VA Diagnostic Code 6846Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6846)

Understanding how the VA rates sarcoidosis under 38 CFR § 4.97 — Respiratory System.

What Is Sarcoidosis?

Sarcoidosis is a condition that most often affects the lungs (pulmonary involvement) but can also involve other body systems. Under the VA rating schedule, it falls within the Respiratory System (§ 4.97), Diagnostic Code 6846.

The VA offers two possible approaches to rating sarcoidosis. It can be rated using the levels described below, or active disease or its residuals may be rated as chronic bronchitis (Diagnostic Code 6600), with any extra-pulmonary involvement rated under the specific body system that is affected.

Available Rating Levels

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

What the VA Looks For

When rating sarcoidosis, the VA focuses on the extent and severity of the condition, including:

• Cardiac and cardiopulmonary complications — such as cor pulmonale or cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure.
• Progression of pulmonary disease — including fever, night sweats, and weight loss that continue despite treatment.
• The type and level of corticosteroid treatment required — whether systemic high dose (therapeutic) corticosteroids, or chronic low dose (maintenance) or intermittent corticosteroids are needed to manage pulmonary involvement.
• Presence of symptoms and physiologic impairment — including whether chronic hilar adenopathy or stable lung infiltrates are present without symptoms or impairment.

The VA may also consider whether it is more appropriate to rate the condition as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600), and to rate any extra-pulmonary involvement under the body system that is affected.