---
title: "DC 6602 - Asthma, bronchial:"
diagnostic_code: "6602"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6602-asthma"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:58.693470Z"
---

# DC 6602 - Asthma, bronchial:

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy |

## Notes

- Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.

# VA Disability Ratings for Bronchial Asthma (Diagnostic Code 6602)

## Understanding Your Asthma Rating

Bronchial asthma is a condition of the **respiratory system**. The VA rates it under **Diagnostic Code 6602** in **§ 4.97** of its rating schedule.

If you have a history of asthma, understanding how the VA evaluates the condition can help you know what information may be relevant to your claim.

---

## How the VA Rates Bronchial Asthma

The VA assigns a disability rating for asthma based on measurable lung-function test results and the type and frequency of treatment you need. Asthma can be rated at **10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%**.

Two common measurements the VA references are:

- **FEV-1** — the amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second, expressed as a percentage of what is predicted for someone with similar characteristics.
- **FEV-1/FVC** — the ratio of that one-second measurement to your total forced exhalation.

Below are the rating levels and the criteria associated with each.

### 100% Rating
- FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, **or**
- FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, **or**
- More than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, **or**
- Requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high-dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications

### 60% Rating
- FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, **or**
- FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, **or**
- At least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, **or**
- Intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids

### 30% Rating
- FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, **or**
- FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, **or**
- Daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, **or**
- Inhalational anti-inflammatory medication

### 10% Rating
- FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, **or**
- FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, **or**
- Intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy

---

## What the VA Looks For

The VA evaluates asthma using a combination of:

- **Pulmonary function test results** — specifically your FEV-1 percentage and your FEV-1/FVC ratio.
- **Frequency of attacks and physician visits** — including how often you need care for exacerbations.
- **Type and frequency of medication** — such as bronchodilators, inhalational anti-inflammatory medication, systemic corticosteroids, or immuno-suppressive medications.

Because a single rating level lists several possible criteria connected by "or," meeting any one of the listed criteria may be relevant to that level.

**Please note:** In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at the time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.

---

*This information is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the VA rating criteria for Diagnostic Code 6602 under § 4.97. It is not legal advice, and individual results depend on the specific facts of each claim.*

Source: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97