VA Disability Benefits for Astigmatism | VA Disability Group PLLC

Astigmatism is a common visual impairment for which many veterans may not realize they could collect disability compensation. This is because astigmatism is one of those conditions that isn’t easy to prove has a direct service connection, so much so that it doesn’t even have its own diagnostic code in VA’s schedule of ratings. That means that even if you have a current, specific diagnosis of astigmatism, VA does not have a matching entry telling you how precisely how your level of astigmatic disability is rated, nor what level of compensation you would be granted.

That said, hundreds of thousands of veterans are granted disability compensation based on all sorts of visual impairments, and given the right diagnosis and ability to prove secondary service connection makes it possible for veterans to receive compensation for astigmatism.

What is Astigmatism?

Astigmatism refers to an imperfection or curvature of your eye’s lens (lenticular astigmatism) or cornea (corneal astigmatism), which usually results in blurry near and far vision. Whereas the eye should be round, like a baseball or basketball, an astigmatism means the lens or cornea has taken on an oval shape more closely resembling a football. If the football shape is horizontal, like it’s laying on the ground, it’s called with-the-rule astigmatism. If it’s on it end, like it we’re being held for field goal, it’s called against-the-rule astigmatism. Either way results in the same symptoms, causing light to bend improperly, which is called a ‘refractive error.’ Astigmatism will frequently be accompanied by other issues like nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Genetics likely play the greatest role in the development of astigmatism, but other causes include eye injury, problems fro eye surgery, or eye diseases. Symptoms include blurry or distorted vision, eyestrain, headaches, eye discomfort, and squinting to see clearly.

Usually, eyeglasses or contact lenses are used to correct for astigmatism, but laser surgery may help as well.

Getting Compensation for Astigmatism

As mentioned above, astigmatism does not have its own diagnostic criteria, and in cases where it can be treated easily with corrective lenses or contacts, it is not considered eligible for compensation. However, if astigmatism is treated as a symptom of an underlying condition, it’s possible for veterans to gain compensation based on the level of visual impairment.

VA specifically asks about astigmatism in the Eye Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire, asking whether or not the veteran regularly wears corrective lenses to address the issue, and if the corrected visual acuity was determined using contact lenses. VA is also clear that astigmatism cannot be service-connected unless it has been unusually developed or produces an uncorrectable visual impairment.

To clarify the whole situation, all vision problems are rated based three main sets of criteria in the Federal Register’s schedule of disability ratings. These include impairment to central visual acuity, impairment to field of vision, and impairment to muscle function.

A General Rating Formula exists for conditions such as scleritis or detachment of the retina and grants the veteran a 10, 20, 40, or 60% rating based on either the level of visual impairment or the number of incapacitating episodes per 12-month period, whichever is greater. Astigmatism does not fall within this set of criteria. Instead, it is rated based on the three above sets of criteria to find out how serious your astigmatism is. You will be tested for central visual acuity, meaning how well you can distinguish shapes and finer distinctions within a printed or projected environment. You will be tested for your field of vision, which checks your peripheral vision as you look at a central location, as well as muscle function, to see how well your eye moves.

These three areas can be tested and graded by an ophthalmologist or optometrist only, and will be exceedingly important in your C&P examination.

How Does VA Rate Vision- and Eye-Related Conditions?

As mentioned above, some eye conditions come with distinct rating criteria based on the severity of visual impairment or frequency of issues related to it. For an astigmatism, ratings are based on the loss of vision, perception, or visual acuity. To qualify for a rating, your central visual acuity in at least one eye must be 20/40 or worse.

Anatomical loss of one eye:

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60): 100
In the other eye 10/200 (3/60): 90
In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60): 80
In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 60
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 50
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 40

No more than light perception in one eye:

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60): 100
In the other eye 10/200 (3/60): 90
In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60): 80
In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 50
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 40
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 30

Vision in one eye 5/200 (1.5/60):

In the other eye 5/200 (1.5/60): 100
In the other eye 10/200 (3/60): 90
In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60): 80
In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 50
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 40
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 30

Visual acuity in one eye 10/200 (3/60) or better:

Vision in one eye 10/200 (3/60):

In the other eye 10/200 (3/60): 90
In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60): 80
In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 50
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 40
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 30

Vision in one eye 15/200 (4.5/60):

In the other eye 15/200 (4.5/60): 80
In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 40
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 30
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 20

Vision in one eye 20/200 (6/60)

In the other eye 20/200 (6/60): 70
In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 60
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 40
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 30
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 20

Vision in one eye 20/100 (6/30):

In the other eye 20/100 (6/30): 50
In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 30
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 20
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 10

Vision in one eye 20/70 (6/21):

In the other eye 20/70 (6/21): 30
In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 20
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 10

Vision in one eye 20/50 (6/15):

In the other eye 20/50 (6/15): 10
In the other eye 20/40 (6/12): 10

Vision in one eye 20/40 (6/12):

In the other eye 20/40 (6/12) 0

Assistance With Your Claim

It may be very difficult for a veteran to get disability compensation for astigmatism, which is why it’s highly recommended that anyone seeking to file a new claim or appeal should work with a professional. VA Disabilities Group PLLC is here to ensure that your case has the strongest chance of winning you compensation. Please contact us online or at 844-VET-LAWS today to start working on your claim related to astigmatism.