Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (DC 7715)

Rating levels

• 100% — You qualify for this rating if you currently have active Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is spreading or getting worse, if you are currently receiving treatment like chemotherapy or radiation, or if you have a slow-growing type that hasn't spread to nearby areas (indolent and non-contiguous low grade). This covers situations where the cancer is either actively being treated or is present but growing slowly in isolated areas of your body.
• -1% — The 100% rating for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma continues for TWO YEARS after all treatment ends — a longer window than most VA cancer codes (which use 6 months) because of NHL's wide range of behaviors from aggressive (DLBCL, Burkitt's) to indolent (follicular, marginal zone, CLL/SLL) and the higher likelihood of relapse beyond six months. Treatment phases include chemotherapy (R-CHOP, R-EPOCH, R-bendamustine, R-CVP), radiation, immunotherapy (rituximab, obinutuzumab, polatuzumab, CAR-T such as axicabtagene or tisagenlecleucel), targeted therapy (ibrutinib, idelalisib, venetoclax), and stem-cell transplant (autologous or allogeneic). The 100% also explicitly covers periods of indolent, non-contiguous low-grade NHL even outside active treatment, recognizing that observation ('watch and wait') is itself a recognized management strategy. At the two-year mark, VA must schedule a mandatory examination. If there has been no recurrence, the rating is based on residuals under their own diagnostic codes. Common NHL-treatment residuals: anthracycline cardiomyopathy (DC 7020), vincristine peripheral neuropathy (DCs 8520-8540), rituximab-related hypogammaglobulinemia and recurrent infection, secondary malignancy from alkylators or radiation (rated under primary site), CAR-T-related cytokine-release-syndrome or ICANS neurologic residuals, chronic GVHD after allogeneic transplant, hypothyroidism from neck radiation (DC 7903), pulmonary fibrosis from chest radiation or bleomycin (DC 6825), and infertility. Residuals combine under 38 CFR § 4.25 subject to anti-pyramiding rules of § 4.14. Any reduction in the 100% rating is protected by the due-process requirements of 38 CFR § 3.105(e) — VA must notify you 60 days before reduction with reasons and your right to a hearing. If the lymphoma recurs at any time, the 100% rating resumes from the date of recurrence and the two-year clock resets after treatment ends again.