- Diagnostic Code
- 6602
- CFR Section
- §4.97 — Respiratory
Rating Tiers
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
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
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
FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy
Rated Under Formula
This condition is rated using the §4.97 general rating formula.
What Raters Look For
Based on M21-1 adjudication criteria for Respiratory conditions. These are the factors a VA rater evaluates when assigning a rating percentage.
M21-1 III.iv.4.B- •Pulmonary function test results: FEV1 (% of predicted), FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, and DLCO
- •Exercise tolerance in METs (metabolic equivalents) if cardiac limitation is also relevant
- •Frequency of exacerbations requiring medical visits, oral steroids, or hospitalization
- •Oxygen therapy use — whether prescribed and under what conditions
- •Sleep study results and AHI score if sleep apnea is claimed
- •Medication regimen: inhalers, systemic steroids, biologics
- •Smoking history (noted but not used to reduce rating)