Body system: Respiratory SystemRegulation: 38 CFR § 4.97
This rating covers tuberculosis (TB) in your lungs that's now inactive, meaning the infection isn't actively spreading but may have left scarring or damage. The VA uses a time-based rating system that starts high and decreases over time since your TB became inactive. You'll get 100% for the first two years after inactivity, then 50% for the next four years, with long-term ratings of 0-30% depending on how advanced your TB was and what lasting effects remain.
Rating levels
- 100% — You automatically qualify for this rating if you had active tuberculosis (a serious lung infection) that was diagnosed either during your military service or after you got out, and the disease is now inactive (no longer spreading or getting worse). This automatic rating lasts for exactly two years from the date when doctors determined your tuberculosis became inactive, regardless of how well you feel or what symptoms you may or may not have.
- 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 applies to chronic inactive pulmonary tuberculosis whose advancement was not specified, regardless of your current symptoms. After the six-year point the rating steps down to the next level.
- 30% — You receive this rating for the five years after the six-year point, that is, until eleven years after the date your tuberculosis became inactive. It applies to chronic inactive pulmonary tuberculosis whose advancement was not specified, as a time-based step of the formula, not because of any particular current symptom. After eleven years the rating depends on the lesions that were found while the disease was active 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% — You have chronic inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (TB that affected your lungs but is no longer active or spreading) that doesn't meet the specific criteria for higher disability ratings. This covers situations where your TB is considered stable and controlled, but the VA hasn't specified exactly how much it has progressed or what your current functional limitations are.
- 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.