Macular Degeneration

DC 6011Organs of Sense38 CFR 4.79, DC 6011

A disease that damages the sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving, and recognizing faces. The VA rates macular degeneration based on how much central vision you have lost, measured by visual acuity and visual field tests.

Rating Levels

You have blindness or near-total bilateral vision loss from macular degeneration.

What the VA looks for

Near-total or total bilateral vision loss
Visual acuity worse than 5/200 in both eyes
End-stage macular degeneration on imaging
Inability to perform daily activities independently

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting regular eye exams to document disease progression — macular degeneration is progressive, and your rating can be increased as vision worsens.
⚠Not connecting macular degeneration to herbicide (Agent Orange) exposure or other service-connected conditions.
⚠Not requesting ancillary testing (OCT, fluorescein angiography) that documents the extent of retinal damage.
⚠Not filing for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) if vision loss qualifies as legal blindness (20/200 or worse in both eyes).

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…