---
title: "DC 6835 - Coccidioidomycosis"
diagnostic_code: "6835"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6835-coccidioidomycosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:01.276090Z"
---

# DC 6835 - Coccidioidomycosis

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.

# Coccidioidomycosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6835)

Understanding how the VA rates coccidioidomycosis — a fungal lung condition — under the disability rating schedule.

## What Is Coccidioidomycosis?

Coccidioidomycosis is a mycotic (fungal) lung disease affecting the **respiratory system**. The VA rates it under **§ 4.97**, Diagnostic Code **6835**, using the **General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease**.

This condition has an incubation period of up to 21 days. The disseminated phase is ordinarily seen within six months of the primary phase — but there are instances where dissemination has been delayed for many years after the initial infection, which may have gone unrecognized.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the nature and severity of the condition:

| Rating | What It Reflects |
|--------|------------------|
| **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 |

## What the VA Looks For

When evaluating coccidioidomycosis, the VA considers factors such as:

- **Whether the mycosis is chronic and active**, or whether lesions are healed and inactive.
- **The presence of significant symptoms** — persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis point toward the highest rating.
- **Whether suppressive therapy is required**, along with the level of remaining symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough.
- **The overall symptom burden**, distinguishing minimal symptoms from more severe manifestations.

### A Note on Service Connection

When service connection is being considered and there is no record or other evidence of the disease during service, the deciding factor is service in the **southwestern United States**, where the disease is endemic, combined with the **absence of prolonged residence** in that locality before or after service.

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