Retinal dystrophy (DC 6042)

Body system: EyeRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.79

Retinal dystrophy covers several conditions that damage the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, and rod/cone dystrophy. The VA doesn't provide specific rating percentages for code 6042 itself - instead, they rate these conditions based on how much vision loss you actually have using the general vision loss criteria. Your rating will depend on your visual acuity (how clearly you see) and visual field (how much you can see around the edges) in both eyes.

Rating levels

  • -1% — Retinal dystrophy includes retinitis pigmentosa, wet or dry macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration, and rod and/or cone dystrophies. The VA rates these under 38 CFR § 4.79 based on the resulting visual impairment — typically progressive central or peripheral vision loss.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with your VSO representative or a qualified veterans benefits attorney for guidance on your specific claim.