---
title: "DC 6723 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, inactive"
diagnostic_code: "6723"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6723-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-minimal-inactive"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:35:26.451087Z"
---

# DC 6723 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, minimal, 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the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.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.

# Chronic Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis (Minimal) — VA Diagnostic Code 6723

**Understanding your VA disability rating for chronic, minimal, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis under 38 CFR § 4.97.**

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## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code **6723** covers **pulmonary tuberculosis that is chronic, minimal, and now inactive** — a respiratory condition rated under the **General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis** in § 4.97.

Because the disease is inactive, the VA rates it based on the time that has passed since the date of inactivity and, in some cases, the severity of the lesions that were present while the disease was active, along with any continued disability.

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## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a rating for this condition according to the following schedule:

| 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 (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 this condition, the VA considers:

- **The date of inactivity** and how much time has passed since then, which drives the graduated 50% and 30% ratings.
- **The severity of lesions** diagnosed while the disease was active — for example, far advanced lesions (minimum 30%) or moderately advanced lesions (20%).
- **Continued disability**, including emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, and impairment of health, which is relevant for the 20% level following moderately advanced lesions.

### 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.

---

*Reference: 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6723 — Respiratory System.*

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