Radiation-induced lung inflammation and scarring

Radiation-induced pulmonary pneumonitis and fibrosis is rated under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, which covers diagnostic codes 6825 through 6833. VA uses the results of breathing tests and other clinical findings to assign a rating of 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%.

The 10% rating applies when your Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is 75 to 80 percent of the predicted value, or your Diffusion Capacity (DLCO SB) is 66 to 80 percent of predicted. The 30% rating applies when FVC is 65 to 74 percent predicted, or DLCO SB is 56 to 65 percent predicted. The 60% rating applies when FVC is 50 to 64 percent predicted, or DLCO SB is 40 to 55 percent predicted, or your maximum exercise oxygen consumption is 15 to 20 ml/kg/min with cardiorespiratory limitation.

The 100% rating applies when FVC is below 50 percent predicted, or DLCO SB is below 40 percent predicted, or maximum exercise oxygen consumption is below 15 ml/kg/min with cardiorespiratory limitation, or you have cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or you require outpatient oxygen therapy. A single qualifying finding at any level is enough to reach that rating.