Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc
The VA rates Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc under Diagnostic Code 6843 across 4 severity levels, from 0% to 100%. At 100%, veterans receive $3939/month or more in compensation.
Rating schedule — DC 6843 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 100%
- Rating tiers
- 4
- CFR section
- § 4.97
- Body system
- Respiratory System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
Full schedular disability
0%, 30%, 50%, 100%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic Note: Via General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839): |
| 30% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough Note: Via General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839): |
| 50% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough Note: Via General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839): |
| 100% | Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis Note: Via General Rating Formula for Mycotic Lung Disease (diagnostic codes 6834 through 6839): |
“Chronic pulmonary mycosis requiring suppressive therapy with no more than minimal symptoms such as occasional minor hemoptysis or productive cough”
Common Questions About Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
The VA rates Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc under Diagnostic Code 6843 at 0%, 30%, 50%, 100%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic. The maximum 100% rating requires: Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
The VA rates Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6843, governed by 38 CFR 38 CFR § 4.97. The diagnostic code establishes the specific rating tiers and severity criteria the VA examiner applies.
What is the difference between a 0% and a 100% rating for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
A 0% rating requires: Healed and inactive mycotic lesions, asymptomatic. A 100% rating requires: Chronic pulmonary mycosis with persistent fever, weight loss, night sweats, or massive hemoptysis. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc qualify for TDIU?
Yes — a 100% rating for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc alone meets the single-disability threshold for TDIU (38 CFR § 4.16). If the condition prevents substantially gainful employment, the veteran is compensated at the 100% rate without a schedular 100% rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
The key evidence for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc is documentation of how the condition affects daily functioning. Treatment records showing worsening symptoms, functional limitations documented by your provider, and buddy statements describing observable impact on daily life all strengthen the claim. A nexus letter from a qualified medical professional linking the current severity to service is essential for contested claims.
What happens at the C&P exam for Traumatic chest wall defect, pneumothorax, hernia, etc?
The C&P examiner uses a Respiratory System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 6843 rating criteria. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) drive the rating. The examiner measures FEV-1, FVC, and DLCO. Test during symptomatic periods when possible — stable periods produce higher numbers that may underrate your condition.
Get a Personalized Rating Analysis
VeteranHQ evaluates your symptoms against the exact 38 CFR criteria, identifies secondary conditions, and shows what evidence you need to support a higher rating.
Discover Your Benefits