Asthma
Diagnostic Code 6602 • 38 CFR § 4.97
DC 6602 lists alternative criteria at each published tier: FEV‑1, FEV‑1/FVC, attack frequency, physician visits, or medication. Confirm the current text in 38 CFR § 4.97.
DC
6602
DC 6602 Ratings at a Glance (2026, veteran alone)
FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications
$3,938.58/mo
FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids
$1,435.02/mo
FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication
$552.47/mo
FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy
$180.42/mo
Criteria quoted from live 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 (eCFR, title 38 last amended 8/27/2026). Dollar figures are the published veteran-alone cells on VA.gov for that percentage (rates effective December 1, 2025), not a predicted payment.
Complete regulatory criteria, CFR citations, and official rating notes
Three Compensation Scenarios
Example: 50% + 30% + 10% (VA.gov combined-ratings walk)
VA.gov’s published walk for 50% + 30% + 10% is 70%. The published veteran-alone 70% cell is $1,808.45/mo (rates effective December 1, 2025). This is an example from VA.gov, not a prediction.
Medication-path example from DC 6602
Live DC 6602 puts daily systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications on the 100% row, and intermittent (at least three per year) systemic corticosteroid courses on the 60% row. Confirm the current eCFR text against the individual record.
10% asthma + service-connected rhinitis/sinusitis stack
Upper and lower airway claims frequently combine—file secondaries when medical evidence supports aggravation.
Rating Breakdown (DC 6602 — summary)
| Rating | Criteria (summary) | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications. | $3,938.58 |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids. | $1,435.02 |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication. | $552.47 |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy. | $180.42 |
Source: 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602. There is no 20% row and no 0% row on that code. Pay cells are the published veteran-alone amounts on VA.gov for those percentages.
Evidence Requirements
Spirometry / PFTs
Pre- and post-bronchodilator values; compare to predicted.
Steroid history
Oral prednisone tapers, IM injections—frequency and duration.
ER & urgent care
After-visit summaries for exacerbations support severity.
Allergy / FeNO
Supportive—not a substitute for scheduled PFT criteria.
Occupational impact
Mask/dust restrictions, missed work from attacks.
Common Secondary Conditions
🌬️ Sinusitis
Commonly discussed6510–6514 • Unified airway inflammation
🔥 GERD
Commonly discussed7206 • Reflux may aggravate airway symptoms
😴 Sleep apnea
Sometimes discussed6847 • Bidirectional with asthma
🧠 Anxiety / depression
Sometimes discussed9411 / 9434 • Chronic disease burden
🫁 Chronic bronchitis
Sometimes discussed6600 • Overlapping airway disease
📋 TDIU
CASE§4.16 • If unable to work in suitable jobs
Claim Timeline
Pulmonology records
Diagnosis, action plan, peak flow if used
File claim
List inhalers + steroids with dates
C&P respiratory
Spirometry—ask for copy same day
Decision
Verify more favorable test + steroid tier
Increase
New PFT if better/worse than prior year
Higher Ratings — What Moves the Needle
Systemic steroids (as DC 6602 writes them)
Daily systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications are on the 100% row. Intermittent (at least three per year) systemic corticosteroid courses are on the 60% row. Daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication, is on the 30% row.
Worst PFT of record
If prior tests were worse, argue for staged ratings or earlier effective dates with new evidence rules.
Respiratory-failure attacks
DC 6602’s 100% row includes more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure. Hospital records, if they exist, are records — not a predicted rating.
Common Mistakes
Single good PFT
Asthma varies—submit worst reliable tests and exacerbation records.
Medication before test
Bronchodilator timing affects results—note protocol complaints if flawed.
No steroid proof
Verbal history without fills—get pharmacy printouts.
Missing secondaries
GERD/sinusitis frequently co-exist—claim with nexus evidence.
FAQs
▸ Home peak flow vs formal PFT?
Scheduled ratings emphasize spirometry; peak flow can support symptoms but may not replace regulatory PFT values.
▸ Burn pits / asthma?
Many veterans link particulate exposure—review PACT/presumptive rules current for your locations and dates with a VSO.
▸ Can I get SMC for asthma?
SMC generally requires separate statutory criteria (e.g., aid and attendance)—not routine with asthma alone.
Cross-Links
⚠️ 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.