38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97
Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive — VA Diagnostic Code 6732
Respiratory
Diagnostic code
6732
38 CFR § 4.97 lists Diagnostic Code 6732 as “Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive:”. The only instruction is “Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89, whichever is appropriate.” The code prints no percentage. Appendix B and Appendix C index “Pleurisy, active or inactive” and do not print “tuberculous.”
Reviewed 2026-10-05. Text checked against the eCFR versioner full-text XML for 2026-10-01 on 2026-10-05. Title 38 was up to date as of 2026-10-01 and last amended on 2026-08-27. The § 4.97 source note prints 61 FR 46728, Sept. 5, 1996, as amended at 71 FR 28586, May 17, 2006. The § 4.31 source note prints 58 FR 52018, Oct. 6, 1993. The § 4.88c source note prints 34 FR 5062, Mar. 11, 1969. Redesignated at 59 FR 60902, Nov. 29, 1994. The § 4.89 source note prints 29 FR 6718, May 22, 1964, as amended at 34 FR 5062, Mar. 11, 1969; 43 FR 45361, Oct. 2, 1978.
The rating criteria at each level
6732 Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89, whichever is appropriate.
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| — | Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89, whichever is appropriate. |
§ 4.88c Ratings for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis initially entitled after August 19, 1968
Rating %: 100
Criteria (verbatim). For 1 year after date of inactivity, following active tuberculosis
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Thereafter: Rate residuals under the specific body system or systems affected.
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| 100 | For 1 year after date of inactivity, following active tuberculosis |
| — | Thereafter: Rate residuals under the specific body system or systems affected. |
§ 4.89 Ratings for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis in effect on August 19, 1968
Rating %: 100
Criteria (verbatim). For 2 years after date of inactivity, following active tuberculosis, which was clinically identified during service or subsequently
Rating %: 50
Criteria (verbatim). Thereafter, for 4 years, or in any event, to 6 years after date of inactivity
Rating %: 30
Criteria (verbatim). Thereafter, for 5 years, or to 11 years after date of inactivity
Rating %: 0
Criteria (verbatim). Thereafter, in the absence of a schedular compensable permanent residual
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| 100 | For 2 years after date of inactivity, following active tuberculosis, which was clinically identified during service or subsequently |
| 50 | Thereafter, for 4 years, or in any event, to 6 years after date of inactivity |
| 30 | Thereafter, for 5 years, or to 11 years after date of inactivity |
| 0 | Thereafter, in the absence of a schedular compensable permanent residual |
The schedule body inserts “tuberculous.” Appendix B, under “Ratings for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Initially Evaluated After August 19, 1968,” prints “6732 Pleurisy, active or inactive.” Appendix C prints the same shorter name. Appendix A prints “6732 Criterion March 11, 1969.”
Both § 4.88c and § 4.89 use the word “nonpulmonary” in the section title. The § 4.97 heading above DC 6730, DC 6731, and DC 6732 is “Ratings for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Initially Evaluated After August 19, 1968.” The verbs are “Evaluated,” “entitled,” and “in effect.” This page does not collapse them.
Section 4.88c’s example says “hip joint,” two words. Section 4.89’s example says “hipjoint,” one word. Both examples use diagnostic codes 5001-5250.
DC 6732 says “whichever is appropriate.” It does not print a rule that chooses § 4.88c or § 4.89 for the reader. § 4.88c is the inactive nonpulmonary scale for entitlement after August 19, 1968: 100 percent for 1 year after the date of inactivity, then residuals. § 4.89 keeps the former graduated ratings where the protective provisions of Public Law 90-493 apply, for inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis in effect on August 19, 1968. Those graduated lines are 100, 50, 30, and 0. Section 4.89 also says the ratings are applicable only to veterans with nonpulmonary tuberculosis active on or after October 10, 1949. 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.
The same “Rate under §§ 4.88c or 4.89” sentence is printed under DC 6515, “Laryngitis, tuberculous, active or inactive.” That title ends with a period. DC 6732’s title ends with a colon. DC 6730 is “Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active,” at 100. DC 6731 is “Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive,” and points at interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). DC 6732 does not use that sentence.
A different note, Note (1) under the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease, says a 100-percent rating shall be assigned for pleurisy with empyema, with or without pleurocutaneous fistula, until resolved. That note is not printed on DC 6732. DC 6845 is “Chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis.” Its title does not say tuberculous pleurisy.
Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6732, and §§ 4.88c and 4.89, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.
What the words mean in your records
The schedule adds “tuberculous”
Section 4.97 says “Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive.” Appendix B and Appendix C say “Pleurisy, active or inactive.” The catalog slug follows the shorter index name.
Two nonpulmonary sections
The cross-reference names § 4.88c and § 4.89. Both titles say nonpulmonary tuberculosis. The heading in § 4.97 says pulmonary tuberculosis initially evaluated after August 19, 1968.
Not pleurisy with empyema
The restrictive-lung Note (1) uses “pleurisy with empyema.” DC 6732 uses “Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive” and points at §§ 4.88c and 4.89.
Evidence that speaks to each level
The DC 6732 instruction
What the rater needs to see. The diagnosis the schedule names, and which of the two cited sections the decision treats as appropriate.
Where that usually lives. The tuberculosis examination and the rating that cites § 4.88c or § 4.89.
§ 4.88c — 100 for 1 year, then residuals
What the rater needs to see. Inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis initially entitled after August 19, 1968: 100 percent for 1 year after the date of inactivity, then residuals under the body system affected.
Where that usually lives. The date of inactivity and the residual findings.
§ 4.89 — 100, 50, 30, and 0
What the rater needs to see. The graduated lines, where that section is the one applied: 2 years at 100, then to 6 years at 50, then to 11 years at 30, then 0 in the absence of a schedular compensable permanent residual.
Where that usually lives. The same inactivity date, and whether the protective provisions of Public Law 90-493 are the ones the decision discusses.
VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Tuberculosis” under Infectious Diseases, and a separate “Respiratory Conditions (other than tuberculosis and sleep apnea)” under Respiratory. The files are Tuberculosis and Respiratory Conditions (other than tuberculosis and sleep apnea).
The exam form
DC 6732 prints no percentage. Sections 4.88c and 4.89 are the scales it names. This page does not say a form replaces that cross-reference.
Related codes and how they interact
Pulmonary tuberculosis codes sit just above this line.
DC 6730 is active chronic pulmonary tuberculosis at 100. DC 6731 rates inactive chronic pulmonary tuberculosis by the residual lung formula it names. DC 6515 uses the same §§ 4.88c or 4.89 sentence for tuberculous laryngitis.
Secondary conditions and presumptions
The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309(a) lists “Tuberculosis, active.” That row has no diagnostic code. It does not say “pleurisy.” This page does not assign DC 6732 to that family row.
A separate question, when a presumption does not decide it, is a medical question on the facts under 38 CFR § 3.310. Paragraph (a) covers disability proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury. Paragraph (b) covers increase in severity and requires a medical baseline.
Short answers
What is the VA rating for tuberculous pleurisy?
Under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6732 says to rate pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive, under § 4.88c or § 4.89, whichever is appropriate. Those sections are the inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis scales. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.
Do both cited sections say nonpulmonary?
Yes. Section 4.88c is inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis initially entitled after August 19, 1968. Section 4.89 is inactive nonpulmonary tuberculosis in effect on August 19, 1968. The heading in § 4.97 above this code says pulmonary tuberculosis initially evaluated after that date.
FAQ
What percentage does DC 6732 print?
None. It says to rate under § 4.88c or § 4.89, whichever is appropriate. Section 4.88c prints 100 percent for 1 year after inactivity, then residuals. Section 4.89 prints 100, 50, 30, and 0 on the graduated schedule. Education only.
Why do the indexes omit “tuberculous”?
Appendix B and Appendix C print “Pleurisy, active or inactive.” Section 4.97 prints “Pleurisy, tuberculous, active or inactive.” Appendix A’s history line is “6732 Criterion March 11, 1969.”
Is this the 100 percent note for pleurisy with empyema?
No. That note is under the restrictive-lung formula and uses “pleurisy with empyema.” DC 6732 points at §§ 4.88c and 4.89.
Next steps
- Read the decision for DC 6732 and whether it cited § 4.88c or § 4.89.
- The free worksheet is a place to write the code, the findings, and the records you already have. It does not file a claim or protect a filing date. An accredited representative is at find a VSO.
- Other respiratory codes are on the respiratory diagnostic-code index. The category page is respiratory conditions.
Education only. Not legal or medical advice. My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative and does not file claims. VA decides every claim on its own evidence.
Other codes in this body system
Nearby catalog entries in Respiratory, ordered by diagnostic code number. All Respiratory codes
- DC 6703Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, minimal, active
- DC 6704Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, active, advancement unspecified
- DC 6721Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, far advanced, inactive
- DC 6722Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, moderately advanced, inactive
- DC 6723Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, minimal, inactive
- DC 6724Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, inactive, advancement unspecified
- DC 6730Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, active
- DC 6731Pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic, inactive
- DC 6817Pulmonary Vascular Disease
- DC 6819Neoplasms, malignant
- DC 6820Neoplasms, benign
- DC 6822Actinomycosis
- DC 6823Nocardiosis
- DC 6824Chronic lung abscess
- DC 6825Fibrosis of lung, diffuse interstitial
- DC 6826Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6732 • va.gov
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This page provides general educational information based on public VA regulations and VA.gov resources. It is not legal or medical advice, and My Claim Packet is not a VA-accredited representative. Any worksheets or draft documents produced by the tools must be reviewed for accuracy and are not filed with VA for you. Ratings and service connection are decided case-by-case from the individual record. Consult a VA-accredited VSO, claims agent, attorney, or qualified clinician for help with your situation, and verify current rules using the linked official source.