---
title: "DC 6832 - Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.)"
diagnostic_code: "6832"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6832-pneumoconiosis-silicosis-anthracosis-etc"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:00.988204Z"
---

# DC 6832 - Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.)

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 |

# Pneumoconiosis (Silicosis, Anthracosis, etc.) — VA Disability Rating (Diagnostic Code 6832)

*Respiratory System · 38 CFR § 4.97 · Rated under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease*

## What This Condition Is

Pneumoconiosis is a group of lung conditions—including silicosis and anthracosis—that fall under diagnostic code 6832 in the VA's respiratory system rating schedule. The VA evaluates this condition using the **General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease**.

Because it affects the lungs, ratings are based largely on how well your lungs are functioning, measured through standardized pulmonary tests and clinical findings.

## How the VA Measures It

When rating pneumoconiosis, the VA looks at objective measures of lung function and related complications, including:

- **Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)** — expressed as a percentage of the predicted value
- **Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB))** — expressed as a percentage of the predicted value
- **Maximum exercise capacity** — measured in ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption, with cardiorespiratory limitation
- The presence of **cor pulmonale** or **pulmonary hypertension**
- Whether the condition **requires outpatient oxygen therapy**

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following rating percentages based on the criteria below.

### 100%
- 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%
- 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

---

*This information is drawn from the VA rating schedule (38 CFR § 4.97, diagnostic code 6832). It is provided for general educational purposes and describes the rating criteria only.*

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