Sleep and breathing

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Diagnostic Code 6604.

Veticare EducationUpdated October 2026Source: 38 CFR 4.97

Overview

COPD is a long term lung disease that limits airflow and makes breathing harder. VA rates it largely on pulmonary function test results.

How VA rates it

Diagnostic Code 6604 · 38 CFR 4.97

Here is a plain language summary of the rating levels in the regulation. Read the official text for the exact wording.

Rating	Summary of the criteria
100%	Very low lung function test results (FEV1 or FEV1/FVC less than 40 percent, among other criteria), certain heart or lung complications, or outpatient oxygen therapy.
60%	Lung function results of 40 to 55 percent predicted, or similar criteria.
30%	Lung function results of 56 to 70 percent predicted, or similar criteria.
10%	Lung function results of 71 to 80 percent predicted, or similar criteria.

The regulation uses several lung function measures, including FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and DLCO. Emphysema (DC 6603) uses the same levels.

Common secondary connections

These are conditions often discussed in connection with COPD. A secondary claim generally needs medical evidence that one condition caused or worsened another. This list is general education, not a suggestion about any claim.

Heart conditions
Sleep apnea

Presumptive notes

VA lists COPD and emphysema as PACT Act presumptive conditions for qualifying service locations. Read the full eligibility rules on VA.gov.

Evidence veterans generally gather

VA describes evidence types in its evidence guide. For this condition, veterans often collect:

Pulmonary function test results
Pulmonology records
Deployment records
A current diagnosis from a medical provider
Service treatment records and personnel records
VA and private treatment records
Statements from you, family, or fellow service members (lay statements)
A Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) completed by a provider, if available

Official source

Rating levels: 38 CFR 4.97 on eCFR. Rules change; always confirm the current text.

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Education only. This page explains how VA publishes its rating rules in plain language. It is not advice about your claim, and it does not predict or promise any rating or outcome. Only VA decides ratings. Veticare is not a VA accredited representative and has no referral partnerships. For help with a claim, find free accredited help at the VA accreditation search.