---
title: "DC 6704 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active, advancement unspecified"
diagnostic_code: "6704"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6704-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-active-advancement"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T03:41:32.071314Z"
---

# DC 6704 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active, advancement unspecified

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, active, advancement unspecified |

## 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the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.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 Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Advancement Unspecified) — VA Diagnostic Code 6704

*Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Diagnostic Code 6704*

## Understanding This Condition

Diagnostic Code 6704 addresses **chronic, active pulmonary tuberculosis** where the advancement of the disease is unspecified. Tuberculosis is a disease affecting the lungs, and this rating category applies while the condition is in an **active** state.

The VA rates this condition under 38 CFR § 4.97, which covers disabilities of the respiratory system.

## Available Rating Level

Under Diagnostic Code 6704, the following rating is assigned:

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

## What the VA Looks For

When applying this diagnostic code, there are several important considerations documented in the rating rules:

### Regarding the 100% Rating (Note 1)
- The **100-percent rating** under codes 6701 through 6724 is **not subject to a requirement of precedent hospital treatment**.
- This rating **will be reduced to 50 percent** for failure to submit to examination or to follow prescribed treatment, upon a report to that effect from the medical authorities.
- When a veteran is placed on the 100-percent rating for inactive tuberculosis, the medical authorities are to be appropriately notified of that fact, and of the necessity — as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, repealed by Public Law 90-493) — to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or follow treatment.

### Combining With Other Ratings (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.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6704 under 38 CFR § 4.97. It is provided for general informational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.*

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