Reference: 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012

Sources & Related Guides

What is the VA rating for Glaucoma?

Evaluated on visual field contraction, central visual acuity impairment under 38 CFR § 4.75, or continuous topical medication requirement.

Condition Overview & Clinical Scope

Evaluated on visual field contraction, central visual acuity impairment under 38 CFR § 4.75, or continuous topical medication requirement.

EXPLORE THIS CONDITION

Explore Glaucoma Criteria & Tools

Start AssessmentAnswer condition-scoped questions using documented findings from your records or exam notes.ContinuePercentage GuideSee the published percentage tiers and what changes between them.ContinueSecondary ConditionsSee conditions commonly connected to this one in VA claims.Continue

Save this condition to find it again later. Designed to be stored in this browser's local storage. Lost if you clear browser data or switch devices or browsers.

Common Questions & FAQs

Start with your question

What are you trying to understand about glaucoma?

Compare your records in assessmentRead overview

Overview

About this condition

Evaluated on visual field contraction, central visual acuity impairment under 38 CFR § 4.75, or continuous topical medication requirement.

Regulatory authority: 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012

This guide provides regulatory reference criteria under 38 CFR Part 4. RatingScope does not provide medical diagnoses or predict adjudicative outcomes.

Percentage Guides

Understanding Your Percentage

Select a pathway to see what the published criteria ask about, what records may clarify it, and what should not be assumed.

60%

Highest listed pathway

Visual field loss severely contracted to 10 degrees or less in one or both eyes.

What separates the next level: Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012 establishes the 60% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 60% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 60% criteria under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012.
Medical evidence
Eye Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960D-1); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
glaucoma; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 6012

40%

Next: 60%

Visual field loss contracted to between 11 and 20 degrees, or severe visual acuity reduction.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012 establishes the 40% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 40% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 40% criteria under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012.
Medical evidence
Eye Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960D-1); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
glaucoma; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 6012

20%

Next: 40%

Visual field loss contracted to between 21 and 30 degrees.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 40% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012 establishes the 20% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 20% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 20% criteria under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012.
Medical evidence
Eye Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960D-1); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
glaucoma; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 6012

10%

Next: 20%

Requires continuous daily pressure-lowering eye drops to prevent visual loss.

What separates the next level: Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Review CFR criteria, examples, and evidence
Official CFR language
38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012 establishes the 10% evaluation criteria.
What the published criteria say
Medical records must document the specific functional findings and clinical thresholds corresponding to the 10% level.
Examples
Veteran has clinical documentation demonstrating the 10% criteria under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012.
Medical evidence
Eye Conditions DBQ (VA Form 21-0960D-1); Clinical treatment progress notes; Diagnostic testing reports
Functional impact examples
Documented impairment affecting daily physical or occupational performance.
Common misconceptions
A clinical diagnosis alone without documented severity does not guarantee a compensable rating.
Related topics
glaucoma; 38 CFR Part 4; DC 6012

Learn

Understand the details behind the criteria

Use these short guides to connect published terms with the records and observations that may clarify them.

Visual field contraction, pressure measurements, and daily treatment

Glaucoma is evaluated primarily on the loss of peripheral visual fields or central visual acuity, alongside the continuous use of pressure-lowering medications.

  • The condition causes progressive optic nerve damage, typically starting with loss of peripheral vision rather than central acuity.
  • Formal visual field examinations, such as Humphrey or Goldmann perimetry, map degrees of peripheral field contraction in each eye.
  • Daily prescription eye drops to manage intraocular pressure document the chronic requirement for continuous medical therapy.

Records to review: Automated or manual visual field perimetry test results; Intraocular pressure measurements and tonometry records; Pharmacy records confirming continuous use of pressure-lowering drops.

Evidence

Evidence that may clarify the published criteria

Glaucoma DBQ

The DBQ organizes diagnosis and clinical findings for Glaucoma.

A DBQ is useful context, but RatingScope does not require uploads and this hub does not accept records.

Diagnosis and treatment records

Treatment notes can show the current condition, course over time, therapy, and clinician observations.

A diagnosis alone does not identify which percentage pathway applies.

VA forms and DBQs (from VA.gov)

Downloadable DBQs & Supporting Claim Forms

The public DBQ shows the kinds of findings an examiner may record. A veteran may review it, or may share it with a private clinician, before a C&P exam. RatingScope does not tell any person what to submit.

Terminology

Plain-English terms

Common Questions

Questions veterans commonly ask

How is Glaucoma evaluated?

Evaluated on visual field contraction, central visual acuity impairment under 38 CFR § 4.75, or continuous topical medication requirement.

What separates the 60% rating from adjacent levels?

Highest compensable evaluation defined under this diagnostic code.

What separates the 40% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 60% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 20% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 40% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

What separates the 10% rating from adjacent levels?

Differs from the 20% tier based on frequency, objective test measurements, or treatment intensity.

Related Conditions

Continue learning through connected topics

Ready when you are

Glaucoma is evaluated under the Eye Conditions assessment

RatingScope compares Glaucoma records using the published criteria in the Eye Conditions assessment. Compare your documented records against the criteria.

Informational guidance only. RatingScope does not predict, decide, or guarantee VA outcomes.

Compare records in the Eye Conditions assessment

Learn More

Continue Understanding

External source/reference

38 CFR 4.97, DC 6012

Official regulation source for Glaucoma. Use the official source for current rule text.

Open 38 CFR 4.97, DC 6012

External source/reference

VA Glaucoma DBQ

Public VA DBQ showing the kinds of findings that may be documented.

Open VA Glaucoma DBQ

Secondary conditions

Conditions commonly connected to Glaucoma

No commonly documented secondary connections are tracked for Glaucoma yet.

Educational Guides & Evidence Resources

In-depth analysis of DBQ forms, medical evidence thresholds, and rating schedules for Glaucoma.

How VA Rates Eye Conditions: Visual Acuity, Field Loss, Cataracts, and Glaucoma Guide

Learn how the VA evaluates vision loss and eye diseases under 38 CFR 4.79, central visual acuity, visual field contraction, cataracts, and glaucoma ratings.

Eye Conditions C&P Exam & DBQ Guide: Evidence and Vision Testing

Understand the VA Eye Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ), best-corrected Snellen acuity, Goldmann perimetry, diplopia, and incapacitating episodes.

Visual Acuity VA Rating Criteria: DC 6061-6066 Combined Eye Tables Guide

Learn how the VA evaluates central visual acuity loss under 38 CFR 4.75-4.77, Diagnostic Codes 6061-6066 paired-eye tables, and the single-eye 20/40 rule.

Visual Field Loss VA Rating: DC 6080 and DC 6081 Perimetry Tables Guide

Detailed analysis of VA peripheral vision loss ratings under 38 CFR 4.76, DC 6080 concentric contraction degrees, hemianopsia, and DC 6081 scotoma rules.

Glaucoma VA Rating Criteria: DC 6012 and DC 6013 General Formula Guide

Detailed analysis of VA glaucoma ratings under 38 CFR 4.79, DC 6012 open-angle, DC 6013 angle-closure, continuous medication floor, and field loss.

Keep going

Related Tools

Compare a percentage level and combined-rating math, or review evidence context.

See all tools

VA Math & Combined Ratings

Understand the whole-person method, final rounding, and bilateral limits, then calculate how percentages combine.

Open VA Math guide

Evidence Center

Understand common evidence categories and what they can clarify without treating them as a checklist.

Open Evidence Center