What happens during a C&P exam for Silicosis?

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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Silicosis

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Silicosis?

Silicosis (DC 6832) is rated at 100%, 60%, 30%, 10% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833). 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 Silicosis under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833) (DC 6832), a 100% rating for Silicosis 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 Silicosis under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833) (DC 6832), a 60% rating for Silicosis 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 rates 30% for Silicosis under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833) (DC 6832), a 30% rating for Silicosis requires: FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted

Q: What rates 10% for Silicosis under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833) (DC 6832), a 10% rating for Silicosis requires: FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted

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

Key evidence for a Silicosis 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 683238 C.F.R. § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)

Diagnostic Code

DC 6832

38 C.F.R. § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833)

Rating Range

10–100%

4 severity tiers

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Silicosis is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6832 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6832 (Pneumoconiosis (silicosis, anthracosis, etc.); General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, DCs 6825-6833) 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.

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

Overview

Occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of silica dust, causing progressive fibrosis

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.

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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