Asbestosis

DC 6833Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6833

Lung scarring from inhaling asbestos fibers, common in Navy veterans with shipboard exposure and veterans in construction or demolition MOS. The VA rates asbestosis based on lung function tests.

Rating Levels

Your lung function tests show FVC of less than 50 percent predicted, or DLCO (SB) of less than 40 percent predicted, or you have cor pulmonale (right heart failure), or you require outpatient oxygen therapy.

What the VA looks for

FVC less than 50% predicted
DLCO less than 40% predicted
Cor pulmonale or right heart failure documented
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed
Advanced asbestosis on high-resolution CT

Common Pitfalls

⚠Asbestosis has a long latency period of 10 to 40 years after exposure — do not assume it is too late to file. The VA recognizes delayed-onset asbestos-related disease.
⚠Not getting a CT chest showing pleural plaques or interstitial changes — imaging evidence is critical for establishing the diagnosis and linking it to asbestos exposure.
⚠Navy and shipyard veterans have presumptive exposure to asbestos — document your duty stations and ship assignments as part of your exposure history.
⚠Consider also filing for pleural plaques as a separate condition — they are independently ratable and can be documented on chest CT even if lung function is not yet significantly impaired.

Related DBQ Forms

DBQ Respiratory Conditions (Other Than Tuberculosis and Sleep Apnea)

View evidence checklist →See secondary conditions →

Condition Rating Guides

Understand what the VA looks for at each rating level — loading conditions…

Rating Levels

What the VA looks for

FVC less than 50% predicted
DLCO less than 40% predicted
Cor pulmonale or right heart failure documented
Outpatient oxygen therapy prescribed
Advanced asbestosis on high-resolution CT

Common Pitfalls

⚠Asbestosis has a long latency period of 10 to 40 years after exposure — do not assume it is too late to file. The VA recognizes delayed-onset asbestos-related disease.

⚠Not getting a CT chest showing pleural plaques or interstitial changes — imaging evidence is critical for establishing the diagnosis and linking it to asbestos exposure.

⚠Navy and shipyard veterans have presumptive exposure to asbestos — document your duty stations and ship assignments as part of your exposure history.

⚠Consider also filing for pleural plaques as a separate condition — they are independently ratable and can be documented on chest CT even if lung function is not yet significantly impaired.