Body system: Respiratory SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.97
DC 6721 covers chronic pulmonary tuberculosis, far advanced and inactive, for veterans entitled to a rating on August 19, 1968. The 100% rating applies for the first two years after the disease became inactive; it then steps down to 50% for the next four years, 30% for the next five, and then 30% for far-advanced lesions, 20% for moderately advanced lesions with continued disability, or 0% otherwise (38 CFR 4.97). Veterans first rated after that date are rated under DCs 6730 and 6731 instead.
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 the four years after the two-year 100% period ends, that is, until six years after the date your tuberculosis became inactive. It is a time-based step of the formula, paid regardless of your current symptoms; after the six-year point the rating steps down to 30%.
- 30% — You receive this rating for the five years after the six-year point, that is, from six until eleven years after the date your tuberculosis became inactive. It is a time-based step of the formula; after eleven years the rating depends on the lesions found while the disease was active (far advanced lesions keep a 30% minimum) and on any continuing disability.
- 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 0% level applies when your far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis has been inactive for more than eleven years and none of the levels above fits: the 30% minimum for far advanced lesions and the 20% for moderately advanced lesions with continued disability both come first. In practice, 0% here means the disease was never shown to be far advanced while active and has left no continuing disability. Under 38 CFR 4.89 the 30% minimum after far advanced lesions stays as long as the condition is rated under this formula.
- Note — The ratings on this page are the protected, graduated schedule for veterans who were entitled to compensation for pulmonary tuberculosis on August 19, 1968. A veteran first rated after that date is rated under DC 6730 (active) and DC 6731 (inactive, on residuals) instead.
- Note — The 100% rating for inactive tuberculosis needs no prior hospital treatment; it drops to 50% if the veteran refuses examination or prescribed treatment, on the medical authorities' report.
- Note — The graduated 50% and 30% ratings and the permanent 30% and 20% ratings are not combined with ratings for other respiratory disabilities; after thoracoplasty the rating is for removal of ribs combined with collapsed lung.