Retinal Detachment

DC 6008Organs of Sense38 CFR 4.79, DC 6008

A serious eye condition where the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye) pulls away from its normal position. The VA rates retinal detachment based on the visual impairment that remains after treatment or surgery.

Rating Levels

Your retinal detachment has caused blindness or near-total vision loss in both eyes.

What the VA looks for

Near-total or total bilateral vision loss
Visual acuity worse than 5/200 in both eyes
Failed retinal repair or recurrent detachment
Inability to function independently due to vision loss

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not documenting your vision before and after retinal surgery — the VA rates on residual visual impairment, so showing what vision remains after repair is critical.
⚠Not filing for secondary conditions like anxiety or depression caused by sudden vision loss or fear of recurrence.
⚠Not getting both visual acuity and visual field testing — retinal detachment can cause blind spots (scotomas) that visual field testing captures even if your acuity seems okay.
⚠Not connecting retinal detachment to military service, such as blast injuries, head trauma, or high-G force exposure during service.
⚠If your retinal detachment was caused by another service-connected condition (like cataract surgery complications or diabetes), make sure to file it as a secondary condition.

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…