Asthma (Bronchial Asthma) VA Rating

Overview

Asthma rating depends on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and your medication regimen.

PACT Act added asthma diagnosed after burn pit exposure as a presumptive condition.

In Depth

Bronchial asthma is rated under 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6602 based on pulmonary function testing (PFT) and medication use, whichever produces the higher rating. Tiers: 10% (FEV-1 of 71–80% predicted, OR FEV-1/FVC of 71–80%, OR intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy), 30% (FEV-1 of 56–70% predicted, OR FEV-1/FVC of 56–70%, OR daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, OR inhalational anti-inflammatory medication), 60% (FEV-1 of 40–55% predicted, OR FEV-1/FVC of 40–55%, OR at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, OR intermittent — at least three per year — courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids), 100% (FEV-1 less than 40% predicted, OR FEV-1/FVC less than 40%, OR more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, OR requires daily use of systemic high-dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications).

The 'whichever is higher' rule matters — a veteran with normal PFTs but on daily inhaled corticosteroids generally qualifies for at least 30%. Medication tier alone can drive the rating without PFT changes.

Bronchial asthma is presumptive under the PACT Act for veterans who served in covered post-9/11 locations (38 USC § 1119). The presumption removes the nexus burden but still requires a current diagnosis.

PFTs are commonly performed post-bronchodilator. When the C&P examiner records only pre-bronchodilator values, the veteran or representative should request the post-bronchodilator FEV-1 used for VA rating purposes.

How to Establish Service Connection

• PACT Act presumptive for qualifying airborne hazards.
• Direct: in-service onset documented in STRs.

Rating Criteria

Paraphrased from 38 CFR § 4.97, Diagnostic Code 6602

See what each percentage pays in 2026 and how it combines with your current rating →

Evidence Checklist

• Recent pulmonary function test (PFT) showing FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC values.
• Prescription records showing inhaler frequency and any oral steroid courses.
• PACT Act exposure documentation.

Evidence Templates

Common formats of evidence the VA looks for in this type of claim. These describe what the documents typically include — they are not legal forms or medical opinions, and Oakridge Claims does not draft them.

Evidence VA Commonly Cites in These Claims

Descriptive summary of evidence types frequently referenced in rating decisions for this condition. Not a checklist of actions to take — every claim is decided on its own facts.

• ★Make sure the C&P examiner records post-bronchodilator FEV-1 and FEV-1/FVC, not just pre-bronchodilator values.
• ★Maintain a complete medication list with dates and dosages — daily inhaled corticosteroids alone commonly support 30%; three or more oral steroid courses per year commonly support 60%.
• ★Track exacerbations requiring physician visits — monthly visits for exacerbation management commonly support 60%.
• ★When PACT Act presumption applies, file with the PACT Act intent-to-file specifically noted to ensure presumptive evaluation.

Illustrative Scenarios

These are hypothetical educational examples — not actual case results, predictions, or guarantees of outcomes.

Common pitfalls VA sees

• Accepting a low rating based on pre-bronchodilator PFTs when post-bronchodilator values would apply.
• Failing to document daily inhaled corticosteroid use, which commonly drives the 30% tier independent of PFT results.
• Missing the PACT Act presumptive pathway for post-9/11 deployment-era veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions