---
title: "DC 6722 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, moderately advanced, inactive"
diagnostic_code: "6722"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6722-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-moderately-advanced-inactive"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:35:02.695706Z"
---

# DC 6722 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, moderately advanced, inactive

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 50% | Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity |
| 30% | Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity |
| 30% | Following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease process was active, minimum |
| 20% | Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc |
| 0% | Otherwise |

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fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.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

# Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Moderately Advanced) — VA Diagnostic Code 6722

**Understanding how the VA rates chronic, moderately advanced pulmonary tuberculosis once it has become inactive.**

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## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code **6722** covers **chronic, moderately advanced pulmonary tuberculosis that is now inactive**. This falls under the **Respiratory System** in the VA rating schedule (**38 CFR § 4.97**) and is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis**.

Because the disease is classified as *inactive*, the VA's ratings reflect the period of time that has passed since the date of inactivity, as well as any continued disability that remains after the active disease process has ended.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a rating based on how much time has passed since the date of inactivity and the severity of the lesions and remaining disability:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **50%** | Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after date of inactivity. |
| **30%** | Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after date of inactivity. |
| **30%** | Following far advanced lesions diagnosed at any time while the disease process was active — this is the minimum. |
| **20%** | Following moderately advanced lesions, provided there is continued disability, emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, impairment of health, etc. |
| **0%** | Otherwise. |

---

## What the VA Looks For

When rating inactive pulmonary tuberculosis under this code, the VA considers:

- **The date of inactivity** and how many years have passed since that date, which drives the graduated ratings (50% and 30%).
- **The severity of lesions** diagnosed while the disease was active — far advanced lesions carry a minimum 30% rating, while moderately advanced lesions may support a 20% rating.
- **Continued disability** for the 20% level, such as emphysema, dyspnea on exertion (shortness of breath with activity), and impairment of health.

### Important 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.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule at 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6722. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.*

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