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Macular Degeneration

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.

Code: 6042
Criteria: 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6042 — no criteria of its own; rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher)
Exam length: ~30-45 minutes
Form: Eye Conditions DBQ

Rating steps

0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
100%

The percentages this diagnostic code can be rated at. Which one applies depends on the findings — no tool here can tell you in advance.

What happens at the appointment

The examiner will dilate your pupils and examine the macula of each eye for drusen, pigmentary changes, geographic atrophy (dry form), or choroidal neovascularization (wet form).
Visual acuity testing will be the most critical part of the exam — you will read letter charts for both distance and near vision, as the VA rates macular degeneration primarily on acuity loss.
You may be asked to look at an Amsler grid (a grid of straight lines) to demonstrate any central vision distortion, blind spots, or wavy lines that are characteristic of macular disease.
OCT imaging and possibly fluorescein angiography may be performed to evaluate the extent of macular damage.
The examiner will ask about your treatment history, including any anti-VEGF injections for the wet form, vitamin supplements (AREDS formula), and how central vision loss affects your daily function.

What the examiner is actually filling in

01Best corrected visual acuity for distance and near vision in each eye — this is the primary determinant of the VA disability rating for macular degeneration.
02Type of macular degeneration (dry or wet) and the specific findings on retinal examination.
03Central visual field deficits including scotomas identified through Amsler grid testing or formal perimetry.
04Whether the condition is stable or progressing, and the current treatment plan.
05Functional impact on reading, driving, face recognition, and activities requiring detailed central vision.

Rated under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6042 — no criteria of its own; rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher). The examiner records findings on the DBQ; a rating specialist makes the decision.

A complete answer sounds like

During the acuity test, read only the letters you can clearly identify — do not guess, as an artificially better score will lower your rating.
Demonstrate the Amsler grid distortion to the examiner: "When I look at the center dot, the lines to the right of it are wavy and there is a gray area where I cannot see the grid at all."
Describe the practical reality of central vision loss: "I cannot read a book, I cannot see my grandchildren's faces clearly from across the room, and I cannot drive because I cannot read road signs."
If you have wet AMD requiring ongoing injections, emphasize the treatment burden and the fact that the underlying disease is chronic and requires lifelong monitoring.
Mention any contrast sensitivity problems — "I have trouble seeing in low light or distinguishing objects against similar-colored backgrounds" — as these are functional impairments that acuity testing alone may not capture.

What costs veterans points

Not understanding that macular degeneration is rated on the resulting visual impairment, not the diagnosis alone — you need documented acuity loss or visual field deficits to receive a compensable rating.
Failing to describe central vision scotomas (blind spots) that the acuity chart may not fully capture — you can have significant functional impairment even with "acceptable" acuity numbers.
Not reporting difficulty with specific tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces, which demonstrate the functional impact of central vision loss.
Assuming the dry form is not ratable because there is no active treatment — geographic atrophy (advanced dry AMD) can cause severe, permanent central vision loss.
Not mentioning the need for magnification devices, large-print materials, or other low-vision aids, which demonstrate the severity of impairment.

The rating criteria, in plain language

Rating levels for Macular Degeneration under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6042 — no criteria of its own; rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher)
Rating	Rating criteria	What that means for you
0%	6042 Retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa, wet or dry macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration, rod and/or cone dystrophy) … In every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.	You have early macular degeneration with no significant vision loss.
0%	What supports this level Macular degeneration diagnosed on eye exam No significant visual acuity loss Drusen or early retinal changes on imaging
10%	6042 Retinal dystrophy (including retinitis pigmentosa, wet or dry macular degeneration, early-onset macular degeneration, rod and/or cone dystrophy) … With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 1 but less than 3 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months	This eye condition required one or two documented treatment visits in the past 12 months. Under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye an incapacitating episode is a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment — a flare-up you rode out at home does not count. The VA evaluates on the visit count OR on your measured visual impairment, whichever is higher.
10%	What supports this level Clinic visit records for one or two treatment visits, each with a date and the treatment given (for example anti-VEGF injections) Alternatively, corrected visual acuity of 20/50 in one eye with 20/40 or better in the other Central visual field changes documented Regular ophthalmology follow-up records OCT imaging showing macular changes
20%	General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation … With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 3 but less than 5 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months	This eye condition required three or four documented treatment visits in the past 12 months. Under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye an incapacitating episode is a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment — a flare-up you rode out at home does not count. The VA evaluates on the visit count OR on your measured visual impairment, whichever is higher.
20%	What supports this level Clinic visit records for three or four treatment visits, each with a date and the treatment given Alternatively, corrected visual acuity of 20/200 in one eye with 20/40 or better in the other Serial OCT showing progression of macular changes Fluorescein angiography documenting choroidal neovascularisation
30%	General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation … Vision in one eye 20/70 (6/21): … In the other eye 20/70 (6/21)	Corrected vision is 20/70 in both eyes. 38 CFR 4.75(d) caps visual impairment of one eye at 30 percent unless the eye is anatomically lost, so this level requires both eyes to be affected.
30%	What supports this level Corrected visual acuity of 20/70 in BOTH eyes Central scotoma documented on visual field testing Moderate macular degeneration on imaging Impact on reading, driving, or recognizing faces
40%	General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation … With documented incapacitating episodes requiring at least 5 but less than 7 treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months	This eye condition required five or six documented treatment visits in the past 12 months. Under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye an incapacitating episode is a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment — a flare-up you rode out at home does not count. The VA evaluates on the visit count OR on your measured visual impairment, whichever is higher.
40%	What supports this level Clinic visit records for five or six treatment visits, each with a date and the treatment given Alternatively, corrected visual acuity of 20/200 in one eye with 20/70 in the other Geographic atrophy or disciform scarring documented on imaging Visual acuity and visual field measured in BOTH eyes at each visit
50%	Vision in one eye 20/100 (6/30): … In the other eye 20/100 (6/30) … The evaluation for visual impairment of one eye must not exceed 30 percent unless there is anatomical loss of the eye.	Corrected vision is 20/100 in both eyes. 38 CFR 4.75(d) caps visual impairment of one eye at 30 percent unless the eye is anatomically lost, so this level requires both eyes to be affected.
50%	What supports this level Corrected visual acuity of 20/100 in BOTH eyes Bilateral macular atrophy or scarring on OCT Central scotoma documented in BOTH eyes Low vision rehabilitation referral
60%	General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye: Evaluate on the basis of either visual impairment due to the particular condition or on incapacitating episodes, whichever results in a higher evaluation … With documented incapacitating episodes requiring 7 or more treatment visits for an eye condition during the past 12 months	This eye condition required seven or more documented treatment visits in the past 12 months. Under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye an incapacitating episode is a clinic visit to a provider specifically for treatment — a flare-up you rode out at home does not count. The VA evaluates on the visit count OR on your measured visual impairment, whichever is higher.
60%	What supports this level Clinic visit records for seven or more treatment visits, each with a date and the treatment given Alternatively, corrected visual acuity of 20/200 in one eye with 20/100 in the other Severe central visual field loss Advanced macular degeneration on imaging Significant functional limitation
100%	6062 No more than light perception in both eyes 1 … 6061 Anatomical loss of both eyes 1	You have no more than light perception in both eyes, or anatomical loss of both eyes. Review entitlement to special monthly compensation under 38 CFR 3.350.
100%	What supports this level 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

The middle column is our transcription of the criteria at 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6042 — no criteria of its own; rated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye (visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, whichever is higher), condensed for reading. Read the section itself on eCFR before relying on the exact wording. The items under each level are the kinds of evidence that document it — not a VA checklist, and not a prediction of which level applies to you.

Mistakes we see most often

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).

Before & after your exam

These apply to every C&P exam, whatever the condition.

Do not miss the appointment: Missing your C&P exam without a good reason can cost you. Under 38 CFR § 3.655, a missed exam can cause a claim for an increased rating or a reopened claim to be denied, and can cause an original claim to be decided on the evidence already in your file. If you cannot make it, call the VA or the exam company right away to reschedule — a documented good reason (illness, work conflict, no transportation, a family emergency) protects your claim.
Your examiner may be a contractor: Many C&P exams are performed by VA-contracted companies — QTC, Optum Serve (LHI), VES, or MSLA — not at a VA hospital. They will call, text, or mail you to schedule. Do not ignore an unknown number or letter while your claim is pending, and confirm the exam location and time before you go.
The examiner does not decide your claim: The examiner's job is to record findings on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ). A rating specialist at the Regional Office makes the actual decision, using the exam together with your full record — service records, medical records, and lay statements. One appointment does not settle everything.
Get a copy of your exam report: After the exam you can request the report (often called the DBQ or C&P exam results) through VA.gov, the Blue Button tool, or your accredited representative. Reading it lets you catch errors while you still have time to respond.
If the exam was inadequate, you have options: If the examiner rushed you, evaluated the wrong condition, or the report is inaccurate, you can submit a statement and new evidence, and — after a decision — request a review (a Supplemental Claim or Higher-Level Review). A single bad exam is not the end of your claim.

View condition guide →View evidence checklist →

Folder readiness

Tick these off as you gather them. Nothing here is required — the exam happens either way — but each one is something the examiner cannot record if it is not in front of them.

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Take it with you

Print the whole guide — what the examiner records, the folder list with your ticks, the criteria table and the mistakes to avoid — and bring it to the appointment.

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C&P Exam Preparation Guides

The VA orders this exam to verify your diagnosis and measure how severe it is right now. It can shape your rating and your monthly compensation — but it does not decide your claim. A rating specialist weighs it against your full record, and if the exam does not reflect your condition, you can say so and ask the VA to correct it.

Source forms
Coverage

Macular Degeneration

Rating steps

What happens at the appointment

What the examiner is actually filling in

A complete answer sounds like

What costs veterans points

The rating criteria, in plain language

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

Mistakes we see most often

Before & after your exam

Macular Degeneration

Rating steps

What happens at the appointment

What the examiner is actually filling in

A complete answer sounds like

What costs veterans points

The rating criteria, in plain language

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

What supports this level

Mistakes we see most often

Before & after your exam