What rates 30% for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825 (DC 6825), a 30% rating for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) requires: FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted

What rates 10% for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825 (DC 6825), a 10% rating for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) requires: FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted

What secondary conditions are linked to Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic)?

Common secondary conditions for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) include Pulmonary Hypertension, Cor Pulmonale, Depression, GERD. 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 Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic)?

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 Fibrosis (Idiopathic)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic)?

Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) (DC 6825) is rated at 100%, 60%, 30%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, 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 cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy

Q: What rates 100% for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825 (DC 6825), a 100% rating for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) requires: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, 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 cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy

Q: What rates 60% for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825 (DC 6825), a 60% rating for Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) requires: FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

Q: What evidence do I need for a Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) 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 682538 C.F.R. § 4.97

Diagnostic Code

DC 6825

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Rating Range

10–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Pulmonary Fibrosis (Idiopathic) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6825 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6825 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 Pulmonary Hypertension or Cor Pulmonale under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.

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

Overview

Progressive scarring of lung tissue causing restrictive lung disease and impaired gas exchange

Rating Criteria

100%

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50-percent predicted, 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 cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy

60%

FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation

30%

FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted

10%

FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted

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

Pulmonary HypertensionMODERATE

Fibrotic changes increase vascular resistance

Cor PulmonaleMODERATE

Right heart strain from lung disease

DepressionMODERATE

Progressive disease with poor prognosis

GERDMODERATE

Microaspiration contributes to fibrosis

More in Respiratory

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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.
CLAIMRECON 2026

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