Education · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Lungs, nose, and throat (respiratory system) · not your rating · we do not file
Asthma VA rating (DC 6602)
VA rates asthma under diagnostic code 6602 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The rule book lists 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Asthma, bronchial. Last checked against eCFR on 2026-10-10 (eCFR issue 2026-08-27). Official text: 38 CFR § 4.97 on eCFR.
Each rating level in plain English
- 100%: The published words look at: serious breathing failure, heart strain from breathing, or a breathing tube, shown in medical records; breathing test results (pulmonary function tests); medicine you take for it; and how often it happens.
- 60%: The published words look at: breathing test results (pulmonary function tests); medicine you take for it; and how often it happens.
- 30%: The published words look at: breathing test results (pulmonary function tests); breathing attacks and the inhalers or other medicine you use; and medicine you take for it.
- 10%: The published words look at: breathing test results (pulmonary function tests); and breathing attacks and the inhalers or other medicine you use.
Plain words come from our reading aid for the published words. They never add a symptom. The quotes below are the rule.
Exact words in 38 CFR § 4.97
100% · “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”
60% · “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”
30% · “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”
10% · “FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy”
Notes printed with this code
“Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.”
What records usually show this
VA reads these things from your records: service treatment records, VA and private treatment records, and the VA claim exam (C&P exam). The published words on this page talk about:
- Serious breathing failure, heart strain from breathing, or a breathing tube, shown in medical records: usually found in a test or exam result in your records. The rule book reads this number from the test, not from a statement.
- Breathing test results (pulmonary function tests): usually found in a test or exam result in your records. The rule book reads this number from the test, not from a statement.
- Medicine you take for it: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- How often it happens: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those exist.
- Breathing attacks and the inhalers or other medicine you use: usually found in treatment notes, prescriptions, or a log you kept that show how often, when those records exist.
Education only. This does not say you have any of these, and a record that mentions them does not decide a rating. Only write what is true for you. Evidence needed for your disability claim · VA claim exam (C&P exam)
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Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Asthma (DC 6602)?
38 CFR § 4.97 lists 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100% for diagnostic code 6602. VA decides which line fits from the evidence. This page is not your rating.
Where do these words come from?
They are quoted from the public eCFR copy of 38 CFR § 4.97, last checked 2026-10-10. The official page is linked on this page so you can check every word.
Does this page tell me what my rating will be?
No. It shows what the published rule book says. It does not predict a rating, a decision, or a dollar amount, and it does not say you have this condition.
Who can file a VA claim for me for free?
Accredited Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) can prepare and file a claim with you at no cost. VA lists accredited representatives on VA.gov. We do not file.
This page quotes the public VA rule book. It is not your rating and not your pay. We do not say you have this condition. We do not file. You, or a free accredited representative, file with VA.
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