Sarcoidosis

DC 6846Respiratory38 CFR 4.97, DC 6846

An inflammatory disease that causes clumps of cells (granulomas) to form in the lungs and other organs. The VA rates sarcoidosis based on the severity of lung involvement and how much treatment is needed to control it.

Rating Levels

You have cor pulmonale (right heart failure), cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure, or progressive pulmonary disease with fever, night sweats, and weight loss despite treatment.

What the VA looks for

Cor pulmonale (right heart failure) documented
Cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure
Progressive pulmonary disease despite treatment
Systemic symptoms: fever, night sweats, weight loss
Echocardiogram showing cardiac involvement

Common Pitfalls

⚠Sarcoidosis can affect many organs beyond the lungs — document all affected organs (eyes, skin, liver, heart) for separate secondary ratings.
⚠Not documenting corticosteroid use and dosage — the difference between 30% and 60% depends on whether you need low-dose or high-dose steroids.
⚠Not getting pulmonary function tests (PFTs) which may support a higher rating under restrictive lung disease codes if the PFT results are worse than the sarcoidosis-specific rating.
⚠Sarcoidosis is a recognized Gulf War presumptive condition — veterans who served in Southwest Asia may not need a nexus letter.

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

You have cor pulmonale (right heart failure), cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure, or progressive pulmonary disease with fever, night sweats, and weight loss despite treatment.

What the VA looks for

Cor pulmonale (right heart failure) documented
Cardiac involvement with congestive heart failure
Progressive pulmonary disease despite treatment
Systemic symptoms: fever, night sweats, weight loss
Echocardiogram showing cardiac involvement

Common Pitfalls

⚠Sarcoidosis can affect many organs beyond the lungs — document all affected organs (eyes, skin, liver, heart) for separate secondary ratings.

⚠Not documenting corticosteroid use and dosage — the difference between 30% and 60% depends on whether you need low-dose or high-dose steroids.

⚠Not getting pulmonary function tests (PFTs) which may support a higher rating under restrictive lung disease codes if the PFT results are worse than the sarcoidosis-specific rating.

⚠Sarcoidosis is a recognized Gulf War presumptive condition — veterans who served in Southwest Asia may not need a nexus letter.