Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
DC 6604 §4.97 Respiratory ICD-10: J44.9 DirectPresumptive PACT Act (post-9/11, Gulf War)
PACT Act presumptive. Rated by PFTs.
VA rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40 percent of predicted value; or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent; or DLCO (SB) less than 40-percent predicted; or maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiac or respiratory limitation; or cor pulmonale; or right ventricular hypertrophy; or pulmonary hypertension; or episode(s) of acute respiratory failure; or requires outpatient oxygen therapy |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent; or DLCO (SB) of 40- to 55-percent predicted; or maximum oxygen consumption of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent; or DLCO (SB) of 56- to 65-percent predicted |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent; or DLCO (SB) 66- to 80-percent predicted |
Filing this claim
If you have qualifying service for the PACT Act (post-9/11, Gulf War) presumption, you don't need a nexus letter — file as a primary claim with proof of qualifying service and your current diagnosis. Use the letter generators to draft your nexus letter and Statement in Support of Claim.
Step by step
- File an Intent to File (Form 21-0966) to lock your effective date.
- Confirm you have a current medical diagnosis in a medical record.
- Gather proof of qualifying service (DD-214, deployment records, etc.) — no nexus letter needed.
- Write a Statement in Support of Claim (21-4138).
- If applicable, gather buddy statements (21-10210).
- File the formal 21-526EZ.
Source: 38 CFR §4.97. For exact regulatory language, consult eCFR Title 38. This is general education — for your specific case, consult a VA-accredited representative.