38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97

Asbestosis — VA Diagnostic Code 6833

Respiratory

Diagnostic code

6833

Start free worksheet Get the Founding Pass — $9.99/month

38 CFR § 4.97 lists Diagnostic Code 6833 as “Asbestosis.” The row does not print a percentage. The General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease names diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833. Appendix B to Part 4 uses “Asbestosis.”

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 § 4.96 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

6833 Asbestosis — the row this code prints

Rating %: —

Criteria (verbatim). Asbestosis.

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
—	Asbestosis.

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 6833 is the last code in that span. The 100, 60, 30, and 10 lines are the formula, not a second table printed only under the word Asbestosis.

The formula does not print a 0 percent line.

38 CFR § 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. DC 6833 is inside 6825-6833. Paragraph (d)(1) requires pulmonary function tests except in the cases that paragraph lists, including a maximum exercise capacity of 20 ml/kg/min or less, documented pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, or right ventricular hypertrophy, an episode of acute respiratory failure, or required outpatient oxygen therapy. 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(a) says ratings under diagnostic codes 6600 through 6817 and 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. DC 6833 is inside 6822 through 6847. 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.

DC 6825 is diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis). It shares this formula. It is not the asbestosis title. The formula also names the codes between them, from desquamative interstitial pneumonitis through pneumoconiosis. Those titles are not DC 6833.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6833, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

FVC and DLCO (SB)

The 100 percent formula line uses FVC less than 50-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) less than 40-percent predicted, or the exercise, cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, or outpatient oxygen clauses. The 10 percent line is FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted.

Not the FEV-1 table

The interstitial-lung formula does not use the FEV-1 lines printed for chronic bronchitis. Those lines are a different formula.

Presumptive names that point elsewhere

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “asbestosis.” The registry rows for interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis already link to DC 6825. This page does not add a second link.

Evidence that speaks to each level

The DC 6833 row

What the rater needs to see. A diagnosis placed on asbestosis, and then the formula line that matches the findings.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary record and the FVC, DLCO (SB), exercise, or oxygen finding the formula names.

The § 4.96(d) exceptions

What the rater needs to see. Whether a pulmonary function test is of record, or whether one of the paragraph (d)(1) exceptions is the basis of the evaluation.

Where that usually lives. The examiner’s statement and the test results the paragraph names.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
The DC 6833 row	A diagnosis placed on asbestosis, and then the formula line that matches the findings.	The pulmonary record and the FVC, DLCO (SB), exercise, or oxygen finding the formula names.
The § 4.96(d) exceptions	Whether a pulmonary function test is of record, or whether one of the paragraph (d)(1) exceptions is the basis of the evaluation.	The examiner’s statement and the test results the paragraph names.

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

DC 6833 uses the interstitial-lung formula. This page does not say the form replaces those lines.

Related codes and how they interact

The shared formula already has a public page at DC 6825.

That page is diffuse interstitial fibrosis. The formula caption still includes DC 6833. The titles are different.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

Section 3.309 does not name asbestosis. The interstitial-lung and pulmonary-fibrosis presumptive rows are already tied to DC 6825, not to this title.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for asbestosis?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6833 uses the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease: 100, 60, 30, and 10. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Is asbestosis a named presumptive disease in § 3.309?

The 2026-10-01 text does not contain “asbestosis.” The interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis rows in the presumptive registry point to DC 6825.

FAQ

How does VA rate asbestosis under DC 6833?

The code uses the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833. Those lines are 100, 60, 30, and 10 percent, using FVC, DLCO (SB), and the exercise, cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, and oxygen clauses on the higher lines. Education only.

Is asbestosis DC 6825?

No. DC 6825 is diffuse interstitial fibrosis (interstitial pneumonitis, fibrosing alveolitis). DC 6833 is asbestosis. Both codes are inside the same formula caption.

Does § 4.96(d) apply?

Yes. Paragraph (d) names diagnostic codes 6825-6833, which includes DC 6833. It states when pulmonary function tests are required and the listed exceptions.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6833 or another code in 6825 through 6833, 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.

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 6833 • 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.