Eye/VisionDC 6080

Visual Field Loss

Visual field impairment is rated under DC 6080. This measures how much of the surrounding area your eye can see when looking straight ahead (peripheral vision). The VA uses a specialized chart with concentric circles and 8 directional lines to map the extent of your visual field. Ratings are based on either loss of entire sections of vision (often from brain trauma) or average concentric contraction. Scotoma (DC 6081) has a minimum 10% rating per eye if one-quarter of the visual field is affected or blind spots are within the central 30-degree circle.

VA Rating Levels

10%

Loss of the nasal or top half of the visual field in one or both eyes, OR average concentric contraction between 46-60 degrees in one or both eyes.

30%

Loss of the bottom or temporal half in both eyes, OR homonymous hemianopsia (loss of the same side in both eyes), OR average concentric contraction between 31-45 degrees in both eyes.

50%

Average concentric contraction between 16-30 degrees in both eyes.

70%

Average concentric contraction between 6-15 degrees in both eyes.

100%

Average concentric contraction less than 6 degrees in both eyes.

Exam Tips & Key Evidence

→Visual field loss is rated separately from visual acuity loss. You can potentially receive ratings for both if you have impairment in each area.
→Visual field loss is often the result of brain trauma such as TBI or stroke. If your field loss is secondary to another service-connected condition, pursue it as a secondary claim.
→The visual field test involves detecting lights that are moved closer to your center of vision. Make sure you are well-rested and alert for this test, as fatigue can affect results.
→If only one eye has visual field loss, the maximum single-eye rating depends on the type of loss. Both-eye ratings are significantly higher than single-eye ratings.
→If you also have scotoma (blind spots), the minimum rating is 10% per eye if a quarter of the field is affected or spots are within the central 30 degrees.

Commonly Related Conditions

Traumatic Brain InjuryGlaucomaStrokeOptic Neuropathy

38 CFR Reference

38 CFR 4.79, Diagnostic Code 6080