---
title: "DC 6826 - Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis"
diagnostic_code: "6826"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6826-desquamative-interstitial-pneumonitis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:00.420852Z"
---

# DC 6826 - Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy |
| 60% | FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation |
| 30% | FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted |
| 10% | FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted |

# Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonitis (VA Diagnostic Code 6826)

## Understanding This Condition and How the VA Rates It

Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis is a respiratory condition rated by the VA under **Diagnostic Code 6826**, part of the **Respiratory System** category found in **38 CFR § 4.97**.

The VA evaluates this condition using the **General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease**. This means your disability rating is based on measurable results from pulmonary function testing and related clinical findings—not on the diagnosis alone.

---

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following ratings based on how your lung function measures against established thresholds. A higher rating reflects greater impairment.

### 100% Rating
Assigned when **any one** of the following is present:
- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, **or**
- Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40-percent predicted, **or**
- Maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, **or**
- Cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, **or**
- Requires outpatient oxygen therapy

### 60% Rating
Assigned when **any one** of the following is present:
- FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, **or**
- DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, **or**
- Maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

### 30% Rating
Assigned when **any one** of the following is present:
- FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, **or**
- DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted

### 10% Rating
Assigned when **any one** of the following is present:
- FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, **or**
- DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted

---

## What the VA Looks For

When rating desquamative interstitial pneumonitis, the VA focuses on objective measures of lung function and related clinical findings, including:

- **Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)** as a percentage of predicted value
- **Diffusion Capacity (DLCO (SB))** as a percentage of predicted value
- **Maximum exercise capacity**, measured in ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption, along with any cardiorespiratory limitation
- The presence of **cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension**
- Whether the condition **requires outpatient oxygen therapy**

Because the rating levels use "or" criteria, meeting the threshold for a single measurement can qualify you for that rating level. The VA reviews the full picture of your test results and clinical findings when assigning a rating.

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