---
title: "DC 6604 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:"
diagnostic_code: "6604"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6604-copd"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:19:58.926816Z"
---

# DC 6604 - Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 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 |

# Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 6604)

*Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97*

## Understanding COPD and How the VA Rates It

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that affects breathing. Under the VA rating schedule, COPD falls under **Diagnostic Code 6604** in the Respiratory System (§ 4.97).

The VA assigns a disability rating for COPD at one of four levels — **10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%** — based primarily on the results of pulmonary function tests and certain related findings. In general, the more your lung function is reduced, the higher the rating level.

## Rating Levels

### 100%
Assigned when any of the following is shown:
- FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or
- FEV-1/FVC (ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity) less than 40 percent, or
- DLCO (SB) (Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method) 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%
Assigned when any of the following is shown:
- 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%
Assigned when any of the following is shown:
- 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%
Assigned when any of the following is shown:
- 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

## What the VA Looks For

When rating COPD under Diagnostic Code 6604, the VA looks at specific measurable findings, including:

- **Pulmonary function test (PFT) results**, such as FEV-1, the FEV-1/FVC ratio, and DLCO (SB) measured as a percentage of predicted value
- **Maximum exercise capacity / oxygen consumption** (measured in ml/kg/min), where cardiac or respiratory limitation is a factor
- **Related cardiopulmonary findings**, such as cor pulmonale (right heart failure), right ventricular hypertrophy, or pulmonary hypertension confirmed by Echo or cardiac catheterization
- **Acute respiratory events**, such as episode(s) of acute respiratory failure
- **Treatment needs**, such as whether outpatient oxygen therapy is required

Because each rating level lists several alternative criteria (any one of which may apply), the VA evaluates the available test results and clinical findings against these thresholds to determine the appropriate rating.

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