example, disfigurement under diagnostic code 7800). That 30 percent cap is paragraph (d). It is not a percentage printed on DC 6034. Paragraph (f) says that when evaluating visual impairment, refer to 38 CFR 3.350. 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 6034 does not print a 0 percent line.

38 CFR § 4.25 is the combined-ratings section the pterygium cell names. 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. The pterygium cell tells the reader to combine the findings it names. It does not say to rate the same manifestation twice.

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “pterygium.” DC 6035 is keratoconus. DC 6027 is cataract. Those are different titles.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6034 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

No percentage on the pterygium row

The rating cell next to “Pterygium:” is empty. The evaluation sentence points to the eye formula, diagnostic code 7800, diagnostic code 6018, and the other findings the sentence covers, combined under § 4.25.

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.

Appendix B uses a period

The rating table says “Pterygium:”. Appendix B says “Pterygium.”

Evidence that speaks to each level

The findings the cell names

What the rater needs to see. Visual impairment or incapacitating episodes under the eye formula, disfigurement under diagnostic code 7800, conjunctivitis under diagnostic code 6018, or the other particular findings the sentence covers. The cell says to combine them under § 4.25.

Where that usually lives. The eye examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, and the disfigurement or conjunctivitis findings if those codes are in question.

Incapacitating episodes

What the rater needs to see. Documented treatment visits 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.

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

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The findings the cell names	Visual impairment or incapacitating episodes under the eye formula, disfigurement under diagnostic code 7800, conjunctivitis under diagnostic code 6018, or the other particular findings the sentence covers. The cell says to combine them under § 4.25.	The eye examination by a licensed optometrist or a licensed ophthalmologist, and the disfigurement or conjunctivitis findings if those codes are in question.
Incapacitating episodes	Documented treatment visits 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.	The treatment-visit record. Note (1) requires a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment purposes.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Eye Conditions” under Ophthalmological and “Scars” under Dermatological. The files are Eye Conditions and Scars.

The exam form

DC 6034 names the eye formula, diagnostic code 7800, and diagnostic code 6018. This page does not say either form replaces that sentence.

Related codes and how they interact

Conjunctivitis prints a minimum the pterygium row does not.

DC 6018’s active line is the eye formula with a minimum rating of 10. DC 6034 does not print that minimum. Keratoconus is DC 6035. Cataract is DC 6027. Those titles are not the pterygium title.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not contain “pterygium.” This page does not add DC 6034 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

What is the VA rating for pterygium?

Under 38 CFR § 4.79, pterygium does not print its own percentage. Evaluation follows the eye formula, disfigurement under diagnostic code 7800, conjunctivitis under diagnostic code 6018, or the other findings the cell names, combined under § 4.25. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Where is the 30 percent cap for one eye?

38 CFR § 4.75(d) says the evaluation for visual impairment of one eye must not exceed 30 percent unless there is anatomical loss of the eye. That sentence is not printed on DC 6034.

FAQ

How does VA rate pterygium under DC 6034?

DC 6034 prints the title “Pterygium:” and no percentage of its own. The next cell says to evaluate under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye, disfigurement (diagnostic code 7800), conjunctivitis (diagnostic code 6018), and so on, depending on the particular findings, and combine in accordance with § 4.25. That cell does not end with a period. 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.

Does DC 6034 print the 10 percent minimum for active conjunctivitis?

No. That minimum is on the active line of DC 6018. DC 6034 names diagnostic code 6018. It does not print the 10.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6034 and which findings it combined: the eye formula, diagnostic code 7800, diagnostic code 6018, or another finding the cell names.
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 6034 • 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.