Bronchiectasis — VA Diagnostic Code 6601

Incapacitating episode, and the word bedrest

The note says an incapacitating episode is one that requires bedrest and treatment by a physician. The schedule prints “bedrest” as one word. The 100, 60, and 30 percent lines count weeks of those episodes per year. The 10 percent line does not use the words “incapacitating episode.”

The 60 percent “or;”

The 60 percent cell is one sentence joined by “or;”. One side is incapacitating episodes of four to six weeks total duration per year. The other side is near constant findings of cough with purulent sputum associated with anorexia, weight loss, and frank hemoptysis and requiring antibiotic usage almost continuously. “Almost continuously” is on that 60 percent side. It is not a separate 100 percent line.

Or rate as chronic bronchitis

The last line is not a percentage. It says to rate according to pulmonary impairment as for chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). This page does not restate the DC 6600 spirometry lines. 38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided. Section 4.96(a) already says those respiratory codes are not combined with each other.

When two evaluations are close

38 CFR § 4.7 assigns the higher rating when the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating. Otherwise, the lower rating will be assigned. 38 CFR § 4.6 requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

Chronic bronchitis is the “or rate” code, not a second percentage

What is the VA rating for DC 6601?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, bronchiectasis is rated 100, 60, 30, or 10 percent on the infection-episode and cough lines, or according to pulmonary impairment as for chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). The code does not print a 0 percent line. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Does the one-year chronic-disease rule apply to bronchiectasis?

Section 3.309(a) lists bronchiectasis. Section 3.307(a)(3) requires the disease to become manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year from separation, and it does not give bronchiectasis the 3-year or 7-year periods named in that sentence.

How does VA rate bronchiectasis under DC 6601?

Incapacitating episodes of infection of at least six weeks total duration per year are 100 percent. Four to six weeks, or the near-constant cough findings with antibiotic usage almost continuously, are 60 percent. Two to four weeks, or daily productive cough with prolonged antibiotics more than twice a year, are 30 percent. Intermittent productive cough with a course of antibiotics at least twice a year is 10 percent. The schedule also says to rate pulmonary impairment as chronic bronchitis under DC 6600. An incapacitating episode requires bedrest and treatment by a physician. Education only.

Is bronchiectasis a chronic disease under § 3.309(a)?

Yes. Section 3.309(a) lists bronchiectasis. Section 3.307(a)(3) requires manifestation to a degree of 10 percent or more within 1 year from the date of separation, unless the disease is Hansen's disease, tuberculosis, or multiple sclerosis. Bronchiectasis is not one of those three.

Is bronchiectasis on the burn-pit list in § 3.320 or § 1120?

Section 3.320 does not name bronchiectasis. The enumerated list in 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b), read on October 5, 2026, does not use that word. Section 3.309(e) does not name it. Section 3.316 names a chronic form of bronchitis, not bronchiectasis.