Chronic Bronchitis

DC 6600Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6600

Ongoing inflammation of the bronchial tubes causing persistent cough with mucus production. Part of the COPD spectrum. The VA rates chronic bronchitis based on lung function tests (FEV-1).

Rating Levels

Your lung function tests show FEV-1 of less than 40 percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of less than 40 percent predicted, or your maximum exercise capacity is less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiac or respiratory limitation, or you have cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or you require outpatient oxygen therapy.

What the VA looks for

FEV-1 less than 40% predicted
DLCO less than 40% predicted
Maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min
Cor pulmonale or right heart failure documented
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting PFTs both pre- and post-bronchodilator — the VA uses post-bronchodilator results unless they are worse than pre-bronchodilator, so you need both.
⚠The VA may attribute chronic bronchitis to smoking — establish in-service onset or exposure nexus with military records documenting symptoms during service.
⚠Not documenting DLCO (diffusion capacity) which can yield higher ratings — request DLCO testing specifically as many facilities skip it during routine PFTs.
⚠Not connecting to burn pit or toxic exposure under the PACT Act — if you served in a covered location, chronic bronchitis may qualify for presumptive service connection.

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
DLCO less than 40% predicted
Maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min
Cor pulmonale or right heart failure documented
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed

Common Pitfalls

⚠Not getting PFTs both pre- and post-bronchodilator — the VA uses post-bronchodilator results unless they are worse than pre-bronchodilator, so you need both.

⚠The VA may attribute chronic bronchitis to smoking — establish in-service onset or exposure nexus with military records documenting symptoms during service.

⚠Not documenting DLCO (diffusion capacity) which can yield higher ratings — request DLCO testing specifically as many facilities skip it during routine PFTs.

⚠Not connecting to burn pit or toxic exposure under the PACT Act — if you served in a covered location, chronic bronchitis may qualify for presumptive service connection.