38 CFR Part 4 — 38 CFR § 4.97

Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.) — VA Diagnostic Code 6844

Respiratory

Diagnostic code

6844

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38 CFR § 4.97 lists Diagnostic Code 6844 under Restrictive Lung Disease as “Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.).” The title ends with a period after the closing parenthesis. It does not print its own percentage. 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 6843 is “Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc.” DC 6845 is “Chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis.” Both use this same formula. 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 6844 does not print a 0 percent line of its own.

The DC 6817 note says to evaluate other residuals following pulmonary embolism under the most appropriate diagnostic code, “such as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) or chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis (DC 6844).” The row numbered 6844 is post-surgical residual. The row numbered 6845 is chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis. DC 6817 is pulmonary vascular disease. The note and the 6844 title are different sentences.

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 6844 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) names diagnostic codes 6600, 6603, 6604, 6825-6833, and 6840-6845. DC 6844 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 (3) names DC 5321, Muscle Group XXI, and says that involvement will not be separately rated. 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 6844 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 names the surgery, not a percentage

The row is “Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.).” It ends with a period. Lobectomy and pneumonectomy are the examples inside the parentheses. The formula, not a number on that title, supplies 100, 60, 30, and 10.

6844 in the embolism note is a different sentence

The pulmonary-embolism note puts the words “chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis” next to the number 6844. The restrictive-lung table puts those words on 6845 and puts “Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.).” on 6844.

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 6844.

The notes under the shared formula

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 operative report, 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 6844.
The notes under the shared formula	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 operative report, 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).

The exam form

DC 6844 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 6843 is traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, and similar. DC 6845 is chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis. DC 6844’s own title is the post-surgical residual, with lobectomy and pneumonectomy as the examples.

Secondary conditions and presumptions

The 2026-10-01 text of 38 CFR § 3.309 does not contain “lobectomy” or “pneumonectomy.” It lists “Cancer of the lung.” and “Respiratory cancers (cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea).” Those sentences do not assign DC 6844.

Short answers

What is the VA rating for a post-surgical lung residual?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6844 uses the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease: 100, 60, 30, and 10, or rate the primary disorder. The title is “Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.).” Education only. VA decides on the evidence.

Which pulmonary-function rule names this code?

Section 4.96(d) names diagnostic codes 6840-6845. DC 6844 is in that span. Paragraph (d)(1) requires pulmonary function tests except in the cases that paragraph lists.

FAQ

What percentages apply to DC 6844?

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 pulmonary-embolism note rename this code?

The DC 6817 note gives “chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis (DC 6844)” as an example. In the restrictive-lung table, DC 6844 is post-surgical residual and DC 6845 is chronic pleural effusion or fibrosis. The two sentences are both printed. They do not use the same words.

Can this rating be combined with another code in the same span?

Section 4.96(a) says ratings under diagnostic codes 6822 through 6847 will not be combined with each other. DC 6844 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 6844, the formula line it used, and whether it also cited a 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 6844 • 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.