Secondary Condition Claim · VASRD 6077
Impairment of Central Visual Acuity Secondary to Glaucoma
A condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted its own service connection as a secondary condition under 38 CFR § 3.310. Here's how that works for Impairment of Central Visual Acuity when it develops after Glaucoma.
Primary condition · VASRD 6070
Glaucoma
A condition where pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve.
Secondary condition · VASRD 6077
Impairment of Central Visual Acuity
This code rates central visual acuity, how sharply you can see fine detail, using a detailed table that combines your best-corrected vision in each eye, rather than the simpler correctable-versus-not distinction used by some other vision codes. If your rating decision cites this code, both eyes' specific Snellen chart results (like 20/40 or 20/70) are what determines your tier.
Impairment of Central Visual Acuity VA Rating Tiers
The VA rates Impairment of Central Visual Acuity the same way whether it's claimed directly or as secondary to Glaucoma — severity of Impairment of Central Visual Acuity itself determines the percentage.
Example combined rating
10% Glaucoma + 30% Impairment of Central Visual Acuity = 37%
The VA combines ratings with Table I of 38 CFR 4.25, not simple addition — 10% and 30% combine to 37%, not 40%. These figures are illustrative; your actual rating for each condition depends on your own evaluation.
Evidence for a Impairment of Central Visual Acuity Secondary Claim
- •Optometrist or ophthalmologist exams with precise acuity measurements for each eye.
- •Visual field testing providing additional context on the extent of vision loss.
Common questions about Impairment of Central Visual Acuity secondary to Glaucoma
- Can Impairment of Central Visual Acuity be service-connected as secondary to Glaucoma?
- Yes. Under 38 CFR § 3.310, a condition that is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability can be granted secondary service connection. You'll need a current Impairment of Central Visual Acuity diagnosis and a medical nexus opinion linking it to your service-connected Glaucoma — the same standard t…
- What VA rating can I get for Impairment of Central Visual Acuity as a secondary condition?
- Impairment of Central Visual Acuity is rated under VASRD diagnostic code 6077 using the same criteria whether it's a direct or secondary claim: possible ratings are 100%, 70%, 30%, 10%. The rating depends on the severity of Impairment of Central Visual Acuity itself, not on the severity of Glaucoma.
- How does a secondary Impairment of Central Visual Acuity claim affect my combined VA rating?
- The VA doesn't add ratings together. Using the official combined-ratings formula (38 CFR 4.25): a 10% rating for Glaucoma combined with a 30% rating for Impairment of Central Visual Acuity (example figures) produces a combined rating of 37%, not 40%. Approving Impairment of Central Visual Acuity as secondary still typ…
- What evidence do I need to service-connect Impairment of Central Visual Acuity as secondary to Glaucoma?
- Strong evidence for the underlying Impairment of Central Visual Acuity diagnosis includes: Optometrist or ophthalmologist exams with precise acuity measurements for each eye.; Visual field testing providing additional context on the extent of vision loss.. For the secondary link itself, a nexus letter from a treating…
Primary condition
Full Glaucoma guide
Secondary condition
Full Impairment of Central Visual Acuity guide
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