Bronchial Asthma

DC 6602Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6602

A lung condition that makes it hard to breathe because your airways narrow and swell. The VA rates asthma based on lung function tests (FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC ratio) or how much medication you need.

Rating Levels

Your lung function tests show FEV-1 less than 40 percent predicted, or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or you have more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or you require daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications.

What the VA looks for

FEV-1 less than 40% predicted
FEV-1/FVC ratio less than 40%
More than one attack per week with respiratory failure
Daily systemic high-dose corticosteroids
Daily immunosuppressive medications
Hospitalizations for respiratory failure

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a pulmonary function test (PFT) before and after bronchodilator use — the VA uses your post-bronchodilator results unless the pre-bronchodilator results are more favorable to you.
⚠Forgetting to document medication use — daily inhaler use versus intermittent use makes the difference between 10% and 30%. Bring your medication list.
⚠Not tracking emergency room visits and steroid courses — the 60% rating requires documentation of at least three courses of oral or IV steroids per year or monthly physician visits.
⚠Missing secondary connections — asthma can be secondary to environmental exposures during service (burn pits, chemical exposure) or aggravated by GERD.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Respiratory Conditions (other than Tuberculosis and Sleep Apnea)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

FEV-1 less than 40% predicted
FEV-1/FVC ratio less than 40%
More than one attack per week with respiratory failure
Daily systemic high-dose corticosteroids
Daily immunosuppressive medications
Hospitalizations for respiratory failure

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting a pulmonary function test (PFT) before and after bronchodilator use — the VA uses your post-bronchodilator results unless the pre-bronchodilator results are more favorable to you.

⚠Forgetting to document medication use — daily inhaler use versus intermittent use makes the difference between 10% and 30%. Bring your medication list.

⚠Not tracking emergency room visits and steroid courses — the 60% rating requires documentation of at least three courses of oral or IV steroids per year or monthly physician visits.

⚠Missing secondary connections — asthma can be secondary to environmental exposures during service (burn pits, chemical exposure) or aggravated by GERD.