---
title: "DC 6838 - Aspergillosis"
diagnostic_code: "6838"
body_system: "Respiratory System"
cfr_section: "§ 4.97"
canonical: "https://veteranai.co/va-rating-schedule/respiratory/6838-aspergillosis"
source: "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/section-4.97"
updated: "2026-07-21T18:20:01.610610Z"
---

# DC 6838 - Aspergillosis

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.

# Aspergillosis (VA Diagnostic Code 6838)

**Understanding how the VA rates chronic mycotic lung disease under 38 CFR § 4.97.**

## What Is Aspergillosis?

Aspergillosis is a mycotic (fungal) lung disease affecting the **respiratory system**. Under the VA rating schedule, it falls under **Diagnostic Code 6838** and is evaluated using the **General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease**, found in **§ 4.97**.

Because it is a chronic pulmonary mycosis, the VA looks at how active the disease is and what symptoms it produces — ranging from healed, inactive lesions with no symptoms, all the way to serious, persistent illness.

## Available Rating Levels

The VA assigns one of the following disability ratings based on the severity and activity 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 aspergillosis, the VA focuses on the presence, severity, and activity of pulmonary symptoms, including:

- **Persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis** — associated with the highest (100%) rating.
- **Whether the condition requires suppressive therapy** — a key factor at the 50% level, even when symptoms remain minimal.
- **Minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis (coughing up blood) or productive cough** — considered at the 30% and 50% levels.
- **Whether lesions are healed and inactive** — a fully asymptomatic, healed presentation corresponds to the 0% rating.

## A Note on Related Endemic Fungal Disease

The rating formula includes an important note relevant to service connection for related mycotic lung disease:

> 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 the 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.

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*This information summarizes the VA rating criteria for Diagnostic Code 6838 (Aspergillosis) under 38 CFR § 4.97. It is provided for general educational purposes and does not guarantee any specific rating outcome.*

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