What secondary conditions are linked to Bronchial Asthma?

Common secondary conditions for Bronchial Asthma include GERD, Sleep Apnea, Chronic Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Anxiety Disorder. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Bronchial Asthma?

Most lung ratings turn on pulmonary function tests (38 CFR 4.97) - request a PFT measuring FEV-1, the FEV-1/FVC ratio, and DLCO. Under 38 CFR 4.96, post-bronchodilator values are used for rating - make sure your PFT includes the post-bronchodilator results.

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Bronchial Asthma

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Bronchial Asthma?

Bronchial Asthma (DC 6602) is rated at 100%, 60%, 30%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602. FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications

Q: What rates 100% for Bronchial Asthma under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 (DC 6602), a 100% rating for Bronchial Asthma requires: FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications

Q: What rates 60% for Bronchial Asthma under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 (DC 6602), a 60% rating for Bronchial Asthma requires: FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids

Q: What rates 30% for Bronchial Asthma under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 (DC 6602), a 30% rating for Bronchial Asthma requires: FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication

Q: What rates 10% for Bronchial Asthma under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 (DC 6602), a 10% rating for Bronchial Asthma requires: FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy

Q: What evidence do I need for a Bronchial Asthma VA claim?

Key evidence for a Bronchial Asthma claim includes: Pulmonary function test (PFT) report with FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, and DLCO, including post-bronchodilator values; Pulmonology treatment records and the diagnosis confirming the respiratory condition; Documentation of outpatient oxygen therapy, if required; Records of systemic corticosteroid courses and physician visits for exacerbations (asthma); Hospital/ER records for any episode of acute respiratory failure. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 660238 C.F.R. § 4.97

Diagnostic Code

DC 6602

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Rating Range

10–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Bronchial Asthma is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6602 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 60% / 30% / 10%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to GERD or Sleep Apnea under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Chronic airway inflammation causing breathing difficulty, wheezing, and bronchospasm

Rating Criteria

100%

FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications

60%

FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids

30%

FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication

10%

FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy

Key Evidence

—Pulmonary function test (PFT) report with FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, and DLCO, including post-bronchodilator values

—Pulmonology treatment records and the diagnosis confirming the respiratory condition

—Documentation of outpatient oxygen therapy, if required

—Records of systemic corticosteroid courses and physician visits for exacerbations (asthma)

—Hospital/ER records for any episode of acute respiratory failure

—Complete list of inhalers, nebulizers, and respiratory medications

C&P Exam Tips

1Most lung ratings turn on pulmonary function tests (38 CFR 4.97) - request a PFT measuring FEV-1, the FEV-1/FVC ratio, and DLCO.

2Under 38 CFR 4.96, post-bronchodilator values are used for rating - make sure your PFT includes the post-bronchodilator results.

3If a test result differs from how you actually function, the examiner can rely on the test that best reflects your disability - explain your real-world breathing limits.

4For asthma, the frequency of systemic corticosteroid courses and physician visits for exacerbations can drive the rating - document every steroid burst and exacerbation visit.

5If you require outpatient oxygen therapy, say so plainly - it supports a 100% evaluation regardless of PFT numbers.

6Report your worst days and how shortness of breath limits work, walking, and daily activity; bring your inhaler/oxygen equipment list.

Secondary Conditions

GERDMODERATE

Asthma medications relax LES; coughing increases reflux

Sleep ApneaMODERATE

Airway inflammation affects nighttime breathing

Chronic SinusitisMODERATE

United airways disease - inflammation affects both

Allergic RhinitisMODERATE

Shared allergic pathways

Anxiety DisorderMODERATE

Fear of attacks and breathing difficulties

Major Depressive DisorderMODERATE

Chronic disease burden and limitations

Vocal Cord DysfunctionMODERATE

Can develop from chronic airway hyperreactivity

OsteoporosisMODERATE

Long-term corticosteroid use weakens bones

Adrenal InsufficiencyMODERATE

Long-term steroid use suppresses adrenal function

CataractsMODERATE

Corticosteroid side effect

AnxietyMODERATE

Fear of asthma attacks

SinusitisMODERATE

Unified airway inflammation

Sleep DisordersMODERATE

Nocturnal symptoms disrupt sleep

More in Respiratory

Bronchiectasis Burn Pit / PACT Act Exposure Burn Pit / Toxic Exposure Cancer of the Larynx Central Sleep Apnea Central Sleep Apnea Chronic Bronchitis Chronic Bronchitis All Respiratory conditions →All conditions →

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.97 (Respiratory system). Source verified 2026-06-04 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.97 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
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Overview

Rating Criteria

Key Evidence

C&P Exam Tips

Secondary Conditions

More in Respiratory

Tools

Sources & Editorial

Linked to 501 Military Occupations

Overview

Rating Criteria

Key Evidence

C&P Exam Tips

Secondary Conditions

More in Respiratory

Tools

Sources & Editorial

Linked to 501 Military Occupations