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38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97

Diffuse interstitial fibrosis — VA Diagnostic Code 6825

Respiratory

Diagnostic code

6825

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38 CFR § 4.97 places Diagnostic Code 6825 under the heading Interstitial Lung Disease. The code title is “Diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis).” It does not print its own percentages. Diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833 use the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease. The formula uses FVC and DLCO (SB), not the FEV-1 lines used for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. VA’s PACT Act page lists both “Interstitial lung disease (ILD)” and “Pulmonary fibrosis.” The schedule uses DC 6825 for the title above. Drug-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis is DC 6829. Radiation-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis is DC 6830. Asbestosis is DC 6833. Those codes share this formula and are not DC 6825.

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 versioner content versions for § 4.97 list a substantive amendment date of 2016-12-14. The § 4.96 source note prints 34 FR 5062, Mar. 11, 1969, as amended at 61 FR 46727, Sept. 5, 1996; 71 FR 52459, Sept. 6, 2006.

The rating criteria at each level

General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833)

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted

The formula caption names diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833.

DC 6825 does not print a 0 percent line.

The 100 percent line says “maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation,” without parentheses around that phrase, and it says “cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension.” It does not print right ventricular hypertrophy or acute respiratory failure as separate alternatives.

38 CFR § 4.31 (Zero percent evaluations) says: “In every instance where the schedule does not provide a zero percent evaluation for a diagnostic code, a zero percent evaluation shall be assigned when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.”

38 CFR § 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. Paragraph (d)(1) says pulmonary function tests (PFT's) are required to evaluate these conditions except: (i) when the results of a maximum exercise capacity test are of record and are 20 ml/kg/min or less (if a maximum exercise capacity test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria); (ii) when pulmonary hypertension (documented by an echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization), cor pulmonale, or right ventricular hypertrophy has been diagnosed; (iii) when there have been one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure; or (iv) when outpatient oxygen therapy is required. Paragraph (d)(2) says that if the DLCO (SB) test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria as long as the examiner states why the test would not be useful or valid in a particular case. Paragraph (d)(3) says that when the PFT's are not consistent with clinical findings, evaluate based on the PFT's unless the examiner states why they are not a valid indication of respiratory functional impairment in a particular case. Paragraph (d)(4) says post-bronchodilator studies are required when PFT's are done for disability evaluation purposes except when the results of pre-bronchodilator pulmonary function tests are normal or when the examiner determines that post-bronchodilator studies should not be done and states why. Paragraph (d)(5) says that when evaluating based on PFT's, use post-bronchodilator results unless the post-bronchodilator results were poorer than the pre-bronchodilator results, in which case use the pre-bronchodilator values. Paragraph (d)(6) says that when different PFT's would produce different evaluation levels, use the test result that the examiner states most accurately reflects the level of disability. Paragraph (d)(7) says: if the FEV-1 and the FVC are both greater than 100 percent, do not assign a compensable evaluation based on a decreased FEV-1/FVC ratio.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease and Diagnostic Code 6825, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

FVC and DLCO (SB)

This formula rates Forced Vital Capacity and Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method. It does not print an FEV-1 line. The bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD lines do.

Interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis

The schedule heading is “Interstitial Lung Disease,” and it covers codes 6825 through 6833. DC 6825’s own title is “Diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis).” 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b) lists “Interstitial lung disease” and “Pulmonary fibrosis” as separate diseases. VA’s PACT Act page lists both “Interstitial lung disease (ILD)” and “Pulmonary fibrosis.” The public research list on this site points both names at DC 6825. The schedule also names drug-induced disease (DC 6829), radiation-induced disease (DC 6830), and asbestosis (DC 6833) under the same formula.

Post-bronchodilator results

38 CFR § 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. Paragraph (d)(1) says pulmonary function tests (PFT's) are required to evaluate these conditions except: (i) when the results of a maximum exercise capacity test are of record and are 20 ml/kg/min or less (if a maximum exercise capacity test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria); (ii) when pulmonary hypertension (documented by an echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization), cor pulmonale, or right ventricular hypertrophy has been diagnosed; (iii) when there have been one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure; or (iv) when outpatient oxygen therapy is required. Paragraph (d)(2) says that if the DLCO (SB) test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria as long as the examiner states why the test would not be useful or valid in a particular case. Paragraph (d)(3) says that when the PFT's are not consistent with clinical findings, evaluate based on the PFT's unless the examiner states why they are not a valid indication of respiratory functional impairment in a particular case. Paragraph (d)(4) says post-bronchodilator studies are required when PFT's are done for disability evaluation purposes except when the results of pre-bronchodilator pulmonary function tests are normal or when the examiner determines that post-bronchodilator studies should not be done and states why. Paragraph (d)(5) says that when evaluating based on PFT's, use post-bronchodilator results unless the post-bronchodilator results were poorer than the pre-bronchodilator results, in which case use the pre-bronchodilator values. Paragraph (d)(6) says that when different PFT's would produce different evaluation levels, use the test result that the examiner states most accurately reflects the level of disability. Paragraph (d)(7) says: if the FEV-1 and the FVC are both greater than 100 percent, do not assign a compensable evaluation based on a decreased FEV-1/FVC ratio.

When two lines are close

38 CFR § 4.7 (Higher of two evaluations) 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 (Evaluation of evidence) requires each element affecting the evidence to be studied so that decisions will be equitable and just.

Evidence that speaks to each level

100

What the rater needs to see. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function report for FVC or DLCO (SB), the exercise test, or notes of cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, or outpatient oxygen.

60

What the rater needs to see. FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function test report. Section 4.96(d)(5) says to use post-bronchodilator results unless those results were poorer than the pre-bronchodilator results.

30

What the rater needs to see. FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function test report. Section 4.96(d)(5) says to use post-bronchodilator results unless those results were poorer than the pre-bronchodilator results.

10

What the rater needs to see. FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function test report. Section 4.96(d)(5) says to use post-bronchodilator results unless those results were poorer than the pre-bronchodilator results.

VA’s public DBQ list, checked October 5, 2026, names “Respiratory Conditions (other than tuberculosis and sleep apnea)” under Respiratory. The file is Respiratory Conditions (other than tuberculosis and sleep apnea). Sleep apnea is a separate public form and a separate code, DC 6847.

The exam form

The public respiratory form records FVC, DLCO, exercise capacity, pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, and oxygen use. Section 4.96(d) names codes 6825-6833 among the codes that use those rules.

Related codes and how they interact

The other codes on this formula

DC 6829 is drug-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis. DC 6830 is radiation-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis. DC 6833 is asbestosis. The formula caption names diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833.

DC 6600, DC 6603, and DC 6604 use FEV-1 lines. They are not this formula.

38 CFR § 4.96(a) says ratings under diagnostic codes 6600 through 6817 and 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. A single rating will be assigned under the diagnostic code which reflects the predominant disability, with elevation to the next higher evaluation where the severity of the overall disability warrants such elevation. In cases protected by Pub. L. 90-493, the graduated ratings of 50 and 30 percent for inactive tuberculosis will not be elevated.

38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The herbicide-agent list in 38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name diffuse interstitial fibrosis. 38 CFR § 3.320(a)(2) lists asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis. Paragraph (a)(3) lists nine rare cancers of the larynx, trachea, or lung. Neither paragraph names diffuse interstitial fibrosis. 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b), read on the Legal Information Institute page on 2026-10-05, lists “Interstitial lung disease” among the diseases specified for the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to burn pits and other toxins. Subsection (a) says a disease specified in subsection (b), becoming manifest in a covered veteran, shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated during active service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during that service, for the purposes of section 1110 and subject to section 1113. Subsection (c) defines covered veteran by reference to section 1119(c). VA’s PACT Act page, read the same day, lists “Interstitial lung disease (ILD)” under “These illnesses are now presumptive” for Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veterans, and it prints the locations and dates for a presumption of exposure. This page does not restate that location list.

The herbicide-agent list in 38 CFR § 3.309(e) does not name pulmonary fibrosis. 38 CFR § 3.320(a)(2) lists asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, to include rhinosinusitis. Paragraph (a)(3) lists nine rare cancers of the larynx, trachea, or lung. Neither paragraph names pulmonary fibrosis. 38 U.S.C. § 1120(b), read on the Legal Information Institute page on 2026-10-05, lists “Pulmonary fibrosis” among the diseases specified for the presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to burn pits and other toxins. Subsection (a) says a disease specified in subsection (b), becoming manifest in a covered veteran, shall be considered to have been incurred in or aggravated during active service, notwithstanding that there is no record of evidence of such disease during that service, for the purposes of section 1110 and subject to section 1113. Subsection (c) defines covered veteran by reference to section 1119(c). VA’s PACT Act page, read the same day, lists “Pulmonary fibrosis” under “These illnesses are now presumptive” for Gulf War era and post-9/11 Veterans, and it prints the locations and dates for a presumption of exposure. This page does not restate that location list.

Section 3.309(a), the chronic-disease list, does not name diffuse interstitial fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis. Sarcoidosis is on that chronic-disease list. It is DC 6846, not DC 6825.

A secondary question that those sections do not decide 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 interstitial lung disease under DC 6825?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, codes 6825 through 6833 use the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease: 100, 60, 30, and 10. DC 6825 is diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis). Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Why does this formula not use FEV-1?

The printed formula uses Forced Vital Capacity and DLCO (SB), plus the exercise, cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, and oxygen alternatives on the higher lines. The FEV-1 lines are printed under other respiratory codes, including DC 6600, DC 6603, and DC 6604.

FAQ

How does VA rate diffuse interstitial fibrosis under DC 6825?

DC 6825 uses the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease in 38 CFR § 4.97. The lines are 100, 60, 30, and 10, based on FVC, DLCO (SB), exercise capacity, cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, or outpatient oxygen. Education only.

Is every pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis DC 6825?

The schedule title for DC 6825 is diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis). Drug-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis is DC 6829. Radiation-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis is DC 6830. Asbestosis is DC 6833. Those codes share the formula. The schedule does not say that every diagnosis a clinician calls pulmonary fibrosis is DC 6825.

Is this code on the herbicide list?

No. Section 3.309(e) does not name diffuse interstitial fibrosis or pulmonary fibrosis. Section 3.320 does not name them either. The burn-pit statute lists interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis as separate items.

Next steps

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

Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6825 • va.gov

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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.

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