Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive
The VA rates Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive under Diagnostic Code 6721 across 4 severity levels, from 0% to 50%. The 50% maximum means additional ratings through secondary conditions or combined ratings are critical for higher compensation.
Rating schedule — DC 6721 at a glance
- Minimum rating
- 0%
- Maximum rating
- 50%
- Rating tiers
- 4
- CFR section
- § 4.97
- Body system
- Respiratory System
- Secondary conditions
- 0
Lowest schedular rating available
TDIU may raise effective compensation to 100%
0%, 10%, 30%, 50%
Part 4 rating schedule
None mapped
What are the VA rating criteria for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 0% | Detected by X-ray only Note: Via General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514): |
| 10% | One or two incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting Note: Via General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514): |
| 30% | Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting Note: Via General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514): |
| 50% | Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries Note: Via General Rating Formula for Sinusitis (DC's 6510 through 6514): |
“Three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged (lasting four to six weeks) antibiotic treatment, or; more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting”
Common Questions About Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive VA Ratings
What is the VA rating range for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
The VA rates Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive under Diagnostic Code 6721 at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%. The minimum 0% rating requires: Detected by X-ray only. The maximum 50% rating requires: Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries.
Which 38 CFR diagnostic code does the VA use for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
The VA rates Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive under Diagnostic Code (DC) 6721, 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 50% rating for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
A 0% rating requires: Detected by X-ray only. A 50% rating requires: Following radical surgery with chronic osteomyelitis, or; near constant sinusitis characterized by headaches, pain and tenderness of affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgeries. The difference typically reflects the frequency, severity, or functional impact of the condition as documented in medical records and C&P examination findings.
Can Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive qualify for TDIU?
Possibly. Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive maxes at 50%, which doesn't meet the single-disability TDIU threshold of 60% alone. However, if combined with other service-connected disabilities totaling 70%+ (with one at 40%+), TDIU under 38 CFR § 4.16(a) may apply. Extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is also available if the condition alone prevents work regardless of rating.
What evidence supports a higher rating for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
The key evidence for Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive 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 Tuberculosis, pulmonary, chronic, far advanced, inactive?
The C&P examiner uses a Respiratory System DBQ and evaluates your condition against the DC 6721 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.
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