The VA rating for COPD depends on the severity of your symptoms. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructive air flow to and from the lungs. COPD symptoms include frequent respiratory infections, tightness of the chest, wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
COPD is a progressive condition, which means your symptoms could worsen over time, from 10% to 30%, 60% or 100%. Because your VA disability rating for COPD can directly impact your monthly compensation and access to critical healthcare benefits, it’s important to work with an experienced veterans disability lawyer.
The attorneys at VetLaw understand how the VA evaluates respiratory conditions and can help ensure your medical evidence and documentation fully reflect the severity of your COPD. We can help you pursue the highest possible rating you deserve.
Understanding COPD
COPD is a general term used to describe a variety of progressive lung conditions that block airflow and cause breathing-related issues. There are several distinct respiratory conditions that the VA recognizes and rates under the COPD umbrella:
- Chronic Bronchitis (Diagnostic Code 6600)
- Bronchiectasis (Diagnostic Code 6601)
- Asthma (Diagnostic Code 6602)
- Pulmonary Emphysema (Diagnostic Code 6603)
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Diagnostic Code 6604)
COPD in Veterans
COPD is generally a result of long-term exposure to particulate matter or irritating gases, which is why it is so common among veterans. The nature of military life can expose service members to environmental toxins and explosions (which produce dangerous airborne particulates) more than the average person, placing them at higher risk of developing serious respiratory conditions. According to a recent VA study, nearly 14% of veterans from the Gulf War era have some form of respiratory problem, one of the most common being COPD.
A number of airborne hazards can affect veterans during service, including exposure to:
- Chemical fumes
- Diesel exhaust
- Asbestos
- Dust & debris
- Burn Pits
Burn Pit Exposure and COPD
Veterans who were exposed to burn pits while in service have a higher risk of developing COPD. According to the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT Act), the Department of Veterans Affairs presumes that your military service caused your COPD if you were exposed to burn pits.
The VA also presumes that you had burn pit exposure if you served in specific locations at specific times, notably:
- Kuwait, Iraq, or Bahrain on or after August 2, 1990
- Jordan, Egypt, or Afghanistan (among others) on or after September 11, 2001
How Does the VA Rate COPD?
The VA uses results from respiratory functioning tests to rate COPD, including Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV-1), the ratio of FEV-1 to Forced Vital Capacity (FCV), the Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)), and exercise testing.
FEV-1: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
FEV-1 reflects the maximum amount of air that you can exhale in one second. Your FEV-1 is measured against the FEV-1 for a normal person of your age and size.
FCV: Forced Vital Capacity
FCV refers to the total amount of air that you can exhale after taking in one full breath. Like FEV-1, it is the percentage compared to someone of your size and age.
DLCO (SB): Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method
DLCO (SB) checks how well your lungs move oxygen from the air you breathe into your bloodstream. During the test, you briefly inhale a small, harmless amount of carbon monoxide. The test then measures how much of that gas your lungs absorb. This measurement is then measured against that of a normal, average person.
Exercise Testing
Exercise testing determines how much oxygen you use when you are performing the maximum amount of physical activity that you can repeat and sustain. This measure is expressed in the amount of oxygen used by your body weight per minute.
The VA Ratings for COPD
The VA rates COPD under 38 C.F.R. 4.97, diagnostic code 6604. Ratings range from 10% to 100% disabling and are intended to compensate veterans for the lack of earning capacity caused by their condition.
10% VA rating for COPD
- FEV-1 of 71 to 80% predicted, or;
- FEV01/FVC of 71 to 80% or;
- DLCO (SB) of 66 to 80% predicted
30% VA rating for COPD
- FEV-1 of 56 to 70% predicted, or;
- FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70%, or;
- DLCO (SB) of 56 to 65% predicted
60% VA rating for COPD
- A FEV-1 of 40 to 55% predicted, or;
- FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55%, or; DLCO (SB) of 4 to 55% predicted, or;
- Maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min (with cardiorespiratory limit)
100% VA rating for COPD
- FEV-1 less than 40% predicted
- FEV-1/FVC less than 40%
- DLCO (SB) less than 40% predicted
- Require outpatient oxygen therapy
- Episodes of acute respiratory failure
- Pulmonary hypertension shown by Echo or cardiac catheterization
- Right ventricular hypertrophy
- Right heart failure
- Maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption
Veterans can only be rated for one respiratory condition. For example, if you have COPD and asthma and you believe both were caused by military service, you can only get VA disability benefits for one of your conditions.
Talk to a VA Benefits Lawyer for FREE
COPD can have a significant impact on your health and quality of life. Determining your rating on your own can be complicated and confusing. If you need to know more about the VA rating for COPD and how it applies to your situation, VetLaw is here to help. Our experienced VA-accredited attorneys have extensive experience helping veterans recover the benefits they deserve for COPD.
Contact VetLaw today online or at (336) 355-8387 for a FREE case evaluation with an experienced VA Benefits Lawyer.
