38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97

Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc. — VA Diagnostic Code 6843

Respiratory

Diagnostic code

6843

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38 CFR § 4.97 lists Diagnostic Code 6843 under Restrictive Lung Disease as “Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc.” The title ends with a period. It does not print its own percentages. Diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845 use the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease.

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

General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845)

Rating %: 100

Criteria (verbatim). FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, 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 cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy

Rating %: 60

Criteria (verbatim). FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)

Rating %: 30

Criteria (verbatim). FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted

Rating %: 10

Criteria (verbatim). FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted

Rating %	Criteria (verbatim)
100	FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, 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 cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy
60	FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)
30	FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted
10	FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted

Or rate primary disorder.

Note (1): A 100-percent rating shall be assigned for pleurisy with empyema, with or without pleurocutaneous fistula, until resolved.

Note (2): Following episodes of total spontaneous pneumothorax, a rating of 100 percent shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission and shall continue for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge.

Note (3): Gunshot wounds of the pleural cavity with bullet or missile retained in lung, pain or discomfort on exertion, or with scattered rales or some limitation of excursion of diaphragm or of lower chest expansion shall be rated at least 20-percent disabling. Disabling injuries of shoulder girdle muscles (Groups I to IV) shall be separately rated and combined with ratings for respiratory involvement. Involvement of Muscle Group XXI (DC 5321), however, will not be separately rated.

The 100 percent line does not end with a period. The 60 percent line says “DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted” and “cardiorespiratory limit.” The 30 percent line says “DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted,” without “of.” The formula then says “Or rate primary disorder.” DC 6845 uses this same formula. Its title is chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis. 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. The formula’s lowest printed line is 10. DC 6843 does not print a 0 percent line of its own.

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 6843 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. Paragraph (d) is special provisions for diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. DC 6843 is inside 6840-6845. Paragraph (d)(1) says pulmonary function tests (PFT's) are required to evaluate these conditions except in the cases that paragraph lists.

Note (2) says “total spontaneous pneumothorax.” The DC 6843 title says “pneumothorax,” among “Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc.” Those are not the same sentence. DC 6847 is sleep apnea syndromes. The public page is the sleep apnea guide. It is outside 6840 through 6845. 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.

Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6843 and the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease, eCFR full-text XML for 2026-10-01.

What the words mean in your records

The title is longer than one defect

The row is “Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc.” It ends with a period. The formula, not a percentage on that title, supplies 100, 60, 30, and 10.

Total spontaneous pneumothorax

Note (2) assigns 100 percent following episodes of total spontaneous pneumothorax, as of the date of hospital admission, and continues it for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge. The title’s word “pneumothorax” does not repeat “total spontaneous.”

Evidence that speaks to each level

100, 60, 30, or 10

What the rater needs to see. The FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, DLCO (SB), or the other alternative the formula line names.

Where that usually lives. The pulmonary function test report. Section 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6840-6845, which includes DC 6843.

The notes

What the rater needs to see. Pleurisy with empyema when Note (1) is the line, the hospital dates when Note (2)’s total spontaneous pneumothorax is the line, or the retained missile and chest findings when Note (3) is the line.

Where that usually lives. The hospital record and the examination the note names.

Level	What the rater needs to see	Where that usually lives
100, 60, 30, or 10	The FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, DLCO (SB), or the other alternative the formula line names.	The pulmonary function test report. Section 4.96(d) applies to diagnostic codes 6840-6845, which includes DC 6843.
The notes	Pleurisy with empyema when Note (1) is the line, the hospital dates when Note (2)’s total spontaneous pneumothorax is the line, or the retained missile and chest findings when Note (3) is the line.	The hospital record and the examination the note 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). Sleep apnea is a separate public form and a separate code, DC 6847.

The exam form

DC 6843 uses the restrictive formula and Notes (1) through (3). This page does not say the form replaces those lines.

Related codes and how they interact

The same formula covers 6840 through 6845.

DC 6840 is diaphragm paralysis or paresis. DC 6845 is chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis. DC 6843’s own title adds pneumothorax and hernia to traumatic chest wall defect.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “chest wall” or “pneumothorax.” DC 6843 is a rating-schedule line, not a § 3.309 name.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for a traumatic chest wall defect?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6843 uses the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease: 100, 60, 30, and 10, or rate the primary disorder. Notes address pleurisy with empyema, total spontaneous pneumothorax, and certain pleural gunshot wounds. Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which pulmonary-function rule names this code?

Section 4.96(d) names diagnostic codes 6840-6845. DC 6843 is in that span. Paragraph (d)(1) requires pulmonary function tests except in the cases that paragraph lists.

FAQ

What percentages apply to DC 6843?

Diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845 use the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease. The lines are 100, 60, 30, and 10. The schedule also says “Or rate primary disorder.” Education only.

Does the title’s pneumothorax use Note (2) by itself?

Note (2) names “total spontaneous pneumothorax,” dates the 100 percent from hospital admission, and continues it for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge. The title lists “pneumothorax” with traumatic chest wall defect and hernia. The note does not say every pneumothorax is that total-spontaneous sentence.

Can this rating be combined with another restrictive-lung code?

Section 4.96(a) says ratings under diagnostic codes 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. DC 6843 is in that span. A single rating is assigned under the diagnostic code which reflects the predominant disability.

Next steps

Read the decision for DC 6843, the formula line it used, and any note about empyema, total spontaneous pneumothorax, or a retained missile.
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

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

Source: 38 CFR Part 4, Diagnostic Code 6843 • 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.