Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease VA Rating
How VA rates Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease under diagnostic code 6604, what evidence decides the percentage, and the reasons these claims get denied or under-rated.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is rated under diagnostic code 6604. In the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities it appears as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, within the Respiratory System section of 38 CFR Part 4.
The essentials
| Diagnostic code | 6604 |
|---|---|
| Rating schedule name | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
| Body system | Respiratory System |
| Examination form | RESP Respiratory conditions |
How VA rates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
These are the rating levels VA assigns under diagnostic code 6604, quoted from the rating schedule. A rater compares the findings in your examination against each level and assigns the highest one your evidence supports.
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Criteria quoted from 38 CFR Part 4, Subpart B (eCFR edition 2026-01-01). Where a rating depends on measurements, the figures in your examination report are what decide it — which is why an examination that skipped a required measurement is worth challenging.
Other names for this condition
VA and treating providers may use different terms for the same condition. If your records use any of these, they may still support a claim for Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:
- COPD
What evidence decides the rating
For respiratory system conditions, these are the findings VA weighs when assigning a percentage. If your examination did not address them, the examination may be inadequate for rating purposes — which is itself an argument on appeal.
- Pulmonary function testing — FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC and DLCO, with post-bronchodilator values
- For sleep apnea: a sleep study confirming the diagnosis, and whether a breathing assistance device is required
- Documentation that any prescribed device is actually medically required, not merely issued
- Frequency of exacerbations, courses of steroids or antibiotics, and any oxygen requirement
Why these claims get denied or under-rated
These are the failure patterns we see most often on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and related respiratory system claims:
- Sleep apnea denied because there is no in-service sleep study — even though the claim was pled as secondary, where an in-service diagnosis is not required
- The examiner said the CPAP was 'issued' rather than 'required', which is the distinction between a 50% rating and a much lower one
- Pulmonary function testing was performed pre-bronchodilator only, or the wrong value was used for rating
Secondary service connection
Under 38 CFR §3.310, a condition caused or aggravated by an already service-connected condition is itself service-connected. Secondary claims are where most veterans are leaving compensation on the table — and where most denials turn on the nexus opinion rather than the diagnosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is commonly claimed secondary to
- Burn pit and particulate matter exposure presumptives
- Asbestos exposure
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease commonly causes or aggravates
- Sleep apnea
- Cor pulmonale
- Depression and anxiety
If you are already service-connected for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and any of these apply to you, they may be claimable as secondary conditions.
If your claim was denied or under-rated
A denial is not the end of the claim. Which route is right depends on why VA decided the way it did:
- Higher-Level Review — when the evidence already in the file supports a grant and VA got the decision wrong, or the examination was inadequate.
- Supplemental Claim — when you have new and relevant evidence, such as a private nexus opinion.
- Board Appeal — when you need a Veterans Law Judge to decide, or want a hearing.
- Clear and Unmistakable Error — when a decision more than a year old contains an undebatable error, which can recover retroactive pay.
Effective dates matter as much as the percentage. See effective dates and back pay for how far back an award can reach.
Sources
Related conditions
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This page is educational information, not legal advice. VA rules and deadlines change — always confirm details with the official source (38 CFR, M21-1) or your accredited claims agent. Borne Accredited Claims is an accredited VA claims agent under 38 CFR §14.629 and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Veterans Affairs. We do not guarantee any specific outcome.