Dry Eye VA Disability Rating: Criteria, Evidence & Pay

What is dry eye and how does it affect veterans?

Dry eye syndrome (also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca) is a chronic condition where your eyes do not produce enough tears or produce tears that evaporate too quickly. Tears are essential for maintaining eye surface health, providing clear vision, and protecting against infection. When tear production or quality is inadequate, the eyes become irritated, inflamed, and vulnerable to damage.

Veterans experience dry eye at elevated rates due to the environments and conditions inherent in military service. Desert deployments expose eyes to constant sand, dust, and wind. High-altitude operations, prolonged screen use in modern military operations, and exposure to exhaust fumes and burn pit smoke all stress the ocular surface. Military-issued protective eyewear, while essential, can alter airflow around the eyes. Perhaps most significantly, many veterans who had LASIK or PRK refractive surgery during service develop chronic dry eye as a post-surgical complication — the procedure cuts corneal nerves that stimulate tear production.

Dry eye is far more than a minor inconvenience. Veterans with the condition describe constant burning, stinging, and the feeling of sand or grit in their eyes. Vision fluctuates throughout the day, particularly during reading, driving, or screen use. Severe dry eye can damage the corneal surface, leading to corneal erosions, scarring, and permanent vision loss. The constant discomfort causes eye fatigue that contributes to headaches and difficulty concentrating. Many veterans find that dry eye limits their ability to work, drive safely, and enjoy activities they once took for granted.

VA diagnostic code for dry eye

Dry eye syndrome is rated under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6025 per 38 CFR § 4.79, Schedule of Ratings — Eye.

DC 6025 covers disorders of the lacrimal apparatus (the system that produces and drains tears). Dry eye is often rated by analogy because the rating schedule does not have a specific diagnostic code for dry eye syndrome. The VA may also rate it analogous to chronic conjunctivitis (DC 6018). The minimum rating for active pathology is 10%.

Rating criteria for dry eye

The VA assigns dry eye ratings based on the presence of active pathology and resulting visual impairment:

0% rating

Criteria: Diagnosed dry eye that is asymptomatic or fully controlled with treatment, with no active pathology and no visual impairment.

Monthly payment: $0 (but establishes service connection for future increases and secondary claims)

What this looks like: Your dry eye diagnosis is confirmed but controlled with artificial tears or other treatments to the point of minimal symptoms and no measurable impact on vision. This is relatively uncommon among veterans who claim the condition.

10% rating — $180.42/month

Criteria: Active pathology — chronic dry eye with ongoing symptoms requiring treatment. Analogous to chronic conjunctivitis with active condition.

What this looks like: You have ongoing dry eye symptoms that require regular treatment — artificial tears multiple times daily, prescription eye drops (such as cyclosporine or lifitegrast), warm compresses, or other interventions. Your eyes show signs of active disease on examination — reduced tear production on Schirmer testing, fast tear breakup time, or ocular surface staining. This is the most commonly assigned rating for dry eye.

20% rating — $356.66/month

Criteria: Dry eye causing visual impairment equivalent to 20/70 corrected vision in one eye or visual field defect, or other measurable visual impairment at the 20% level based on the visual acuity and visual field rating tables.

What this looks like: Your dry eye is severe enough to impair your vision measurably. Despite treatment, your corneal surface is compromised to the point where visual acuity is reduced or your vision fluctuates significantly. You may have corneal scarring or irregularity from chronic dry eye damage.

30% rating — $552.47/month

Criteria: Dry eye causing visual impairment equivalent to the 30% level based on the visual acuity and visual field rating tables, or significant bilateral visual impairment from corneal damage.

What this looks like: Severe dry eye has caused substantial corneal damage in one or both eyes, resulting in significant visual impairment despite treatment. Your corrected visual acuity is reduced to a degree that meets the 30% level on the VA visual acuity rating table. This represents advanced dry eye disease with structural damage to the eyes.

What evidence do you need?

Service records

• Service treatment records documenting eye complaints, dryness, or irritation during service
• Records of environmental exposures — desert deployments, burn pit exposure, chemical exposure
• LASIK or PRK surgical records if refractive surgery was performed during service
• Records of protective eyewear issued and conditions requiring its use
• Documentation of duties involving prolonged screen use, wind exposure, or dusty environments

Medical evidence

• Ophthalmologist or optometrist diagnosis of dry eye syndrome or keratoconjunctivitis sicca
• Schirmer test results measuring tear production (less than 10mm in 5 minutes is abnormal)
• Tear breakup time (TBUT) measurements showing rapid tear film instability
• Corneal staining results (fluorescein, lissamine green, or rose bengal) showing ocular surface damage
• Visual acuity testing documenting any vision impairment
• Treatment records showing all prescribed medications (artificial tears, Restasis, Xiidra, etc.)
• Records of any procedures performed for dry eye (punctal plugs, intense pulsed light, etc.)
• Meibomian gland imaging if available

Nexus letter

A medical opinion from an eye doctor connecting your dry eye to military service. The letter should identify the specific cause — environmental exposure, refractive surgery, secondary to TBI or medication, or direct onset during service — and explain the medical mechanism.

Buddy statements

Statements from people who observe your dry eye symptoms daily — constant eye drops use, rubbing or squinting, complaints about vision, difficulty driving or reading, and avoidance of activities due to eye discomfort. Statements from fellow service members who shared the same environmental exposures can also support the claim.

C&P exam tips for dry eye

What the examiner evaluates

• Confirmation of dry eye diagnosis through clinical testing
• Tear production (Schirmer test)
• Tear quality (tear breakup time)
• Ocular surface health (corneal and conjunctival staining)
• Visual acuity with and without correction
• Current treatment regimen and its effectiveness
• Functional impact on daily activities and employment
• Connection to service or service-connected conditions

How to prepare

1. Do not use eye drops immediately before the exam. The examiner needs to see your eyes in their typical state. If you normally use drops every hour, the exam should capture what your eyes look like between drops.
2. Bring all eye medications. Have every eye drop, ointment, and supplement you use, along with how frequently you use each one.
3. Know your test results. Bring copies of prior Schirmer tests, tear breakup time measurements, and corneal staining results. Trends showing worsening over time are particularly valuable.
4. Describe your worst symptoms. Talk about the burning, stinging, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Explain how these symptoms affect driving, reading, screen work, and outdoor activities.
5. Report visual fluctuations. If your vision gets worse as the day progresses or worsens in certain environments (wind, air conditioning, screens), describe this pattern.
6. Mention headaches and fatigue. Eye strain from dry eye commonly causes headaches and mental fatigue. These related symptoms support the functional impact of your condition.

Common secondary conditions linked to dry eye

Dry eye can cause or contribute to other conditions that increase your combined rating:

• Migraines — Chronic eye strain and discomfort from dry eye can trigger or worsen migraines and tension headaches. The constant effort to maintain focus with a compromised ocular surface causes persistent eye fatigue that can escalate to headache disorders.
• Depression — Chronic pain and discomfort from dry eye, combined with the limitations it places on daily activities, are associated with depression. The frustration of a condition that is invisible to others but constant in your experience takes a psychological toll.
• Corneal conditions — Chronic dry eye can lead to corneal erosions, ulcers, and scarring, which may be rated separately if they cause additional visual impairment beyond the dry eye itself.
• Light sensitivity (photophobia) — Dry eye often increases sensitivity to light, which can be a separately rated symptom depending on its severity and impact.

How to calculate your monthly payment

Your total VA disability payment depends on your combined rating across all service-connected conditions. If dry eye is combined with other conditions such as TBI, migraines, or depression, your overall combined rating reflects all conditions together.

Use our VA disability calculator to:

• Calculate your combined rating with multiple conditions
• Understand how VA math combines ratings (10% + 10% does not equal 20%)
• Estimate your monthly payment including dependents

For the full breakdown of payment amounts at every rating level, see our 2026 VA disability pay rates page.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. For personalized guidance on your VA disability claim, consult a VA-accredited Veterans Service Organization (VSO), attorney, or claims agent. You can find accredited representatives at VA.gov.