Diagnostic Code 6035 · 38 CFR §4.79
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape, causing increasingly distorted vision that cannot be fully corrected with standard glasses. It often begins in the late teens or twenties, meaning many veterans first develop or notice symptoms during active duty. The irregular corneal shape causes ghosting, multiple images, light sensitivity, and difficulty with night vision.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | Mild keratoconus correctable with rigid gas permeable contact lenses, with visual acuity meeting the 10 percent threshold. |
| 20% | Moderate keratoconus with visual acuity loss despite best correction meeting the 20 percent level. |
| 30% | Advanced keratoconus in one eye with significant visual acuity loss or contact lens intolerance. |
| 60% | Severe bilateral keratoconus with substantial visual impairment despite all corrective measures. |
Corneal topography showing the cone shape and progression over time, visual acuity with and without correction, contact lens fitting records, documentation of when the condition was first diagnosed (ideally during service), and records of any corneal cross-linking or transplant procedures.
Potentially. If keratoconus was not noted on your entrance exam but was documented during service, the presumption of soundness applies. Even if it pre-existed, you can claim aggravation if it worsened beyond natural progression during service.
Yes. The VA covers corneal cross-linking treatment to halt keratoconus progression. Having this procedure also documents the severity of your condition for rating purposes.
If you cannot tolerate rigid contact lenses, the VA should rate based on your visual acuity with the best correction you can actually use (usually glasses, which correct keratoconus poorly). This often results in a higher rating than if contact lens correction were possible.