---
title: "DC 6833 - Asbestosis"
diagnostic_code: "6833"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6833-asbestosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:01.080746Z"
---

# DC 6833 - Asbestosis

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 |

# Asbestosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6833)

**Understanding how the VA rates asbestosis under the respiratory system schedule.**

## What Is Asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a condition affecting the **respiratory system**. Under the VA rating schedule, it is evaluated using **Diagnostic Code 6833** within **§ 4.97**, and it is rated according to the **General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease**.

## How the VA Measures It

When rating asbestosis, the VA looks at objective measures of lung function. The primary measurements used in the rating formula include:

- **Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)** — expressed as a percent of the predicted value
- **Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB))** — expressed as a percent of the predicted value
- **Maximum exercise capacity** — measured in ml/kg/min oxygen consumption, considered alongside cardiorespiratory limitation

The VA also considers certain serious findings, such as **cor pulmonale**, **pulmonary hypertension**, or a **requirement for outpatient oxygen therapy**.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the criteria met:

### 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

## What This Means

The rating level reflects the degree of impairment shown by these lung function measurements and related findings. Because the formula allows a rating to be met by any one of several listed criteria at a given level, the VA reviews each applicable measurement when evaluating the condition.

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