Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease DC 6604
VA rates it under diagnostic code 6604 in 38 CFR 4.97. Body system: Breathing & sleep.
Also searched as: COPD.
How VA rates it
The schedule allows 4 rating levels for this code: 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100%. VA picks the level whose criteria best match your symptoms and records.
Source: 38 CFR 4.97 on eCFR. Read the full criteria there before you file.
Rating levels and criteria
| Rating | What the schedule says |
|---|---|
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value, or; the ratio of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second to Forced Vital Capacity (FEV-1/FVC) less than 40 percent, 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 cardiac or respiratory limitation), or; cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or; right ventricular hypertrophy, or; pulmonary hypertension (shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization), or; episode(s) of acute respiratory failure, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy. |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit) |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 56- to 65-percent predicted |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.97, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
DISEASES OF THE LUNGS AND PLEURA—TUBERCULOSIS
Ratings for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Entitled on August 19, 1968
Presumptive rules that include it
If your service matches one of these, VA presumes the link to service and you do not need a medical opinion connecting it.
Burn pits and airborne hazards (PACT Act)
Covered: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Who qualifies: Active duty on or after August 2, 1990 in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, or the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia; or on or after September 11, 2001 in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, or Yemen. The airspace above these places counts. Conditions can start any time after service.
38 CFR 3.320 and 38 U.S.C. 1119-1120. Sources: 38 CFR 3.320; VA.gov: Exposure to burn pits and other specific environmental hazards; VA.gov: Presumptive cancers related to burn pit exposure; VA.gov: The PACT Act and your VA benefits
Related medications
Medications prescribed for it
A prescription shows the condition was diagnosed. It still needs its own link to service.
Show 21 medications
- Aclidinium (Tudorza). FDA labels: Aclidinium (DailyMed)
- Albuterol and ipratropium (Combivent). FDA labels: Albuterol and ipratropium (DailyMed)
- Arformoterol (Brovana). FDA labels: Arformoterol (DailyMed)
- Budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort, Breyna). FDA labels: Budesonide and formoterol (DailyMed)
- Budesonide, formoterol and glycopyrrolate (Breztri). FDA labels: Budesonide, formoterol and glycopyrrolate (DailyMed)
- Dupilumab (Dupixent). FDA labels: Dupilumab (DailyMed)
- Ensifentrine (Ohtuvayre). FDA labels: Ensifentrine (DailyMed)
- Fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair, Wixela). FDA labels: Fluticasone and salmeterol (DailyMed)
- Fluticasone and vilanterol (Breo). FDA labels: Fluticasone and vilanterol (DailyMed)
- Fluticasone, umeclidinium and vilanterol (Trelegy). FDA labels: Fluticasone, umeclidinium and vilanterol (DailyMed)
- Formoterol (Perforomist). FDA labels: Formoterol (DailyMed)
- Formoterol and glycopyrrolate (Bevespi). FDA labels: Formoterol and glycopyrrolate (DailyMed)
- Ipratropium (Atrovent). FDA labels: Ipratropium (DailyMed)
- Olodaterol and tiotropium (Stiolto). FDA labels: Olodaterol and tiotropium (DailyMed)
- Revefenacin (Yupelri). FDA labels: Revefenacin (DailyMed)
- Roflumilast (Daliresp, Zoryve). FDA labels: Roflumilast (DailyMed)
- Salmeterol (Serevent). FDA labels: Salmeterol (DailyMed)
- Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin). FDA labels: Theophylline (DailyMed)
- Tiotropium (Spiriva). FDA labels: Tiotropium (DailyMed)
- Umeclidinium (Incruse). FDA labels: Umeclidinium (DailyMed)
- Umeclidinium and vilanterol (Anoro). FDA labels: Umeclidinium and vilanterol (DailyMed)
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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