---
title: "DC 6834 - Histoplasmosis of lung"
diagnostic_code: "6834"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6834-histoplasmosis-of-lung"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:01.168205Z"
---

# DC 6834 - Histoplasmosis of lung

Rated under § 4.97. Body system: Respiratory System.

General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839)

## Rating criteria

| Rating | Criteria |
| --- | --- |
| 100% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis |
| 50% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough |
| 30% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough |
| 0% | Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic |

## Notes

- Note: Coccidioidomycosis has an incubation period up to 21 days, and the disseminated phase is ordinarily manifest within six months of the primary phase. However, there are instances of dissemination delayed up to many years after the initial infection which may have been unrecognized. Accordingly, when service connection is under consideration in the absence of record or other evidence of the disease in service, service in southwestern United States where the disease is endemic and absence of prolonged residence in this locality before or after service will be the deciding factor.

# Histoplasmosis of Lung (VA Diagnostic Code 6834)

**Understanding how the VA rates chronic fungal lung disease under the respiratory system schedule.**

## What This Condition Is

Histoplasmosis of the lung is a mycotic (fungal) lung disease. Under the VA rating schedule, it is evaluated in the **Respiratory System** category (**§ 4.97**, Diagnostic Code **6834**) using the **General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease**.

The way the VA assigns a disability rating depends on how active the disease is, the severity of symptoms, and whether ongoing treatment is needed.

## Available Rating Levels

The following rating levels are used for this condition:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
| --- | --- |
| **100%** | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis (coughing up blood). |
| **50%** | Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms, such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough. |
| **30%** | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms, such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough. |
| **0%** | Healed and inactive mycotic lesions that are asymptomatic. |

## What the VA Looks For

When rating this condition, the VA considers:

- **Symptom severity** — including persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or hemoptysis (coughing up blood) at the highest level, versus only minimal symptoms like occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough at lower levels.
- **Whether the disease is chronic and active** versus healed, inactive, and asymptomatic.
- **Whether suppressive therapy is required** to manage the condition, which distinguishes the 50% level from the 30% level.

### Note on Related Fungal Conditions and Service Connection

The rating schedule includes an important note on how these fungal lung diseases relate to service:

> Coccidioidomycosis has an incubation period up to 21 days, and the disseminated phase is ordinarily manifest within six months of the primary phase. However, there are instances of dissemination delayed up to many years after the initial infection which may have been unrecognized. Accordingly, when service connection is under consideration in the absence of record or other evidence of the disease in service, service in southwestern United States where the disease is endemic and absence of prolonged residence in this locality before or after service will be the deciding factor.

---

*This information is drawn directly from the VA rating schedule for Diagnostic Code 6834, § 4.97. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any particular rating outcome.*

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