EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.
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Tuberculosis (Pulmonary)
✓ VERIFIED AGAINST 38 C.F.R.§ 4.97 (Respiratory system) · reviewed 2026-05-27 · ClaimRecon Editorial Team
Tuberculosis (Pulmonary) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6731 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6731 across 1 severity tier (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.
OVERVIEW
Bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Veterans may have been exposed during deployment to endemic areas. Active TB requires months of multi-drug therapy. Latent TB may reactivate years later.
RATING CRITERIA (1 LEVELS)
0%
Per § 4.97 DC 6731 verbatim: "Depending on the specific findings, rate residuals as interstitial lung disease, restrictive lung disease, or, when obstructive lung disease is the major residual, as chronic bronchitis (DC 6600). Rate thoracoplasty as removal of ribs under DC 5297." DC 6731 has no own tier schedule — rate under the appropriate downstream DC based on the predominant residual.
KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER
-Service treatment records
-Current medical diagnosis and treatment records
-Buddy/lay statements
-Prescription history
-Employment impact documentation
-Any relevant diagnostic testing
C&P EXAM TIPS (5)
1.Bring all relevant medical records and a written list of symptoms.
2.Report your worst days, not your best. The VA rates based on overall impairment.
3.Document how the condition affects daily activities, work, and relationships.
4.Mention all medications and their side effects.
5.Bring buddy statements from people who observe your symptoms.
SOURCES & EDITORIAL
Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.97 (Respiratory system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team during a regulation-text comparison against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.
EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026