38 CFR 4.97 - Schedule of ratings—respiratory system.

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§ 4.97 - Schedule of ratings—respiratory system.

	Rating	DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT		6502 Septum, nasal, deviation of:		Traumatic only,		With 50-percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side	10	6504 Nose, loss of part of, or scars:		Exposing both nasal passages	30	Loss of part of one ala, or other obvious disfigurement	10	Note: Or evaluate as DC 7800, scars, disfiguring, head, face, or neck.		6510 Sinusitis, pansinusitis, chronic.		6511 Sinusitis, ethmoid, chronic.		6512 Sinusitis, frontal, chronic.		6513 Sinusitis, maxillary, chronic.		6514 Sinusitis, sphenoid, chronic.		General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514):		Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries	50	Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting	30	One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting	10	Detected by X-ray only	0	Note: An incapacitating episode of sinusitis means one that requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.		6515 Laryngitis, tuberculous, active or inactive.		Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89, whichever is appropriate.		6516 Laryngitis, chronic:		Hoarseness, with thickening or nodules of cords, polyps, submucous infiltration, or pre-malignant changes on biopsy	30	Hoarseness, with inflammation of cords or mucous membrane	10	6518 Laryngectomy, total.	1 100	Rate the residuals of partial laryngectomy as laryngitis (DC 6516), aphonia (DC 6519), or stenosis of larynx (DC 6520).		6519 Aphonia, complete organic:		Constant inability to communicate by speech	1 100	Constant inability to speak above a whisper	60	Note: Evaluate incomplete aphonia as laryngitis, chronic (DC 6516).		6520 Larynx, stenosis of, including residuals of laryngeal trauma (unilateral or bilateral):		Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV-1) less than 40 percent of predicted value, with Flow-Volume Loop compatible with upper airway obstruction, or; permanent tracheostomy	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, with Flow-Volume Loop compatible with upper airway obstruction	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, with Flow-Volume Loop compatible with upper airway obstruction	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, with Flow-Volume Loop compatible with upper airway obstruction	10	Note: Or evaluate as aphonia (DC 6519).		6521 Pharynx, injuries to:		Stricture or obstruction of pharynx or nasopharynx, or; absence of soft palate secondary to trauma, chemical burn, or granulomatous disease, or; paralysis of soft palate with swallowing difficulty (nasal regurgitation) and speech impairment	50	6522 Allergic or vasomotor rhinitis:		With polyps	30	Without polyps, but with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side	10	6523 Bacterial rhinitis:		Rhinoscleroma	50	With permanent hypertrophy of turbinates and with greater than 50-percent obstruction of nasal passage on both sides or complete obstruction on one side	10	6524 Granulomatous rhinitis:		Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma	100	Other types of granulomatous infection	20	DISEASES OF THE TRACHEA AND BRONCHI		6600 Bronchitis, chronic:		FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption (with cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted	10	6601 Bronchiectasis:		With incapacitating episodes of infection of at least six weeks total duration per year	100	With incapacitating episodes of infection of four to six weeks total duration per year, or; near constant findings of cough with purulent sputum associated with anorexia, weight loss, and frank hemoptysis and requiring antibiotic usage almost continuously	60	With incapacitating episodes of infection of two to four weeks total duration per year, or; daily productive cough with sputum that is at times purulent or blood-tinged and that requires prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic usage more than twice a year	30	Intermittent productive cough with acute infection requiring a course of antibiotics at least twice a year	10	Or rate according to pulmonary impairment as for chronic bronchitis (DC 6600).		Note: An incapacitating episode is one that requires bedrest and treatment by a physician.		6602 Asthma, bronchial:		FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy	10	Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.		6603 Emphysema, pulmonary:		FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption (with cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy.	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted	10	6604 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:		FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption (with cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy.	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted	10	DISEASES OF THE LUNGS AND PLEURA—TUBERCULOSIS		Ratings for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Entitled on August 19, 1968		6701 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, active	100	6702 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, moderately advanced, active	100	6703 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, active	100	6704 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active, advancement unspecified	100	6721 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive		6722 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, moderately advanced, inactive		6723 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, inactive		6724 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive, advancement unspecified		General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis: For two years after date of inactivity, following active tuberculosis, which was clinically identified during service or subsequently	100	Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity	50	Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity	30	Following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease process was active, minimum	30	Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc	20	Otherwise	0	Note (1): The 100-percent rating under codes 6701 through 6724 is not subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment. It will be reduced to 50 percent for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment upon report to that effect from the medical authorities. When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities will be appropriately notified of the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.		Note (2): The graduated 50-percent and 30-percent ratings and the permanent 30 percent and 20 percent ratings for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are not to be combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities. Following thoracoplasty the rating will be for removal of ribs combined with the rating for collapsed lung. Resection of the ribs incident to thoracoplasty will be rated as removal.		Ratings for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Initially Evaluated After August 19, 1968		6730 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active	100	Note: Active pulmonary tuberculosis will be considered permanently and totally disabling for non-service-connected pension purposes in the following circumstances:		(a) Associated with active tuberculosis involving other than the respiratory system.		(b) With severe associated symptoms or with extensive cavity formation.		(c) Reactivated cases, generally.		(d) With advancement of lesions on successive examinations or while under treatment.		(e) Without retrogression of lesions or other evidence of material improvement at the end of six months hospitalization or without change of diagnosis from “active” at the end of 12 months hospitalization. Material improvement means lessening or absence of clinical symptoms, and X-ray findings of a stationary or retrogressive lesion.		6731 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive:		Depending on the specific findings, rate residuals as interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or, when obstructive lung disease is the major residual, as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). Rate thoracoplasty as removal of ribs under DC 5297.		Note: A mandatory examination will be requested immediately following notification that active tuberculosis evaluated under DC 6730 has become inactive. Any change in evaluation will be carried out under the provisions of § 3.105(e).		6732 Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive:		Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89, whichever is appropriate.		NONTUBERCULOUS DISEASES		6817 Pulmonary Vascular Disease:		Primary pulmonary hypertension, or; chronic pulmonary thromboembolism with evidence of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or cor pulmonale, or; pulmonary hypertension secondary to other obstructive disease of pulmonary arteries or veins with evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy or cor pulmonale	100	Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism requiring anticoagulant therapy, or; following inferior vena cava surgery without evidence of pulmonary hypertension or right ventricular dysfunction	60	Symptomatic, following resolution of acute pulmonary embolism	30	Asymptomatic, following resolution of pulmonary thromboembolism	0	Note: Evaluate other residuals following pulmonary embolism under the most appropriate diagnostic code, such as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) or chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis (DC 6844), but do not combine that evaluation with any of the above evaluations.		6819 Neoplasms, malignant, any specified part of respiratory system exclusive of skin growths	100	Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.		6820 Neoplasms, benign, any specified part of respiratory system. Evaluate using an appropriate respiratory analogy.		Bacterial Infections of the Lung		6822 Actinomycosis.		6823 Nocardiosis.		6824 Chronic lung abscess.		General Rating Formula for Bacterial Infections of the Lung (diagnostic codes 6822 through 6824):		Active infection with systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, or hemoptysis	100	Depending on the specific findings, rate residuals as interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or, when obstructive lung disease is the major residual, as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600).		Interstitial Lung Disease		6825 Diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis).		6826 Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis.		6827 Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.		6828 Eosinophilic granuloma of lung.		6829 Drug-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis.		6830 Radiation-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis.		6831 Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (extrinsic allergic alveolitis).		6832 Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.).		6833 Asbestosis.		General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833):		Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy	100	FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation	60	FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted	30	FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted	10	Mycotic Lung Disease		6834 Histoplasmosis of lung.		6835 Coccidioidomycosis.		6836 Blastomycosis.		6837 Cryptococcosis.		6838 Aspergillosis.		6839 Mucormycosis.		General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839):		Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis	100	Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough	50	Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough	30	Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic	0	Note: Coccidioidomycosis has an incubation period up to 21 days, and the disseminated phase is ordinarily manifest within six months of the primary phase. However, there are instances of dissemination delayed up to many years after the initial infection which may have been unrecognized. Accordingly, when service connection is under consideration in the absence of record or other evidence of the disease in service, service in southwestern United States where the disease is endemic and absence of prolonged residence in this locality before or after service will be the deciding factor.		Restrictive Lung Disease		6840 Diaphragm paralysis or paresis.		6841 Spinal cord injury with respiratory insufficiency.		6842 Kyphoscoliosis, pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum.		6843 Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc.		6844 Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.).		6845 Chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis.		General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845):		FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption (with cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy	100	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)	60	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted	30	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted	10	Or rate primary disorder.		Note (1): A 100-percent rating shall be assigned for pleurisy with empyema, with or without pleurocutaneous fistula, until resolved.		Note (2): Following episodes of total spontaneous pneumothorax, a rating of 100 percent shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission and shall continue for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge.		Note (3): Gunshot wounds of the pleural cavity with bullet or missile retained in lung, pain or discomfort on exertion, or with scattered rales or some limitation of excursion of diaphragm or of lower chest expansion shall be rated at least 20-percent disabling. Disabling injuries of shoulder girdle muscles (Groups I to IV) shall be separately rated and combined with ratings for respiratory involvement. Involvement of Muscle Group XXI (DC 5321), however, will not be separately rated.		6846 Sarcoidosis:		Cor pulmonale, or; cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure, or; progressive pulmonary disease with fever, night sweats, and weight loss despite treatment	100	Pulmonary involvement requiring systemic high dose (therapeutic) corticosteroids for control	60	Pulmonary involvement with persistent symptoms requiring chronic low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids	30	Chronic hilar adenopathy or stable lung infiltrates without symptoms or physiologic impairment	0	Or rate active disease or residuals as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) and extra-pulmonary involvement under specific body system involved		6847 Sleep Apnea Syndromes (Obstructive, Central, Mixed):		Chronic respiratory failure with carbon dioxide retention or cor pulmonale, or; requires tracheostomy	100	Requires use of breathing assistance device such as continuous airway pressure (CPAP) machine	50	Persistent day-time hypersomnolence	30	Asymptomatic but with documented sleep disorder breathing	0

1 Review for entitlement to special monthly compensation under § 3.350 of this chapter.

[61 FR 46728, Sept. 5, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 28586, May 17, 2006]