38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis — VA Diagnostic Code 6827
Respiratory
Diagnostic code
6827
38 CFR § 4.97 places Diagnostic Code 6827 under the heading Interstitial Lung Disease. The code title is “Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.” It ends with a period. The rating cell on that title is empty. Diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833 use the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, printed after DC 6833. DC 6827 does not print its own percentages. [DC 6825](/conditions/diagnostic-codes/dc-6825-fibrosis-of-lung-diffuse-interstitial) is diffuse interstitial fibrosis. [DC 6826](/conditions/diagnostic-codes/dc-6826-desquamative-interstitial-pneumonitis) is desquamative interstitial pneumonitis. Those titles share this formula. They are not the DC 6827 title.
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. Section 4.97 was last amended at 71 FR 28586, May 17, 2006. Section 4.96 was last amended at 71 FR 52459, Sept. 6, 2006.
The rating criteria at each level
6827 Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Rating %: —
Criteria (verbatim). Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| — | Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. |
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
| Rating % | Criteria (verbatim) |
|---|---|
| 100 | 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 |
| 60 | 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 |
| 30 | FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted |
| 10 | 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 6827 is inside that span.
DC 6827 does not print a 0 percent line. The formula’s lowest printed line is 10.
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 rating alternatives.
38 CFR § 4.31 says that 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 § 4.7 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.
38 CFR § 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is inside 6825-6833. 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)(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.
38 CFR § 4.96(a) says ratings under diagnostic codes 6600 through 6817 and 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. DC 6827 is inside 6822 through 6847. 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.
38 CFR § 4.14 says the evaluation of the same disability under various diagnoses is to be avoided. DC 6600 uses FEV-1 lines. The interstitial formula uses FVC and DLCO (SB).
Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6827 and the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.
What the words mean in your records
The title ends with a period
The schedule line is “Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.” The rating cell on that line is empty. The percentages are on the formula that follows DC 6833.
FVC and DLCO (SB)
The 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.
A different title from DC 6825
The public research list points “Interstitial lung disease” and “Pulmonary fibrosis” at DC 6825. DC 6827’s title is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Both codes are inside 6825 through 6833. The schedule prints them as separate titles.
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 same pulmonary function or exercise report.
30 or 10
What the rater needs to see. The FVC or DLCO (SB) band on the 30 or 10 percent line.
Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function report. Section 4.96(d)(5) says which of the pre-bronchodilator and post-bronchodilator values to use.
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).
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. This page does not say the form replaces the formula.
Related codes and how they interact
Secondary conditions and presumptions
The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “proteinosis.” The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.320 lists asthma, rhinitis, and sinusitis, and a list of rare cancers. It does not contain “proteinosis.” The research row for interstitial lung disease points at DC 6825. This page does not move that row to DC 6827.
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 pulmonary alveolar proteinosis?
Under 38 CFR § 4.97, codes 6825 through 6833 use the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease: 100, 60, 30, and 10. DC 6827 is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.
Which pulmonary function tests does the formula name?
Forced Vital Capacity and DLCO (SB), plus the exercise, cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, and outpatient-oxygen alternatives on the higher lines. The FEV-1 lines are printed under other respiratory codes, including DC 6600.
FAQ
How does VA rate pulmonary alveolar proteinosis under DC 6827?
DC 6827 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 DC 6827 the same title as diffuse interstitial fibrosis?
No. DC 6825 is diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis). DC 6827 is pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. Both are inside diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833, and both use that formula.
Does the formula print a zero percent line?
No. The lowest printed line is 10. Section 4.31 is the rule for a code that does not provide a zero percent evaluation when the requirements for a compensable evaluation are not met.
Next steps
- Read the decision for DC 6827 and the FVC, DLCO, exercise, and oxygen findings.
- 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 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
- DC 6828Eosinophilic granuloma
- DC 6829Drug-induced, pneumonitis & fibrosis
- DC 6830Radiation-induced, pneumonitis & fibrosis
- DC 6831Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- DC 6832Pneumoconiosis
- DC 6833Asbestosis
- DC 6834Histoplasmosis
- DC 6835Coccidioidomycosis
Also: DC code lookup (tools) lists the same index in a compact layout.
Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6827 • 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.