If you’re a veteran with chronic granulomatous disease, you can receive VA compensation if your service worsened your condition. This post explains the VA rating for granulomatous disease.
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Your military service didn’t cause chronic granulomatous disease. You had the genetic condition when you enlisted, but exposure to toxins like burn pits can exacerbate granulomatous symptoms, making it worse. If this is your experience, read on to learn more about the VA rating for granulomatous disease.
In this article about the VA rating for granulomatous disease:
What is a granulomatous disease?
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a genetic condition where a person’s white blood cells can’t kill certain types of bacteria or fungi, making the person prone to infections.
Granulomatous disease symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Runny nose
- Skin irritations
- Gastrointestinal issues
People with the disease may develop abscesses in their lungs, liver, spleen, bones, or on their skin. They may also develop granulomas, which are masses of cells. These masses can cause obstructions to the bowel or urinary tract, which can result in inflammatory bowel disease.
People with granulomatous disease also may develop heart or kidney problems, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases.
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Granulomatous diseases in veterans
While granulomatous disease is a genetic disorder, exposure to toxins during military service can worsen symptoms or cause infections for those with the condition. This includes exposure to burn pits, asbestos, Agent Orange, or other toxins.
Granulomatous disease Pact Act addition
The PACT Act, which was signed into law in 2022, includes 23 additional presumptive conditions for burn pits, including granulomatous disease, for veterans who qualify as “covered veterans.”
That means covered veterans exposed to burn pits who develop granulomatous disease don’t have to prove a connection, or “medical nexus,” between their condition and their military service. They only have to prove they were exposed to burn pits during service to be granted service connection. Vets must also show the condition is disabling enough to meet the criteria for compensation.
Granulomatous disease is not included as a presumptive condition for Agent Orange exposure because medical research hasn’t proven a connection between the two. However, you may still be able to make a case between Agent Orange exposure and the condition because of the toxins involved.
Granulomatous disease and related conditions
Granulomatous makes people prone to all types of infections. Granulomas can cause blockages, build-up, or inflammation that can result in:
Granulomatous disease also is linked to the development of interstitial lung disease, which is when inflammation builds up around the heart.
The VA provides ratings for this and other lung diseases. These secondary disabilities related to granulomatous disease could increase the amount of VA disability compensation you’re owed.
VA rating for granulomatous disease
The VA rates granulomatous disease under several different codes in the Schedule of Ratings, depending on how it manifests.
The VA uses diagnostic code 6521 for injuries to the pharynx in the throat, which can occur with chronic granulomatous disease. This rating is 50% if a veteran experiences obstruction or trauma to that area, difficulty swallowing, or speech impairment.
Diagnostic code 6524 is used for granulomatous rhinitis, which is in the nasal cavity. It is rated at 100% for Wegner’s granulomatosis or lethal midline granuloma, which are severe cases, and 20% for other types of granulomatous infections.
The VA also uses diagnostic code 6828, which is eosinophilic granuloma of the lung. It’s based on how much oxygen you can get into your lungs and how difficult breathing is. It rates at 100%, 60%, 30%, or 10%.
| Description | VA Rating | Monthly payment (vet only) |
|---|---|---|
| Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) less than 50% predicted, or; Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO (SB)) less than 40% predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity less than 15 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation, or; cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or; requires outpatient oxygen therapy | 100% | $3,737.85 |
| FVC of 50-64% predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 40-55% predicted, or; maximum exercise capacity of 15 to 20 ml/kg/min oxygen consumption with cardiorespiratory limitation | 60% | $1,3161.88 |
| FVC of 65-74% predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 56-65% predicted | 30% | $524.31 |
| FVC of 75-80% predicted, or; DLCO (SB) of 66-80% predicted | 10% | $171.23 |
We explain more about what acronyms like “FVC” and “DLCO (SB)” mean below.
C&P exam for granulomatous disease
The compensation and pension exam (C&P exam) for granulomatous disease that impacts the lung will typically include questions about your military service and exposure to burn pits or other toxins. It will also usually consist of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to measure how severe your respiratory condition is.
PFTs measure how well air moves in and out of your lungs, how much air you can hold, and how forcefully you can empty air from your lungs, among other things.
Measures resulting from these tests that may be used by the VA to determine your rating include:
- Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) – The percentage of air you exhale following maximum inhalation.
- Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) – The liter volume of air you exhale in the first second during forced exhalation.
- Diffusion Capacity for Carbon Monoxide by the Single Breath Method (DLCO(SB)) – The percentage of carbon monoxide you exhale following maximum inhalation.
These tests are formed using a mouthpiece that measures your exhalations. A doctor may also ask you to do light exercises to monitor your breathing ability.
TDIU for granulomatous disease
A veteran can be awarded total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) benefits if they can’t maintain “substantially gainful employment” due to their service-connected conditions.
A person with granulomatous disease might not be able to work because of complications associated with infections or the risk of getting infected. Because of their weakened immune system, it may be challenging for them to maintain regular employment as an ongoing or recurring illness may make them miss work frequently.
TDIU pays at the same level as a 100% disability rating, even when the veteran’s combined rating is below 100%.
Veterans will typically be eligible for TDIU if they have:
- At least one service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling OR
- Two or more service-connected disabilities with at least one rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more
“The firm got me to 70%, and I was happy. Individual unemployability was awarded to me and to this day, I’m so grateful. My future is no longer bleak. These people work very hard for you.”
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How our VA-accredited attorneys can help
If you have a service-connected condition that affects your ability to live and work comfortably, you deserve VA disability benefits. Contact Woods and Woods today for a free consultation to see how we can help. You only pay us if we win.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The rating depends on how the condition manifests. It can be 100%, 60%, 50%, 30%, 20%, or 10%, depending on your specific situation.
As with all VA ratings, the rating will vary from person to person depending on how far the disease has progressed and how much it affects the veteran’s day-to-day life. The VA gives ratings ranging from 10% to 100%, with 100% being full coverage for veterans who cannot do any work due to their condition. Because it’s an irreversible and progressive disease, you may need to continuously reapply for benefits as your condition worsens to receive a higher rating.
Neil Woods
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Neil Woods is the firm’s owner and president. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
