VA Diagnostic Code 6519Aphonia, complete organic:
Rated from 60% to 100% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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What each rating requires
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- 100%
Constant inability to communicate by speech
- 60%
Constant inability to speak above a whisper
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Evaluate incomplete aphonia as laryngitis, chronic (DC 6516).
Complete Organic Aphonia (VA Diagnostic Code 6519)
Respiratory System — 38 CFR § 4.97
What This Condition Is
Complete organic aphonia refers to the loss of the ability to produce voice due to a physical (organic) cause. In practical terms, it affects a person's capacity to speak. The VA rates this condition under Diagnostic Code 6519 as part of the respiratory system.
Available Rating Levels
The VA uses the following rating levels for complete organic aphonia:
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | Constant inability to communicate by speech |
| 60% | Constant inability to speak above a whisper |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating complete organic aphonia, the VA focuses on the extent and consistency of the impairment to speech:
- For a 100% rating: Evidence of a constant inability to communicate by speech.
- For a 60% rating: Evidence of a constant inability to speak above a whisper.
Important Note
- Incomplete aphonia is not rated under this code. Instead, the VA evaluates incomplete aphonia as chronic laryngitis (Diagnostic Code 6516).
This overview is based on the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.97 for informational purposes only. It describes the rating criteria as written and does not predict any individual outcome or provide legal advice.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6519. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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