VA Diagnostic Code 6721Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive
Rated from 0% to 50% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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- 50%
Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity
- 30%
Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity
- 30%
Following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease process was active, minimum
- 20%
Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc
- 0%
Otherwise
General rating formula
General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): The 100-percent rating under codes 6701 through 6724 is not subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment. It will be reduced to 50 percent for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment upon report to that effect from the medical authorities. When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities will be appropriately notified of the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.
- Note (2): The graduated 50-percent and 30-percent ratings and the permanent 30 percent and 20 percent ratings for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are not to be combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities. Following thoracoplasty the rating will be for removal of ribs combined with the rating for collapsed lung. Resection of the ribs incident to thoracoplasty will be rated as removal.
Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Far Advanced, Inactive (Diagnostic Code 6721)
Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Rated under the General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 6721 covers chronic pulmonary tuberculosis that reached the "far advanced" stage and is now inactive. In plain terms, this applies to veterans whose tuberculosis affecting the lungs was once active and extensive, and has since become inactive. Because the disease can leave lasting effects on the lungs and overall health even after it is no longer active, the VA provides a rating structure that steps down over time from the date the disease became inactive, while also recognizing lasting minimum levels of disability.
Available Rating Levels
The rating for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis follows a graduated schedule tied to the amount of time that has passed since the disease became inactive, along with permanent minimum ratings based on the severity of the lesions:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 50% | Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity. |
| 30% | Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity. |
| 30% | Following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease process was active — this is the minimum. |
| 20% | Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc. |
| 0% | Otherwise. |
What the VA Looks For
When evaluating this condition, the VA considers:
- The date of inactivity. The graduated 50% and 30% ratings are measured from the date the disease became inactive, stepping down as the specified periods pass.
- The stage of the lesions during the active disease. A minimum 30% rating applies following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease was active. A 20% rating may apply following moderately advanced lesions when there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, and similar effects.
Important Notes
- Note (1): The 100-percent rating under codes 6701 through 6724 is not subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment. It will be reduced to 50 percent for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment upon report to that effect from the medical authorities. When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities will be appropriately notified of the fact, and of the necessity — as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493) — to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.
- Note (2): The graduated 50-percent and 30-percent ratings and the permanent 30 percent and 20 percent ratings for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are not to be combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities. Following thoracoplasty, the rating will be for removal of ribs combined with the rating for collapsed lung. Resection of the ribs incident to thoracoplasty will be rated as removal.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.97 and is provided for general educational purposes.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6721. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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