---
title: "DC 6827 - Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis"
diagnostic_code: "6827"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6827-pulmonary-alveolar-proteinosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:00.512897Z"
---

# DC 6827 - Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

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 |

# Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6827)

## Understanding Your VA Disability Rating for Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a respiratory system condition rated by the VA under **38 CFR § 4.97**, Diagnostic Code **6827**. Because it affects the lungs, the VA evaluates it using the **General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease**.

This formula relies heavily on objective pulmonary function testing. The two key measurements are:

- **Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)** — the amount of air you can forcefully exhale, expressed as a percentage of what's predicted for someone of your age, sex, and size.
- **Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB))** — a measure of how well oxygen passes from your lungs into your bloodstream, also expressed as a percentage of predicted.

In some cases, the VA also considers your **maximum exercise capacity** (measured in ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation), as well as certain serious complications and treatment needs.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on your test results and clinical findings:

### 100% Rating
Assigned when **any one** of the following is present:
- FVC less than 50-percent predicted, **or**
- 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 pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, the VA focuses on:

- **Pulmonary function test results**, particularly your FVC and DLCO (SB) percentages of predicted values.
- **Exercise capacity testing** results in cases where oxygen consumption and cardiorespiratory limitation are measured.
- **Serious complications** such as cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension.
- **Whether you require outpatient oxygen therapy.**

Because each rating level lists its criteria with "or," meeting **any single** listed measurement or finding for a given level can support that rating.

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