Body system: Respiratory SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.97
This covers chronic, far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) that's now inactive, meaning the infection isn't actively spreading but has left significant lung damage. The VA uses a time-based rating system that starts high and decreases over time as you stabilize. Ratings range from 100% for severe complications like pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in lung arteries) down to 0% for cases with minimal ongoing effects.
Rating levels
- 100% — If you had active tuberculosis (TB infection in your lungs) that was diagnosed either during your military service or after you left the service, you automatically qualify for this rating for a full two years after your TB becomes inactive (meaning the infection is no longer spreading or getting worse). This applies specifically to cases where the TB was "far advanced" before becoming inactive, meaning it had caused significant damage to your lungs before treatment got it under control.
- 50% — You receive this rating for a period of four to six years after your advanced tuberculosis becomes inactive (meaning the infection is no longer actively spreading or causing symptoms). During this time, even though your TB is considered inactive, you still qualify for this rating level because of the serious lung damage that typically remains from having far advanced tuberculosis. After this four to six year period ends, VA will re-evaluate your condition to determine if you need a different rating based on any remaining breathing problems or lung function issues.
- 30% — You can receive this rating for tuberculosis that was once far advanced (had spread significantly through your lungs) but is now inactive (no longer actively spreading or causing symptoms) for a specific time period. The rating applies from five years after your TB became inactive, and continues until eleven years after it became inactive. This covers the middle period of your recovery when doctors are still monitoring you to make sure the disease doesn't return, even though you're no longer actively sick.
- 30% — You had severe tuberculosis that spread extensively throughout your lungs (far advanced lesions) at some point when the disease was still active and causing damage. Even though your tuberculosis is now inactive and not currently spreading, you automatically qualify for this rating level as the minimum because of how severe the disease was when it was active, regardless of your current symptoms.
- 20% — You qualify for this rating if you previously had moderately advanced tuberculosis lesions (damaged areas in your lungs) and you still have ongoing health problems from that damage. This includes having emphysema (damaged air sacs in your lungs), getting short of breath when you exercise or do physical activities, and experiencing overall poor health or weakness that affects your daily life.
- 0% — This applies when you have chronic, far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis (TB that has severely damaged large areas of your lungs) that is currently inactive (not spreading or getting worse), but your condition doesn't meet the specific criteria for higher disability ratings. You have significant lung damage from past TB infection, but the disease itself is not currently active or causing new symptoms that would qualify for a higher rating level.