Education · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Lungs, nose, and throat (respiratory system) · not your rating · we do not file
Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive VA rating (DC 6721)
VA rates tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive under diagnostic code 6721 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The rule book lists 0%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 100%. Below: each level in plain English, then the exact words.
Rule-book name: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive. 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%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
- 50%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
- 30%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
- 30%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
- 20%: The published words look at: shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting with activity.
- 0%: Read the exact words below. We have not mapped this line to plain words, so we quote it rather than guess.
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% · “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”
50% · “Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity”
30% · “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”
20% · “Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc”
0% · “Otherwise”
Notes printed with this code
“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.”
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:
- Shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting with activity: usually found in treatment notes or the VA claim exam (C&P exam) report that describe it, when those 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)
Put your records next to these lines
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Common questions
What percentages does the VA rating schedule list for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive (DC 6721)?
38 CFR § 4.97 lists 0%, 20%, 30%, 50%, and 100% for diagnostic code 6721. 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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