Diagnostic code
Diagnostic Code 6825: Diffuse Interstitial Fibrosis (Pulmonary Fibrosis) Rating Criteria
- CFR section
- 38 CFR § 4.97
- Rating range
- 10% to 100%
- Rating levels
- 4
- Body system
- Respiratory system
The VA rates Diffuse Interstitial Fibrosis (Pulmonary Fibrosis) under diagnostic code 6825 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 6825 rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | FVC of 75- to 80-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of 66- to 80-percent predicted |
| 30% | FVC of 65- to 74-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted |
| 60% | FVC of 50- to 64-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation |
| 100% | FVC less than 50-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) less than 40-percent predicted, or maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or requires outpatient oxygen therapy |
Condition guide
The rating criteria are only part of the picture for Pulmonary Fibrosis. The Pulmonary Fibrosis condition page covers service connection, common evidence problems, secondary conditions, and Board outcome patterns in depth.
What happens to Pulmonary Fibrosis appeals at the Board
Claim Raven's analysis of 301 decided Board of Veterans' Appeals cases with Pulmonary Fibrosis as the primary issue. The Pulmonary Fibrosis 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 Pulmonary Fibrosis appeals generally rather than DC 6825 specifically. Board outcomes describe appealed claims, not initial decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is VA diagnostic code 6825?
Diagnostic code 6825 is the VA rating schedule entry for Diffuse Interstitial Fibrosis (Pulmonary Fibrosis), 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 6825?
DC 6825 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 6825 require?
The 100% rating for Diffuse Interstitial Fibrosis requires: FVC less than 50-percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) less than 40-percent predicted, or maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or requires outpatient oxygen therapy.
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