VA Diagnostic Code 6835Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6835)

Understanding how the VA rates coccidioidomycosis — a fungal lung condition — under the disability rating schedule.

What Is Coccidioidomycosis?

Coccidioidomycosis is a mycotic (fungal) lung disease affecting the respiratory system. The VA rates it under § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6835, using the General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease.

This condition has an incubation period of up to 21 days. The disseminated phase is ordinarily seen within six months of the primary phase — but there are instances where dissemination has been delayed for many years after the initial infection, which may have gone unrecognized.

Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the nature and severity of the condition:

What the VA Looks For

When evaluating coccidioidomycosis, the VA considers factors such as:

• Whether the mycosis is chronic and active, or whether lesions are healed and inactive.
• The presence of significant symptoms — persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis point toward the highest rating.
• Whether suppressive therapy is required, along with the level of remaining symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough.
• The overall symptom burden, distinguishing minimal symptoms from more severe manifestations.

A Note on Service Connection

When service connection is being considered and there is no record or other evidence of the disease during service, the deciding factor is service in the southwestern United States, where the disease is endemic, combined with the absence of prolonged residence in that locality before or after service.