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?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Bronchial Asthma

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

Bronchial Asthma (DC 6602) is rated at 10%, 30%, 60%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6602. 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 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 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 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 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 evidence do I need for a Bronchial Asthma VA claim?

Key evidence for a Bronchial Asthma claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. 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

Referenced

38 C.F.R. Part 4

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 (10% / 30% / 60% / 100%). 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

05Secondary 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

Tools

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

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.

View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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