VA Diagnostic Code 6837Cryptococcosis
Rated from 0% to 100% under § 4.97. Here is what the VA requires at each level.
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- 100%
Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis
- 50%
Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough
- 30%
Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough
- 0%
Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic
General rating formula
General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839)
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note: Coccidioidomycosis has an incubation period up to 21 days, and the disseminated phase is ordinarily manifest within six months of the primary phase. However, there are instances of dissemination delayed up to many years after the initial infection which may have been unrecognized. Accordingly, when service connection is under consideration in the absence of record or other evidence of the disease in service, service in southwestern United States where the disease is endemic and absence of prolonged residence in this locality before or after service will be the deciding factor.
Cryptococcosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6837)
Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Rated under the General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease
What This Condition Is
Cryptococcosis is a fungal (mycotic) infection that can affect the lungs. Under the VA rating schedule, it is evaluated as a form of chronic pulmonary mycosis — a fungal lung disease — using the General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease found in § 4.97.
Because it is rated on this shared formula, the VA assigns a disability percentage based on how active the disease is and the type and severity of symptoms it produces.
Available Rating Levels
The VA uses the following rating levels for this condition:
| Rating | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| 100% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis |
| 50% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough |
| 30% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough |
| 0% | Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic |
What the VA Looks For When Rating This Condition
When evaluating cryptococcosis, the VA focuses on:
- Whether the disease is active or healed. Healed and inactive lesions with no symptoms are rated at 0%.
- The nature and severity of symptoms, such as fever, weight loss, night sweats, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and productive cough.
- Whether suppressive therapy is required. A condition that requires suppressive therapy but produces no more than minimal symptoms is distinguished from one with only minimal symptoms.
- The presence of serious systemic signs — persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis — which correspond to the highest rating level.
Additional Note on Service Connection
The rating schedule includes a note relevant to mycotic lung disease and service connection:
Coccidioidomycosis has an incubation period up to 21 days, and the disseminated phase is ordinarily manifest within six months of the primary phase. However, there are instances of dissemination delayed up to many years after the initial infection which may have been unrecognized. Accordingly, when service connection is under consideration in the absence of record or other evidence of the disease in service, service in southwestern United States where the disease is endemic and absence of prolonged residence in this locality before or after service will be the deciding factor.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule and is provided for general educational purposes. It describes the rating criteria only and does not predict any individual outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6837. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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