Body system: EyeRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.79
An unhealed eye injury is an eye injury that has not properly healed and continues to cause problems. The VA rates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (38 CFR § 4.79), using whichever path yields the higher evaluation: visual impairment (acuity, field, or muscle function) OR the Incapacitating Episodes ladder. The Incapacitating Episodes ladder rates 10% (1-2 treatment visits in the past 12 months) up to 60% (7 or more treatment visits).
Rating levels
- -1% — The VA rates this eye condition using a dual-method rule under 38 CFR § 4.79. PATH 1: rate on visual impairment, the VA measures your visual acuity, visual field defects, or eye-muscle function (the same chart-based ratings used for vision loss). PATH 2: rate under the Incapacitating Episodes ladder shown below, which counts how many clinic visits your eye condition required for treatment during the past 12 months. Whichever path yields the higher evaluation is the one the VA uses. Treatment visits can include intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions.
- 60% — You qualify for this rating under the Incapacitating Episodes path if your documented eye condition required 7 or more clinic visits specifically for treatment during the past 12 months. Treatment visits can include intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions. The rating applies when it yields a higher evaluation than rating the condition on visual impairment (acuity, field, or muscle function) alone, per 38 CFR § 4.79.
- 40% — You qualify for this rating under the Incapacitating Episodes path if your documented eye condition required at least 5 but fewer than 7 clinic visits specifically for treatment during the past 12 months. Treatment visits can include intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions. The rating applies when it yields a higher evaluation than rating on visual impairment alone, per 38 CFR § 4.79.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating under the Incapacitating Episodes path if your documented eye condition required at least 3 but fewer than 5 clinic visits specifically for treatment during the past 12 months. Treatment visits can include intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions. The rating applies when it yields a higher evaluation than rating on visual impairment alone, per 38 CFR § 4.79.
- 10% — You qualify for this rating under the Incapacitating Episodes path if your documented eye condition required at least 1 but fewer than 3 clinic visits specifically for treatment during the past 12 months. Treatment visits can include intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions. The rating applies when it yields a higher evaluation than rating on visual impairment alone, per 38 CFR § 4.79.