Neoplasms, malignant, any specified part of respiratory system exclusive of skin growths DC 6819
VA rates it under diagnostic code 6819 in 38 CFR 4.97. Body system: Breathing & sleep.
Also searched as: lung cancer.
How VA rates it
The schedule has one rating level for this code: 100%.
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% | Neoplasms, malignant, any specified part of respiratory system exclusive of skin growths |
| 100% | Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.true |
Criteria text from 38 CFR 4.97, eCFR as of November 10, 2026. The eCFR is the official source if anything here differs.
Notes in the schedule (1)
Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.
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: Respiratory cancer of any type (lung, bronchus, trachea, larynx, pharynx, nose and sinuses). Most head and neck cancers of the airway are rated here.
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
Agent Orange and herbicides
Covered: Respiratory cancers, including lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea.
Who qualifies: Any length of service in Vietnam, on its inland waterways, or within 12 nautical miles offshore (January 9, 1962 to May 7, 1975); at a U.S. or Royal Thai base in Thailand (January 9, 1962 to June 30, 1976); in Laos (December 1, 1965 to September 30, 1969); at Mimot or Krek, Cambodia (April 16 to 30, 1969); on Guam or American Samoa or their waters (January 9, 1962 to July 31, 1980); on Johnston Atoll or a ship that called there (January 1, 1972 to September 30, 1977); in or near the Korean DMZ (September 1, 1967 to August 31, 1971); with regular duty on C-123 aircraft that carried Agent Orange; or handling, testing, or storing Agent Orange.
38 CFR 3.307(a)(6) and 3.309(e). Sources: 38 CFR 3.307; 38 CFR 3.309; VA.gov: Agent Orange exposure and disability compensation; VA.gov: The PACT Act and your VA benefits
Ionizing radiation (radiation-risk activities)
Covered: Lung, pharynx, and bronchiolo-alveolar cancer.
Who qualifies: On-site participation in an atmospheric or underwater nuclear test; occupation of Hiroshima or Nagasaki (August 6, 1945 to July 1, 1946); POW internment in Japan with comparable exposure; 250 days or more at the Paducah, Portsmouth, or Oak Ridge K-25 gaseous diffusion plants before February 1, 1992; Amchitka Island test duty before 1974; Enewetak Atoll cleanup (1977 to 1980); the Palomares, Spain response (January 17, 1966 to March 31, 1967); or the Thule, Greenland response (January 21 to September 25, 1968).
38 CFR 3.309(d). Sources: 38 CFR 3.309; 38 CFR 3.311 (other radiogenic diseases, decided case by case); VA.gov: Ionizing radiation exposure
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Rating schedule data as of November 10, 2026. Secondary and presumptive links checked November 13, 2026.
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