COPD VA Ratings Explained (Up to 100%)!

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that can make it difficult for veterans to breathe and live normally.  

If you’re dealing with COPD, you aren’t alone— based on a 2016 study, the VA found that nearly 4.5% of all veterans have a respiratory condition and 0.8% (or 140,000 veterans) have COPD directly linked to their military service.  

In this guide, we examine COPD VA ratings, how to successfully file a claim for COPD, and much more. 

Summary of Key Points

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease, affecting a person’s breathing and ability to perform everyday activities.  

• COPD is typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs. 

• COPD VA disability ratings (diagnostic code 6604) range from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 30% and 60%.  

• Your VA rating for COPD will depend on the severity of your symptoms, including your forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume.  

COPD in Veterans

Although any veteran can develop COPD, Gulf War and Post 9/11 veterans are at a higher risk of developing COPD based on exposure to different environmental hazards and contaminants throughout their service.  

Here are some causes of COPD for veterans:  

• Burn pits – These open-air pits were used to burn trash, chemicals, and other waste materials. Many veterans who served in the Persian Gulf were exposed to the harmful fumes from these burn pits daily.  

• Oil well fires – During the first Gulf War, Iraqi soldiers set fire to hundreds of oil wells in Kuwait. The smoke and fumes from these fires put service members at risk for COPD and other respiratory problems.  

• Toxic gasses – Including Sulfur Dioxide and veteran exposure to the 2003 Sulfur Mine fire in Iraq.  

• Particulate matter – A mixture of dust, sand, acids, metals, and other environmental hazards.  

• Pollution – Including exposure to vehicle exhaust, industrial fumes, and other airborne contaminants.  

• Smoke – Cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and other types of smoke can damage your lungs and lead to COPD.  

Veterans with long term exposure to these irritants while serving in the military are at risk for COPD, leading to cardiac or respiratory limitation. Unfortunately, COPD puts you at an increased risk for developing serious diseases like lung cancer and heart disease.  

Qualifying for a COPD VA Rating

Unlike many other conditions, COPD is unlikely to improve. The VA is much more likely to grant a permanent rating for your COPD. Let’s look at what it takes to improve your chances for a VA rating for COPD.  

To increase your chances of a successful claim for VA disability benefits, you must include these three elements as part of your fully developed claim:

1. A current medical diagnosis of COPD  

2. Evidence of an in-service event or injury that caused or aggravated your COPD  

3. A medical nexus from a physician that links your COPD to your in-service event (or service connection) (can be a Nexus Letter) 

If you have a diagnosis of COPD and you believe you were exposed to harmful toxins or other hazards that caused your COPD while serving, you must prove that your COPD is at least as likely as not caused by your in-service event.  

There are several different ways you can service connect your COPD. However, most cases of COPD will either be granted direct service connection or presumptive service connection.  

Direct Service Connection

With direct service connection, you must prove a clear link between an incident in the military and your COPD to earn a COPD VA rating.  

In addition to medical records and a nexus, showing proof of the event through your military service records can help the VA determine that the event caused your COPD occurred.  

Presumptive Service Connection

Thankfully, the VA PACT Act made it much easier for many veterans to show how their service in the Middle East and particulate matter or burn pit exposure caused COPD with presumptive service connection.  

A presumptive disability for toxic exposure is one that the VA “presumes” to be service-connected, even if there’s no specific link for service connection.  

When you qualify for a presumptive service connection disability, your VA disability claim is MUCH easier to win. All you need to show is that you have COPD and were deployed to one of the eligible areas.  

COPD VA Rating: PACT Act

If you were deployed to one of these areas on or after August 2, 1990, you’re eligible for COPD presumptive service connection. You must have performed active military, naval, or air service while assigned to a duty station. 

Or if you served on or after September 11, 2001, you’re covered for service in the following locations: 

Both chronic bronchitis and COPD presumptive claims have been granted effective dates of October 1, 2023. If a veteran is terminally ill, homeless, in severe financial difficulty, aged 85 or older, or can demonstrate other acceptable causes, August 10, 2022, is the effective date for claims.  

VA Disability Ratings for COPD

The VA rates COPD at 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%, under diagnostic code (DC) 6604, The Schedule of Ratings for The Respiratory System. 

VA Disability Rating Chart for COPD

How the VA Rates COPD

The VA rates COPD based on factors including: 

Your COPD rating is heavily based on breathing tests that measure several different components.  

You were likely diagnosed with COPD after you took one of the following tests, and the VA will want to monitor your progress over time, so you can expect to take these several times.  

Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (or FEV-1)

FEV-1 is the maximum amount of air you can breathe out in 1 second compared to a healthy person your age.  

FEV-1 is shown as a percentage, as you’re being compared to a healthy person like you. A 10% COPD VA rating starts if you can only breathe out 80% of the amount of air of a healthy person.  

Forced Vital Capacity

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) is a test that measures how much air you can exhale after taking a full breath.  

Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO)

This test measures your body’s ability to transfer oxygen into your red blood cells.  

You may also be eligible for a VA disability rating based on one of the following: 

1. Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method, or DLCO, which measures the lungs’ ability to transfer inhaled air to red blood cells. 

2. Maximum exercise capacity 

3. Right heart failure 

4. Right ventricular hypertrophy 

5. Pulmonary hypertension 

6. Episode of acute respiratory failure 

7. Requirement of outpatient oxygen therapy 

Filing for VA Disability Benefits

To get started with your COPD VA claim, gather your evidence, and submit your intent to file.  

There are a few ways to file a VA disability claim, using VA Form 21-526EZ:  

• Online  

• Mailing in or faxing your forms  

• In-person at your local regional VA office  

Secondary Service Connection

Several secondary conditions can also arise from your COPD, including: 

1. Sleep apnea  

2. Depression  

3. Anxiety  

4. Lung cancer  

If you’re dealing with any of these conditions due to your COPD, make sure to document your symptoms with a physician to pursue a secondary service connection for disabilities caused by your service-connected COPD. This will ensure you get the VA disability COPD rating you deserve.  

(FAQs) Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average VA rating for COPD?

VA disability ratings for COPD range from 10% and 100%. Your VA disability compensation will depend significantly on the severity of your symptoms, including forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume.  

Is there a COPD and asbestos exposure VA disability rating?

If you were exposed to asbestos while on active duty and developed COPD, you may be entitled to VA disability benefits. Asbestos exposure is also connected to several service-connected conditions including lung cancer and mesothelioma. 

Is COPD part of the PACT Act?

Legislation under the PACT Act changes how the VA processes and rates COPD claims, especially for Gulf War and Post-9/11 veterans. These changes have made it much easier for veterans like you suffering from COPD to get the care and compensation you deserve. 

Is COPD a presumptive condition of Agent Orange?

No, the VA doesn’t consider COPD a presumptive condition of Agent Orange. However, similar conditions, including lung cancer, are directly linked to Agent Orange exposure. 

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that makes breathing difficult. COPD is progressive, which means it usually gets worse over time. Unfortunately, it is not curable.  

This disability can significantly impact your quality of life as a veteran, as COPD can make it difficult to do everyday activities like walking, talking, and even sleeping.  

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Common COPD symptoms include:  

Two conditions usually contribute to COPD—chronic bronchitis and emphysema, frequently sharing many similar symptoms. You may have both or just signs of one of these conditions to be granted a COPD VA rating.  

Chronic Bronchitis: This is when the airways in your lungs are constantly inflamed and produce mucus.  

Emphysema: This occurs when you have long-term lung damage in the air sacs, making it challenging to get oxygen in and carbon dioxide out.  

Note: If you’re struggling with COPD and looking for treatment options, refer to the WHO’s 2023 publication about COPD.  Getting treatment won’t completely reverse your COPD, but it will help you improve the quality of daily life. 

What is the VA rating for emphysema?

Emphysema is rated at 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%, using diagnostic code (DC) 6603 for emphysema, pulmonary. 

What causes COPD?

COPD is caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs, including burn pits and particulate matter. 

Can you get a VA rating for COPD if you are a smoker?

It can be difficult—but it is possible. Smoking is a common cause of COPD. If you have a history of smoking and are dealing with COPD, the VA may deny your claim.  

The VA’s rationale is that your COPD is often caused by your smoking and is not related to your military service. If you are or were a smoker, don’t lose hope!  

If you were a smoker, to improve your chances with your VA claim, you must collect medical evidence to build your case that your COPD was at least as likely as not caused by your military service. Your best bet to win your claim is to collect medical evidence that points to the severity of smoking in the development of COPD.  

You want to show that your COPD was only slightly impacted by your smoking and that your service played a more significant role in causing your condition.  

Pro Tip: If you’re a smoker, your medical nexus becomes critical for your COPD VA claim. 

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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.