---
title: "DC 6731 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive:"
diagnostic_code: "6731"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6731-tuberculosis-pulmonary-chronic-inactive"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:36:30.709446Z"
---

# DC 6731 - Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, inactive:

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

Depending on the specific findings, rate residuals as interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or, when obstructive lung disease is the major residual, as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). Rate thoracoplasty as removal of ribs under DC 5297.

## Rating criteria

No itemised criteria have been extracted for this code. Use the official source.

## Notes

- Note: A mandatory examination will be requested immediately following notification that active tuberculosis evaluated under DC 6730 has become inactive. Any change in evaluation will be carried out under the provisions of § 3.105(e).

# Chronic, Inactive Pulmonary Tuberculosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6731)

*Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97*

## Understanding This Condition

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a lung disease. When the disease is described as **chronic and inactive**, the active infection is no longer present, but lasting effects on the lungs — known as **residuals** — may remain.

Under VA Diagnostic Code 6731, the focus is on these residuals rather than on active disease. How the condition is evaluated depends on the specific findings from your lungs.

## How the VA Rates It

Diagnostic Code 6731 does not use a single fixed rating scale. Instead, the residuals are rated based on the type of lung effect present:

- **Interstitial lung disease** — rated according to the criteria for that condition.
- **Restrictive lung disease** — rated according to the criteria for that condition.
- **Obstructive lung disease**, when it is the major residual — rated as **chronic bronchitis (Diagnostic Code 6600)**.
- **Thoracoplasty** (a surgical procedure affecting the ribs) — rated as removal of ribs under **Diagnostic Code 5297**.

The rating level assigned reflects which of these residuals apply and the specific findings in your case.

## What the VA Looks For

- **The specific findings** from your lungs, which determine whether the residuals are treated as interstitial, restrictive, or obstructive lung disease.
- **The major residual** present — if obstructive lung disease is the primary lasting effect, it is evaluated as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600).
- **Surgical history** such as thoracoplasty, which is rated under the criteria for removal of ribs (DC 5297).

## Important Note

A **mandatory examination will be requested immediately** following notification that active tuberculosis (evaluated under Diagnostic Code 6730) has become inactive. Any change in evaluation is carried out under the provisions of **§ 3.105(e)**.

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