VA Diagnostic Code 6844Post-surgical residual (lobectomy, pneumonectomy, etc.)
Rated from 10% 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%
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
General rating formula
General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845)
Notes on this code
These notes are part of the regulation. They change how the levels above are applied.
- Note (1): A 100-percent rating shall be assigned for pleurisy with empyema, with or without pleurocutaneous fistula, until resolved.
- Note (2): Following episodes of total spontaneous pneumothorax, a rating of 100 percent shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission and shall continue for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge.
- Note (3): Gunshot wounds of the pleural cavity with bullet or missile retained in lung, pain or discomfort on exertion, or with scattered rales or some limitation of excursion of diaphragm or of lower chest expansion shall be rated at least 20-percent disabling. Disabling injuries of shoulder girdle muscles (Groups I to IV) shall be separately rated and combined with ratings for respiratory involvement. Involvement of Muscle Group XXI (DC 5321), however, will not be separately rated.
Post-Surgical Residual (Lobectomy, Pneumonectomy, etc.) — VA Diagnostic Code 6844
Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97
Understanding This Condition
Diagnostic Code 6844 addresses the residual effects that can remain after lung surgery, such as a lobectomy (removal of a lobe of the lung) or a pneumonectomy (removal of an entire lung). After these procedures, some veterans continue to experience reduced lung function.
The VA evaluates this condition under the General Rating Formula for Restrictive Lung Disease, which applies to diagnostic codes 6840 through 6845. Ratings are based primarily on objective pulmonary function testing and related measures of how well your lungs and heart are working.
Available Rating Levels
The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on your test results and clinical findings:
| Rating | What Supports This Level |
|---|---|
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40% of predicted value; or FEV-1/FVC less than 40%; or DLCO (SB) less than 40% 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 40–55% predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 40–55%; or DLCO (SB) of 40–55% predicted; or maximum oxygen consumption of 15–20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit) |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56–70% predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 56–70%; or DLCO (SB) of 56–65% predicted |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71–80% predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 71–80%; or DLCO (SB) of 66–80% predicted |
What the VA Looks For
The VA relies on objective medical measurements to determine your rating. These include:
- FEV-1 — the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second, expressed as a percentage of the predicted normal value.
- FEV-1/FVC — the ratio of that one-second exhalation to your total forced vital capacity.
- DLCO (SB) — Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide, measured by the single breath method, which shows how efficiently your lungs transfer oxygen.
- Maximum exercise / oxygen consumption capacity — measured in ml/kg/min, sometimes with a note about cardiac or respiratory limitation.
- Cardiac and pulmonary complications — such as cor pulmonale (right heart failure), right ventricular hypertrophy, or pulmonary hypertension confirmed by Echo or cardiac catheterization.
- Acute events and treatment needs — including episodes of acute respiratory failure or the need for outpatient oxygen therapy.
Important Notes
- Note (1): A 100-percent rating shall be assigned for pleurisy with empyema, with or without pleurocutaneous fistula, until resolved.
- Note (2): Following episodes of total spontaneous pneumothorax, a rating of 100 percent shall be assigned as of the date of hospital admission and shall continue for three months from the first day of the month after hospital discharge.
- Note (3): Gunshot wounds of the pleural cavity with bullet or missile retained in lung, pain or discomfort on exertion, or with scattered rales or some limitation of excursion of diaphragm or of lower chest expansion shall be rated at least 20-percent disabling. Disabling injuries of shoulder girdle muscles (Groups I to IV) shall be separately rated and combined with ratings for respiratory involvement. Involvement of Muscle Group XXI (DC 5321), however, will not be separately rated.
This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6844). It is provided for general educational purposes and describes the criteria the VA uses; it does not guarantee any particular rating or outcome.
These criteria are a rendering of § 4.97, diagnostic code 6844. The official version is the one that governs your rating.
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