---
title: "DC 6724 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive, advancement unspecified"
diagnostic_code: "6724"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6724-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-inactive-advancement"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:35:51.793346Z"
---

# DC 6724 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive, advancement unspecified

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the fact, and of the necessity, as given in footnote 1 to 38 U.S.C. 1156 (and formerly in 38 U.S.C. 356, which has been repealed by Public Law 90-493), to notify the Veterans Service Center in the event of failure to submit to examination or to follow treatment.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 (VA Diagnostic Code 6724)

**Understanding how the VA rates chronic, inactive pulmonary tuberculosis under the respiratory system schedule.**

---

## What This Condition Is

Diagnostic Code 6724 covers **pulmonary tuberculosis that is chronic and inactive**, with advancement unspecified. It falls under the VA's Respiratory System schedule at **38 CFR § 4.97** and is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis**.

This entry addresses tuberculosis that is no longer active but may leave lasting effects on the lungs and overall health.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns ratings for inactive pulmonary tuberculosis on a graduated basis tied to the date of inactivity, as well as based on the severity of lesions diagnosed while the disease was active:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **50%** | Thereafter for four years, or in any event, to six years after the date of inactivity. |
| **30%** | Thereafter, for five years, or to eleven years after the 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 factors including:

- **The date of inactivity** and how much time has passed since the disease became inactive, which affects the graduated 50% and 30% ratings.
- **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** following moderately advanced lesions, such as emphysema, dyspnea on exertion, 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 from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6724) and is provided for general educational purposes. Individual ratings depend on the specific facts of each case as evaluated by the VA.*

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