Aphakia or dislocation of crystalline lens (DC 6029)

Aphakia means the natural lens of the eye is missing (usually because it was surgically removed for cataract treatment without an artificial replacement lens). Dislocation of the crystalline lens means the natural lens has moved out of its normal position. The VA rates this condition under DC 6029 with two rules. First, a 30% floor applies whether one eye or both eyes are affected, regardless of how well you see with glasses or contacts. Second, when visual impairment is higher, the VA rates the visual impairment under the standard vision-loss codes (acuity, field, or muscle function) and then elevates the result ONE step up the rating ladder, so the rating is one tier higher than what visual impairment alone would yield. The higher of the 30% floor or the elevated visual-impairment rating is what the VA assigns.