§ 4.97 Schedule of ratings—respiratory system.

Asbestosis

Lung scarring caused by inhaling asbestos fibers that may lead to breathing difficulty.

What the rating means

Asbestosis is rated under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, which covers diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833. VA measures how much your lungs are affected using breathing test results and other clinical findings.

A 100% rating applies when your Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is less than 50% of the predicted value, your Diffusion Capacity (DLCO (SB)) is less than 40% predicted, your maximum exercise capacity is less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or you have cor pulmonale, pulmonary hypertension, or require outpatient oxygen therapy.

A 60% rating applies when FVC is 50 to 64% predicted, DLCO (SB) is 40 to 55% predicted, or maximum exercise capacity is 15 to 20 ml/kg/min with cardiorespiratory limitation. A 30% rating applies when FVC is 65 to 74% predicted or DLCO (SB) is 56 to 65% predicted. A 10% rating applies when FVC is 75 to 80% predicted or DLCO (SB) is 66 to 80% predicted.

Evidence that helps

The most important evidence for asbestosis is pulmonary function testing. Spirometry reports showing your FVC as a percentage of the predicted value, and DLCO (SB) tests measuring how well your lungs transfer gas into the blood, directly correspond to the rating levels. Make sure these test reports include the predicted values so the percentage can be calculated.

If you have been evaluated for exercise capacity, records showing your oxygen consumption in ml/kg/min and whether the limitation is cardiorespiratory in nature are relevant to the 60% and 100% levels. Records documenting cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, such as echocardiogram or right-heart catheterization results, support the 100% level. A prescription or treatment record showing you require outpatient oxygen therapy also supports that level.

Statements from you or people who know you describing how breathing difficulty affects your ability to work, walk, climb stairs, or carry out daily activities can help show the real-world impact of your test findings.

Secondary conditions

Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.

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What the rating means

Evidence that helps

Secondary conditions

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