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 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% — 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.