C&P Exam for Vision in one eye 5/200 (DC 6065)

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Diagnostic code: 6065Condition: Vision in one eye 5/200 (1.5/60)Regulation: 38 CFR § 4.79DBQ: DBQ EYE Eye Conditions

Which form the examiner uses

For vision in one eye 5/200 (DC 6065), the C&P examiner completes the following Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ):

DBQ EYE Eye Conditions (public PDF on VA.gov)

DBQs are Department of Veterans Affairs Form 21-0960 series documents. Public DBQs are hosted on benefits.va.gov. A handful are examiner-only and are not posted publicly.

What to expect at your C&P exam

An eye exam is done by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The rating is set mainly by your corrected vision and any loss of side vision, under 38 CFR 4.79.

1Initial interview (history)

Vision changes, when they started, and which eye.
Pain, double vision, or light sensitivity.
Eye injuries, surgeries, or disease (glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy).
Effect on reading, driving, and work.

2Physical examination

A standard eye exam of the front and back of the eye, the pupils, and eye movements.

3Diagnostic tests the examiner may rely on

These measurements drive the rating.

Visual acuity test what's this?

Measures the smallest letters you can read with correction; the main number used to rate.

Visual field test (perimetry) what's this?

Measures how much side (peripheral) vision you have.

Tonometry what's this?

Measures the pressure inside the eye, used for glaucoma.

4Functional assessment

Your corrected visual acuity in each eye and any visual-field loss, the two numbers that set most eye ratings; plus double vision if present.
Findings map to the tiers in 38 CFR 4.79 (e.g. impaired acuity DC 6066; visual field defects DC 6080; glaucoma DC 6013).

Test explainers open MedlinePlus (NIH National Library of Medicine), or Wikipedia where MedlinePlus has no matching page. This describes what happens and what is measured, not how to influence a result.

What the examiner records (full DBQ form)

The fields below are reproduced from the DBQ form the examiner completes for this diagnostic code. This is the structural map of the form, showing what the examiner is asked to measure, observe, and record. It is a factual reproduction of the public DBQ, not advice on how to answer.

This DBQ evaluates eye conditions documenting visual acuity, visual fields, eye conditions, scarring/disfigurement, incapacitating episodes, and functional impact.

How DC 6065 maps to this DBQ: for this diagnostic code specifically, the examiner typically completes sections I-III and VII-VIII of this form. Section III is the condition-specific section for this code. Sections IV-VI cover unrelated conditions on this DBQ and are skipped.

5 of 8 sections apply to DC 6065 on this DBQ

DIAGNOSIS (Section I) MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II) PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (Section III) FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VII) REMARKS (Section VIII)

DIAGNOSIS (Section I)

Does the Veteran currently have an eye condition (other than congenital or developmental errors of refraction)?
Diagnosis # 1
Diagnosis # 1 ICD Code
Diagnosis # 1 Date of diagnosis
Diagnosis # 2
Diagnosis # 2 ICD Code
Diagnosis # 2 Date of diagnosis
Diagnosis # 3
Diagnosis # 3 ICD Code
Diagnosis # 3 Date of diagnosis
1B. If there are additional or prior diagnoses that pertain to eye conditions, list using above format

MEDICAL HISTORY (Section II)

2A. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's current eye condition(s) (Brief summary)

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (Section III)

1. VISUAL ACUITY Visual acuity should be reported according to the lines on the Snellen chart or its equivalent. If assessment of the veteran's visual acuity falls between two lines on the Snellen chart, round up to the higher (worse) level (poorer vision) for answers a-d below. (For example, 20/60

EYE CONDITIONS (Section IV)

a. Specify the type of glaucoma: Angle-closure – Eye affected: Right / Left / Both
a. Specify the type of glaucoma: Open-angle – Eye affected: Right / Left / Both
a. Specify the type of glaucoma: Other – Specify type – Eye affected: Right / Left / Both
b. Does the glaucoma require continuous medication for treatment?
If "Yes," list medication(s) used for treatment of glaucoma
c. Is the Veteran's decrease in visual acuity or other visual impairment, if present, attributable to glaucoma?

SCARRING AND DISFIGUREMENT (Section V)

5A. Does the Veteran have scarring or disfigurement attributable to any eye condition?

INCAPACITATING EPISODES (Section VI)

6A. During the past 12 months, has the Veteran had any incapacitating episodes attributable to an eye condition?
If "Yes," specify the eye condition(s) causing incapacitating episodes
6B. Indicate the number of DOCUMENTED medical visits for treatment of an eye condition over the past 12 months: At least 1 but less than 3 / At least 3 but less than 5 / At least 5 but less than 7 / 7 or more
6C. Indicate the type of intervention that occurred during the incapacitating episode: Systemic immunosuppressant or biologic agent – Name of medication
Intravitreal or periocular injections – Name of medication
Laser treatments
Surgical intervention – Describe
Other – Describe

FUNCTIONAL IMPACT (Section VII)

7A. Does the Veteran's eye condition(s) impact his or her ability to work?
If "Yes," describe the impact of each of the Veteran's eye condition(s), providing one or more examples

REMARKS (Section VIII)

8A. Remarks (if any – please identify the section to which the remark pertains when appropriate)

Rating Levels for DC 6065

The following tiers are reproduced from 38 CFR Part 4, the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Toggle between the official VA criteria and a Plain English explanation.

Plain-English summaries are AI-generated to explain the official criteria. The official 38 CFR language is the binding legal standard. When in doubt, ask a VSO.

Evidence cited in published BVA decisions for DC 6065

The counts below are aggregated from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code, among issues the Board granted or denied (remanded issues are not included). Each row reports how often a given evidence type was discussed in the decision text, broken down by outcome. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not a prediction or recommendation about any specific claim.

VA examination: appeared in 796 granted decisions (2825 denied; 3621 decided total)
Service treatment records: appeared in 665 granted decisions (2695 denied; 3360 decided total)
Buddy / lay statements: appeared in 415 granted decisions (1568 denied; 1983 decided total)
Private medical opinion: appeared in 337 granted decisions (1045 denied; 1382 decided total)
Nexus letter: appeared in 282 granted decisions (480 denied; 762 decided total)
Medical literature: appeared in 56 granted decisions (177 denied; 233 decided total)

What the Board discussed in granted decisions for DC 6065

The themes below were extracted by clustering 500 grant-factor sentences from published Board of Veterans Appeals decisions for this diagnostic code. Frequencies indicate how often each theme appeared in the sample. This is a factual aggregate of the public record, not advice or strategy for any specific claim.

32% Benefit of the doubt doctrine stated or applied
The Board cited the statutory benefit of the doubt doctrine, noting that when evidence is in approximate balance the claimant prevails, and either applied or declined to apply it based on the evidentiary balance.
162 of 500 sample sentences
22% VA or private examiner nexus opinion cited as at least as likely as not
A VA or private medical examiner opined that the veteran's disability was at least as likely as not incurred in, caused by, or related to military service or a service-connected condition.
112 of 500 sample sentences
18% Evidence found in relative equipoise on claim
The Board found the positive and negative evidence approximately balanced or in relative equipoise on a specific issue, resulting in a grant in the veteran's favor.
89 of 500 sample sentences
9% Preponderance of evidence against claim; benefit of doubt inapplicable
The Board found the preponderance of evidence persuasively against the claim, rendering the benefit of the doubt doctrine inapplicable and requiring denial.
45 of 500 sample sentences
6% Examiner nexus opinion noted as negative or against the claim
A VA or private examiner opined that a disability was not at least as likely as not related to service or a service-connected condition, weighing against the claim.
28 of 500 sample sentences
5% Remand instructions requesting nexus opinion on eye disability
The Board issued remand instructions directing an examiner to opine whether a specific eye disability was at least as likely as not related to service, toxic exposure, or a service-connected condition.
25 of 500 sample sentences
5% At-least-as-likely-as-not standard defined or explained
The Board or examiner instructions defined the 'at least as likely as not' threshold, clarifying it means approximately balanced or nearly equal probability, not mere possibility.
24 of 500 sample sentences
3% Eye-specific nexus opinion or finding cited in record
The record contained a medical opinion or finding specifically addressing whether the veteran's eye condition was at least as likely as not caused by or related to service, in-service injury, or secondary to a service-connected disability.
15 of 500 sample sentences

Disclaimer: This page reproduces public Department of Veterans Affairs forms (DBQs) and verbatim text from 38 CFR Part 4 (the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities). It is informational only and is not legal or medical advice. For guidance on a specific claim, contact a VA-accredited representative.