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You may qualify for an asthma VA rating if your condition began or worsened due to military service.
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions among post-9/11 and Gulf War veterans—especially for those exposed to burn pits, dust, or airborne toxins during deployment.
Here’s the good news: under the PACT Act, many veterans with asthma now qualify for presumptive service connection, meaning you may not have to prove that your military service directly caused your condition.
In this guide, we’ll break down how the VA rates asthma, what counts as service-connected, and how to strengthen your claim so you can get the VA disability rating and benefits you deserve.
Summary of Key Points
- The VA rates asthma at 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%, based on the frequency of attacks, treatment needs, lung function, and medication intensity.
- Under the PACT Act, you may qualify for presumptive service connection for asthma if you served in the Persian Gulf or certain Southwest Asia regions during specific time periods and meet the VA’s eligibility criteria.
- A C&P exam for asthma confirms your current diagnosis, links it to service exposure, and assesses symptom severity and impact on daily life.
Table of Contents
Causes of Asthma in Veterans
Asthma in veterans is often tied to exposures and conditions during military service.
Common contributors include:
- Burn pit smoke and airborne toxins
- Dust, sand, and poor air quality during deployments
- Fuel exhaust and industrial chemicals
- Smoke from weapons, vehicles, and equipment
- High stress and intense physical demands can worsen airway inflammation
According to a 2025 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, deployed veterans had a 55% higher risk of developing asthma compared with their non-deployed peers.
How the VA Rates Asthma
The VA generally rates asthma under diagnostic code (DC) 6602, with potential ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%.
A VA disability rating for asthma is based on:
- How often you have asthma attacks
- How frequently you need medical treatment
- Your Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) results, including FEV-1 and FVC ratios
- The type and intensity of medications you require, such as inhalers, nebulizers, systemic corticosteroids, or oxygen therapy
Understanding the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
A Pulmonary Function Test measures how well your lungs work. Two key numbers the VA looks at are:
- FEV-1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second): How much air you can blow out in one second. Lower numbers mean your airways are more blocked.
- FVC (Forced Vital Capacity): The total amount of air you can blow out after taking a deep breath.
Asthma as a Presumptive Condition
You may qualify for presumptive service connection for asthma that was diagnosed after service under the PACT Act if you served in the Persian Gulf or certain Southwest Asia regions during specific time periods.
The PACT Act presumes that conditions like asthma are caused by exposure to toxic substances, such as burn pits, chemicals, or environmental hazards, during service.
If you meet the criteria, you don’t have to prove an in-service event or illness, but you must still meet the specific eligibility requirements set by the VA.
Learn More: Why VA Presumptive Conditions are Easy to Get Approved
Asthma VA Rating Chart
| 6602 Asthma, bronchial: | VA Rating |
| FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications | 100% |
| FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, 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 | 60% |
| FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication | 30% |
| FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy | 10% |
| Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record. |
Asthma VA Rating Criteria Explained
VA jargon can make your head spin, so here’s a simplified version of how the VA rates asthma.
100% VA Rating
- Very poor lung function (below 40%)
- More than one severe asthma attack per week
- Daily high-dose of oral or injected steroid or immune-suppressing medication
60% VA Rating
- Lung function between 40% and 55%
- Monthly doctor visits for flare-ups
- Steroid pills or injectables three or more times per year
30% VA Rating
- Lung function between 56% and 70%
- Daily inhalers or oral medicines to open your airways, or use of inhaled anti-inflammatory asthma medication
10% VA Rating
- Lung function between 71% and 80%
- Inhalers or oral medicines used only occasionally
Proving Service Connection
To be eligible for a VA asthma rating, you must provide evidence of the following:
- A current medical diagnosis of asthma
- An in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness
- A medical nexus (link) between your current diagnosis and the in-service event, injury, aggravation, or illness
Fastest Way to File Your VA Claim
The fastest way to file your VA claim for asthma is online; however, you can also complete VA Form 21-526EZ and submit it in one of the following ways:
- By mail
- Via fax
- In person at a VA regional office near you
Learn More: How to File a VA Claim Online
What to Expect in a C&P Exam for Asthma
You may be required to attend a compensation & pension (C&P) exam as part of the VA claims process.
A C&P exam for asthma looks at three key things.
- The examiner confirms that you have asthma by reviewing your medical records and tests like PFTs.
- They determine whether your asthma is connected to your military service, including exposure to burn pits or other toxins under the PACT Act.
- They assess the severity of your symptoms by reviewing how often you have flare-ups, which medications you use, and how asthma affects your breathing, daily life, and work.
>> Learn More: C&P Exam for Asthma
How to Appeal a Denied Asthma Claim
If your asthma VA claim was denied but you believe you should be compensated, you have several appeal options.
You can:
- File a Supplemental Claim if you have new and relevant evidence that the VA didn’t review the first time.
- Request a Higher-Level Review if you think the VA made an error evaluating your claim, and you don’t have new evidence to add.
- Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals if you want a Veterans Law Judge to re-evaluate your case or hold a hearing, either in person or virtually.
VA Secondary Conditions to Asthma
Secondary conditions are health issues that develop or worsen because of an existing service-connected disability.
These secondary ratings can also increase your overall combined VA rating, which may boost your monthly compensation.
Common secondary conditions linked to asthma include:
- GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Hypertension
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vocal Cord Dysfunction (Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction)
- Diabetes Mellitus
>> View Our Main Guide on Asthma Secondary Conditions
Can You Get TDIU for Asthma?
If your service-connected asthma prevents you from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, you may qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).
One of the following must also be true:
- You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or
- You have 2 or more service-connected disabilities, with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more.
Did you know? TDIU pays you at the full 100% rate, even when your combined rating falls short of 100%.
Conclusion
Asthma can significantly affect nearly every part of your life, from daily breathing to long-term health. Knowing how the VA rates asthma (10%–100%), what qualifies as service-connected under the PACT Act, and which secondary conditions may apply can help you secure all of the VA compensation and benefits you deserve.
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(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VA rating for asthma?
The VA rates asthma at 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%, under diagnostic code 6602.
What is the highest VA rating for asthma?
The highest VA rating for asthma is 100% if your symptoms are so severe that you require intensive treatment, frequent hospitalizations, or have extremely limited lung function on pulmonary tests. You may also be eligible for a 100% VA rating for asthma if you qualify for TDIU.
How do you prove asthma is service-connected?
To prove service connection for asthma, you must have a current diagnosis, evidence of an in-service event, injury, or illness, and a medical nexus linking your asthma to your military service.
Is asthma related to the PACT Act?
Yes. Under the PACT Act, asthma that was diagnosed after service is a presumptive condition if you were exposed to burn pits or airborne hazards, meaning you don’t have to prove it was caused by your service if you served in eligible locations and time periods.
What are the secondary conditions to asthma?
Secondary conditions to asthma include, but aren’t limited to, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, vocal cord dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, anxiety, and depression.
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The Quality Assurance (QA) team at VA Claims Insider has extensive experience researching, fact-checking, and ensuring accuracy in all produced content. The QA team consists of individuals with specialized knowledge in the VA disability claims adjudication processes, laws and regulations, and they understand the needs of our target audience. Any changes or suggestions the QA team makes are thoroughly reviewed and incorporated into the content by our writers and creators.
About the Author
Kelly Olone
Kelly Olone is a military spouse who earned her degree in Psychology from Florida International University. After working in the non-profit sector for several years, she turned to her passion for writing. She aims to contribute to a better understanding of the valuable benefits that veterans deserve. As a mom, Kelly navigates the delicate balance between deadlines and bedtime stories with finesse.
