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Do You Qualify for VA Vision Care? Eye Exams, Glasses, and Disability Ratings
Visually impaired veterans may be eligible for the VA’s vision health benefits. VA’s vision care ranges from primary care eye services to intermediate and advanced vision care, which includes clinical examinations, vision-enhancing devices, and specialized training in vision technology. The VA also offers inpatient rehabilitation for veterans who are blind.
Here’s the part that confuses a lot of veterans: getting your eyes checked and getting free glasses are two separate questions. Almost every veteran enrolled in VA health care can get eye exams. Free eyeglasses come with their own eligibility rules, and your VA disability rating often decides which side of that line you’re on.
First Step to Vision Care: Enroll in VA Health Care
VA vision care is part of VA health care, so you need to be enrolled before you can use it. You can apply online at VA.gov, by phone at 877-222-8387, by mailing VA Form 10-10EZ, or in person at a VA medical center. If you already get VA health care, you’re set.
Routine Eye Examinations
If you have VA healthcare benefits, the VA will cover routine eye examinations and preventative vision testing. To schedule an eye examination, veterans can talk to their VA primary care providers or contact their nearest VA medical center. If you are blind or a low vision veteran, you may be able to get more advanced vision care and rehabilitation services.
Beyond routine exams, enrolled veterans can get treatment for eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, plus referrals to specialists when needed. Depending on your priority group and whether the care is for a service-connected condition, you may owe a copay for specialty visits. If the nearest VA eye clinic is too far away or the wait is too long, you may also qualify for care from a community provider through VA’s community care program.
VA Vision Care and the Cost of Eyeglasses
VA vision care will cover the cost of eyeglasses if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below:
- You have any compensable service-connected condition; or
- You are a former prisoner of war; or
- You were awarded a purple heart; or
- You receive benefits under Title 38 USC 1151; or
- You receive an increased pension based on being permanently housebound and in need of regular aid and attendance
“Compensable” means you’re actually being paid for the condition, which in practice means a rating of 10% or higher. A 0% rating confirms the condition is service-connected, but it doesn’t meet this requirement on its own. That’s one reason it can be worth pushing for an increase if you believe your condition has gotten worse.
If you do not fall under the above-mentioned criteria, you may still be eligible for free eyeglasses if you have at least one of the following issues:
- Vision problems caused by an illness or the treatment of an illness for which you are receiving VA care
- Vision problems caused by an injury or the treatment of an injury for which you are receiving VA care
- Functional impairment or cognitive impairment that’s severe enough to make it hard for you to do everyday tasks
- Vision and/or hearing loss that’s severe enough to interfere with your ability to take an active role in your own healthcare and eyeglasses would help to reduce the impact of your impairment.
VA provides glasses for function, not fashion, and it generally covers contact lenses only when they’re medically necessary, not as a convenience. You’ll also need a VA eye exam to get the prescription.
Help for Veterans Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
You don’t need a service-connected eye condition to use VA’s blind and low vision services.
If you’re enrolled in VA health care and your vision loss makes daily life harder, you may qualify for:
- A Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) coordinator, who acts as your case manager and connects you with services
- Low vision exams and devices, such as magnifiers, electronic readers and talking devices
- Training to help you get around safely, use adaptive technology and handle everyday tasks
- Residential programs at VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers for more intensive training
Ask your VA primary care provider or eye doctor for a referral, or contact the VIST coordinator at your nearest VA medical center. VA’s blind and low vision rehabilitation page has more details.
VA Disability Benefits for Vision Conditions
Eye conditions that qualify for VA disability benefits include loss of vision, loss of light perception, conjunctivitis-related conditions, cataracts, and more. An eye condition is eligible for VA disability compensation if they cause permanent or chronic damage. Acute injuries to the eyes that are resolved are not normally eligible.
Here’s what VA disability compensation can cover for your eyes, and it’s a separate benefit from VA vision care. Vision care pays for your exams and treatment. Disability compensation pays you every month for how your eye condition limits you.
How VA Rates Eye Conditions
VA generally rates eye conditions in one of three ways, and uses whichever gives you the higher rating:
- Visual acuity: how clearly you see with your best correction, such as glasses, in each eye
- Visual field: how much of your peripheral vision you’ve lost
- Incapacitating episodes: for eye diseases, how many weeks a year your condition requires a doctor’s treatment
Ratings range from 0% up to 100% for total blindness in both eyes. Because the rating is based on your corrected vision, needing glasses alone usually won’t lead to a rating. It’s the vision loss that remains even with glasses that counts.
Common Service-Connected Eye Conditions
Some eye problems come directly from service, like eye injuries from blasts, debris, or chemical exposure. But many are secondary, meaning they’re caused by another service-connected condition. A few we see often:
- Vision problems after a TBI, such as blurred vision, light sensitivity or trouble focusing
- Diabetic retinopathy secondary to service-connected diabetes, including diabetes presumed to be caused by Agent Orange exposure
- Cataracts or glaucoma linked to long-term steroid use for another service-connected condition
- Dry eye connected to burn pit or other environmental exposures, or to medications
For any secondary condition, you’ll need a medical opinion explaining that it’s at least as likely as not caused or worsened by your service-connected condition.
Blindness, SMC and the Paired Organ Rule
Severe vision loss can qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) on top of your regular rating. For example, blindness in one eye with only light perception typically qualifies for SMC-K, and higher levels of SMC are available for blindness in both eyes.
There’s also a rule many veterans have never heard of. If you’re blind in one eye from a service-connected condition and later lose vision in the other eye for a reason unrelated to service, the VA can rate you as if both eyes were service-connected. It’s called the paired organ rule, and it can make a big difference in your rating.
Veterans Help Group has been supporting veterans in getting the benefits they deserve since 1995. If you or a loved one served and suffers from vision or eye problems, we are here to help. Call Veterans Help Group at 855-855-8992 or complete our free veterans benefits case evaluation form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the VA pay for eye exams?
Yes. If you’re enrolled in VA health care, routine eye exams and preventive vision testing are covered. Depending on your priority group, you may owe a copay for some visits.
Does a 0% VA rating qualify me for free glasses?
Not by itself. The rule requires a compensable rating, which means 10% or higher. You may still qualify another way, such as being a former POW, a Purple Heart recipient, or having vision problems caused by a condition VA is treating.
Does the VA cover contact lenses?
Generally only when they’re medically necessary, for example when glasses can’t correct your vision properly. Contacts chosen for convenience or appearance usually aren’t covered.
Can I get VA disability for vision problems after a TBI?
Yes. Vision problems caused by a service-connected TBI can be rated, either as part of your TBI rating or as a separate eye condition, depending on your symptoms. A medical opinion linking the two helps.
Do I need a service-connected eye condition to get help for low vision?
No. VA’s blind and low vision rehabilitation services are open to enrolled veterans whose vision loss affects daily life, whether or not it’s connected to service.
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