FL0910E1Eyedisabilityratings.doc-VFWDepartmentof.docVIP

Enclosure 1 Changes in the Eye Rating Schedule We reorganized the material in former sections 4.75 through 4.84a of 38 CFR that contained instructions for rating those disabilities that constitute visual impairment of the eye: visual acuity, visual field, and muscle function. We reorganized these topics under four sections: General considerations for evaluating visual impairment (4.75); Visual acuity (4.76); Visual fields (4.77); and Muscle function (4.78). Section 4.75 states that a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist must conduct the examination, that the examiner must identify the disease, injury, or other pathologic process responsible for any visual impairment found, that examinations for the evaluation of visual fields or muscle function will be conducted only when there is a medical indication of disease or injury that may be associated with visual field defect or impaired muscle function, and that the fundus must be examined with the veterans pupils dilated (unless medically contraindicated). These clarify general eye examination requirements. Since the method of evaluation when visual impairment of only one eye is service-connected was not specifically addressed in former regulations, we have specified in §?4.75 that when visual impairment of only one eye is service-connected, either directly or by aggravation, the visual acuity of the non-service-connected eye shall be considered to be 20/40, subject to the provisions of 38 CFR 3.383(a). This provision is consistent with current practice and with VAOPGCPREC 32-97, in which the General Counsel, in interpreting regulations for evaluating hearing loss, noted that the statutory scheme governing VA benefits generally authorizes compensation for service-connected disabilities only (see 38 U.S.C. 101(13), 1110, and 1131) and does not permit combination of ratings for service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities for compensation purposes. In conjunction with this provision, and for the same