§ 4.79 Schedule of ratings—eye.

Pterygium (eye web growth)

A wedge-shaped growth of tissue that extends from the white of the eye onto the cornea.

What the rating means

Pterygium is rated under diagnostic code 6034. Because a pterygium can affect the eye in more than one way, VA does not use a single fixed formula. Instead, VA evaluates the specific findings your pterygium produces — such as visual impairment, disfigurement, or conjunctivitis — under the appropriate diagnostic codes, then combines those separate ratings under § 4.25.

For any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes the pterygium causes, VA applies the General Rating Formula for Diseases of the Eye. That formula compares two paths and uses whichever produces the higher rating. The first path is based on how much the condition reduces your vision. The second path is based on incapacitating episodes — flare-ups severe enough that you needed a clinic visit specifically for treatment — counted over the past 12 months. Seven or more such visits supports a 60% rating; at least 5 but fewer than 7 supports 40%; at least 3 but fewer than 5 supports 20%; and at least 1 but fewer than 3 supports 10%.

Evidence that helps

Because your rating can come from more than one path, the records that help most are those that directly document each finding VA will evaluate.

For the incapacitating-episode path, treatment records showing clinic visits made specifically to treat your pterygium are central. The records should show the date of each visit and confirm it was for treatment — such as surgical intervention, laser treatment, injections, or systemic medications — not just a routine check. A count of qualifying visits within any 12-month period ties directly to the percentages above.

For the visual-impairment path, eye exam records showing measured visual acuity or field-of-vision loss attributable to the pterygium are what matter. If your pterygium has caused visible disfigurement or chronic conjunctivitis, records and exam findings documenting those specific conditions support evaluation under those additional diagnostic codes. Statements from you describing how your symptoms — blurred vision, eye irritation, or frequent treatment visits — affect your work and daily activities can help connect the clinical findings to their real impact.

Secondary conditions

Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.

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What the rating means

Evidence that helps

Secondary conditions

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