---
title: "DC 6822 - Actinomycosis"
diagnostic_code: "6822"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6822-actinomycosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:37:04.284608Z"
---

# DC 6822 - Actinomycosis

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

General Rating Formula for Bacterial Infections of the Lung (diagnostic codes 6822 through 6824)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Active infection with systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, or hemoptysis |
| 0% | 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). |

# Actinomycosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6822)

## Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for Actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection of the lung. Under the VA's rating schedule, it is evaluated within the **Respiratory System** body system and falls under **§ 4.97** of the federal regulations.

Because it is a bacterial lung infection, Actinomycosis is rated using the **General Rating Formula for Bacterial Infections of the Lung**, which applies to diagnostic codes 6822 through 6824.

---

## How the VA Rates Actinomycosis

The VA assigns a disability rating based on whether the infection is currently active and what symptoms or residual effects are present. There are two rating levels under this diagnostic code:

### 100% Rating
Assigned when there is an **active infection with systemic symptoms**, such as:

- Fever
- Night sweats
- Weight loss
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

### 0% Rating
When the active infection is not present, the VA rates any **residuals** (lasting effects) depending on the specific findings. These residuals may be rated as:

- **Interstitial lung disease**
- **Restrictive lung disease**, or
- **Chronic bronchitis (Diagnostic Code 6600)** — when obstructive lung disease is the major residual

---

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating Actinomycosis, the VA focuses on:

- **Whether the infection is currently active** and accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, night sweats, weight loss, or hemoptysis.
- **The nature of any residual lung conditions** remaining after the active infection, and whether they are best characterized as interstitial, restrictive, or obstructive lung disease.

The rating reflects the current status of the infection and the specific findings related to any lasting effects on the lungs.

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