Body system: EyeRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.79DBQ: DBQ OPHTH Eyes
Chronic conjunctivitis (nontrachomatous) is ongoing inflammation of the conjunctiva (the clear membrane covering the eye and inner eyelids) not caused by trachoma. When active, the VA rates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (38 CFR § 4.79) with a 10% minimum (floor) during active disease. The Incapacitating Episodes path can push the rating higher: 20% for 3 to 4 treatment visits in the past 12 months, 40% for 5 to 6 visits, 60% for 7 or more visits. Visual impairment may yield a higher rating in some cases under the visual acuity, field, or muscle-function codes. When the condition is INACTIVE, DC 6018 has no rating of its own, residuals are evaluated under the visual impairment codes and DC 7800 (disfiguring scars of the head, face, or neck).
Rating levels
- 60% — You qualify for 60% if your chronic conjunctivitis is active and required 7 or more clinic visits specifically for treatment (intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions) during the past 12 months. This is the highest tier on the Incapacitating Episodes path of the General Eye Formula. Visual impairment may yield a higher rating in some cases (rated under the visual acuity, field, or muscle function codes), in which case the higher value applies.
- 40% — You qualify for 40% if your chronic conjunctivitis is active and required at least 5 but fewer than 7 clinic visits specifically for treatment (intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions) during the past 12 months. This rating applies under the Incapacitating Episodes path of the General Eye Formula when it yields a higher evaluation than the visual impairment path.
- 20% — You qualify for 20% if your chronic conjunctivitis is active and required at least 3 but fewer than 5 clinic visits specifically for treatment (intravitreal or periocular injections, laser treatments, systemic immunosuppressants or biologic agents, or other surgical interventions) during the past 12 months. This rating applies under the Incapacitating Episodes path of the General Eye Formula when it yields a higher evaluation than the visual impairment path.
- 10% — You qualify for at least 10% if the chronic (nontrachomatous) conjunctivitis is currently active. This is a floor (minimum) rating, even if rating on visual impairment alone would yield 0%, the active-disease rule guarantees 10%. If the Incapacitating Episodes path yields a higher value (20%, 40%, or 60% based on treatment-visit count) or visual impairment yields a higher value, the higher value applies instead.
- -1% — When the chronic conjunctivitis is INACTIVE (no current inflammation or treatment activity), DC 6018 has no rating ladder of its own. The VA rates the residual effects under whichever code best captures the lasting impact: visual impairment codes for any vision loss (acuity, visual field, or eye-muscle function), or DC 7800 (disfiguring scars of the head, face, or neck) for any visible disfigurement.