Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult due to obstructed airflow from the lungs. This condition encompasses emphysema and chronic bronchitis, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. For veterans whose COPD is connected to military service, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation. This compensation is determined by the specific severity of the condition and the resulting limitations on respiratory function. The VA assigns a rating based on objective medical evidence that reflects the impact on the veteran’s health and ability to function.
How the VA Rates COPD Severity
The VA assesses the severity of COPD under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities, using diagnostic code 6604. This system assigns disability percentages of 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% based on the degree of measurable functional impairment. This evaluation relies on specialized pulmonary function tests (PFTs) that measure how efficiently the lungs move air.
The primary measurement is the Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV-1), which quantifies the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in that time. The FEV-1 value is expressed as a percentage of the predicted value for a healthy person of similar age, sex, and size. A 10% rating is assigned when the FEV-1 is between 71% and 80% of the predicted value, reflecting minimal limitation.
The rating increases to 30% for an FEV-1 percentage between 56% and 70% of the predicted value. A more pronounced restriction in airflow, indicated by an FEV-1 of 40% to 55% of the predicted value, warrants a 60% disability rating.
The highest schedular rating of 100% is reserved for the most severe cases, where the FEV-1 drops below 40% of the predicted value. This maximum rating can also be assigned if the Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO) is below 40% predicted, which measures the lungs’ ability to transfer oxygen to the blood. A 100% rating is also assigned if the condition requires the veteran to use outpatient oxygen therapy or if the veteran experiences severe complications such as cor pulmonale (right-sided heart failure due to lung disease).
Required Medical Documentation for a COPD Claim
Securing a VA disability rating for COPD requires specific medical documentation that substantiates the severity levels outlined in the rating criteria. The most important evidence is the result of recent Pulmonary Function Tests, including measurements for FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, and DLCO. These tests must be performed under standardized conditions to accurately reflect the veteran’s current lung capacity.
The VA typically schedules the veteran for a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam with a VA-contracted medical professional. This examination confirms the COPD diagnosis and reviews the necessary PFTs to determine the appropriate disability percentage. The results from this exam establish the current functional impairment and form the foundation for the VA’s rating decision.
The veteran must also provide evidence establishing a “nexus,” or a direct link, between their COPD and their military service. This often involves a medical opinion, known as a nexus letter, from a qualified physician. The physician must state that the veteran’s COPD is “at least as likely as not” caused by or aggravated by their service, and the evidence must include a clear medical history demonstrating the chronic nature of the condition.
Why Focusing on an “Average” Rating is Misleading
Veterans often seek the “average” VA rating for COPD, but focusing on this concept is misleading because the VA rating system is individualized. The VA does not use statistical averages; every rating decision is based strictly on the measurable, objective functional impairment of the individual veteran. The rating reflects the precise FEV-1 or DLCO percentage measured in their most recent pulmonary function test.
A veteran’s unique rating depends entirely on where their test results fall within the established criteria of diagnostic code 6604. Factors like age, smoking history, or general health status are not used to calculate the rating percentage; only the objective PFT results matter for the schedular rating. The severity of COPD varies greatly, making any broad “average” figure irrelevant to a specific claim.
A veteran’s total compensation can involve combined ratings for multiple service-connected conditions, which often accompany COPD, such as sleep apnea or heart conditions. The VA uses a specific combined rating table to account for these comorbidities. This means the veteran’s ultimate monthly benefit is rarely based solely on the COPD percentage alone.