What are the VA rating percentages for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)?

Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) (DC 6835) is rated at 100%, 50%, 30%, 0% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835. Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis

What rates 100% for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835 (DC 6835), a 100% rating for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) requires: Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis

What rates 30% for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835 (DC 6835), a 30% rating for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) requires: Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough

What rates 0% for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835 (DC 6835), a 0% rating for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) requires: Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic

What happens during a C&P exam for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)?

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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Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)

Q: What rates 50% for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835 (DC 6835), a 50% rating for Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) requires: Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough

Q: What evidence do I need for a Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) 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 683538 C.F.R. § 4.97

Diagnostic Code

DC 6835

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Rating Range

0–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6835 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6835 across 4 severity tiers (100% / 50% / 30% / 0%). 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.

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

Overview

Fungal lung infection caused by Coccidioides, endemic in the southwestern U.S. desert

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

Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic

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.

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.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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