---
title: "DC 6703 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, active"
diagnostic_code: "6703"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6703-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-minimal-active"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T03:41:11.361042Z"
---

# DC 6703 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, active

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, active |

## Notes

- Note (1): The 100-percent rating under codes 6701 through 6724 is not subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment. It will be reduced to 50 percent for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment upon report to that effect from the medical authorities. When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities will be appropriately notified of the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.
- Note (2): The graduated 50-percent and 30-percent ratings and the permanent 30 percent and 20 percent ratings for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis are not to be combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities. Following thoracoplasty the rating will be for removal of ribs combined with the rating for collapsed lung. Resection of the ribs incident to thoracoplasty will be rated as removal.

# Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Minimal, Active) — VA Diagnostic Code 6703

**Body System:** Respiratory System
**Regulation:** 38 CFR § 4.97

---

## What This Rating Covers

Diagnostic Code 6703 addresses **chronic pulmonary tuberculosis that is minimal and active**. This is one of the respiratory conditions the VA evaluates under § 4.97, in the group of tuberculosis diagnostic codes (6701 through 6724).

If you are living with active pulmonary tuberculosis, understanding how the VA structures this rating can help you know what to expect during the evaluation process.

---

## Available Rating Level

For chronic, minimal, active pulmonary tuberculosis, the rating schedule provides the following level:

| Rating | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| **100%** | Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, active |

---

## What the VA Looks For

The VA evaluates this condition according to the criteria and notes set out in § 4.97. A few important points from the regulation:

- **No prior hospital treatment required for the 100% rating.** Under codes 6701 through 6724, the 100-percent rating is **not** subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment.

- **Cooperation with examinations and treatment matters.** The 100-percent rating will be reduced to 50 percent for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment, based on a report to that effect from the medical authorities.

- **Notification process for inactive tuberculosis.** When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities are to be notified, along with the requirement (referenced in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156) to notify the Veterans Service Center if the veteran fails to submit to examination or follow treatment.

- **Rules for combining with other respiratory disabilities.** The graduated 50-percent and 30-percent ratings, and the permanent 30-percent and 20-percent ratings, for *inactive* pulmonary tuberculosis are **not** to be combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities. Following thoracoplasty, the rating will be for removal of ribs combined with the rating for collapsed lung. Resection of the ribs incident to thoracoplasty is rated as removal.

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*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under 38 CFR § 4.97 for Diagnostic Code 6703. It is provided for general educational purposes and reflects the criteria as written in the regulation.*

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