Diabetic Retinopathy

DC 6006Organs of Sense38 CFR 4.79, DC 6006

Damage to the blood vessels in the back of the eye caused by diabetes, which can lead to vision loss. The VA rates diabetic retinopathy based on how much it affects your vision, measured by visual acuity tests and visual field testing.

Rating Levels

You have blindness or near-total vision loss in both eyes from diabetic retinopathy.

What the VA looks for

Near-total or total vision loss in both eyes
Visual acuity worse than 5/200 bilaterally
Severe retinal damage on imaging
Inability to perform daily activities independently

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not filing diabetic retinopathy as secondary to service-connected diabetes — this is one of the most common secondary conditions.
⚠Not getting both visual acuity and visual field testing — the VA uses whichever gives the higher rating.
⚠Not documenting the need for laser treatment or injections — frequent treatment supports functional impairment claims.
⚠If you have different levels of vision loss in each eye, the VA rates each eye separately and combines them.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Eye Conditions

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…