---
title: "DC 6823 - Nocardiosis"
diagnostic_code: "6823"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6823-nocardiosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T20:37:21.798499Z"
---

# DC 6823 - Nocardiosis

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). |

# Nocardiosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6823)

## Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for Nocardiosis

Nocardiosis is a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. Under the VA's rating schedule, it falls within the **Respiratory System** and is evaluated under **§ 4.97**, Diagnostic Code **6823**.

Because it is a bacterial infection of the lung, the VA rates Nocardiosis using the **General Rating Formula for Bacterial Infections of the Lung** (which covers diagnostic codes 6822 through 6824).

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## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns a disability rating based on whether the infection is currently active and, if it is not active, on what lasting effects (residuals) remain.

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

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

### 0% Rating
A **0%** rating applies when the infection is no longer active. In this case, the VA evaluates any remaining effects (residuals) based on the specific findings. Depending on those findings, residuals are rated as:

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

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## What the VA Looks For

When rating Nocardiosis, the VA considers:

- **Whether the infection is currently active**, and if so, whether it is accompanied by systemic symptoms like fever, night sweats, weight loss, or hemoptysis.
- **The specific residual findings** once the infection is no longer active, which determine whether it is evaluated as interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or chronic bronchitis (DC 6600) when obstructive lung disease is the major residual.

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*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule under § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6823. Individual ratings depend on your specific medical findings.*

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