Diagnostic code
Diagnostic Code 6602: Asthma / Bronchial Asthma Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.97
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Respiratory system
The VA rates Asthma / Bronchial Asthma under diagnostic code 6602 in 38 CFR § 4.97. The table below is the full set of rating criteria, from the schedule itself, with the evidence factors raters look for at each level.
DC 6602 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71-80 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 71-80 percent, or intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy What raters look formild airflow limitation; intermittent inhaler |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56-70 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 56-70 percent, or daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication What raters look fordaily inhaler; moderate limitation |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40-55 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC of 40-55 percent, or at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic corticosteroids What raters look formonthly physician visits; 3+ steroid courses/year; severe limitation |
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or requires daily use of systemic high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications What raters look forvery severe; weekly attacks; daily systemic steroids; immunosuppressants |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Asthma. The Asthma condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Asthma appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 577 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals cases with Asthma as the primary issue. The Asthma condition page has the full breakdown, including which evidence types are associated with better outcomes.
Method: outcomes are coded per case from the Board's published decisions, rolled up as granted (including partial grants), denied, or remanded, excluding dismissals. The dataset codes the condition on appeal, not the diagnostic code, so these numbers describe Asthma appeals generally rather than DC 6602 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6602?
Diagnostic code 6602 is the VA rating schedule entry for Asthma / Bronchial Asthma, found in 38 CFR § 4.97. The VA assigns this code when it rates the condition and applies the criteria listed on this page.
What ratings are possible under DC 6602?
DC 6602 provides ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, 100%. The percentage depends on which criteria your medical evidence documents, not on the diagnosis alone.
What does the highest rating under DC 6602 require?
The 100% rating for Asthma / Bronchial Asthma requires: FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or requires daily use of systemic high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications.