As a veteran, you may have been exposed to environments that carry long-term health consequences. One serious condition tied to military service is interstitial lung disease (ILD), a group of disorders that cause chronic inflammation and scarring of lung tissue, making breathing progressively more difficult.
For many veterans, exposure to burn pits in Iraq or Afghanistan, asbestos aboard ships, jet fuel vapors, or industrial dust has been linked to respiratory damage, including interstitial lung disease. Understanding how the VA evaluates ILD is essential, because a properly assigned interstitial lung disease VA rating, ranging from 10% to 100%, can provide critical financial and medical support.
“Interstitial lung disease is often underestimated because symptoms worsen gradually,” explained by a VA pulmonary specialist, “but once scarring sets in, the functional impact can be severe and permanent.”
Also Read
VA Disability Statistics Show Gulf War and Post-9/11 Veterans Now Lead All Recipients
In this guide, we break down what ILD is, how the VA rates it, how the PACT Act affects eligibility, and what steps you need to take to secure the benefits you earned.
What Is Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)?
Interstitial lung disease refers to a family of more than 200 lung disorders that damage the interstitium, the tissue surrounding the lung’s air sacs. Over time, inflammation leads to fibrosis, or scarring, which stiffens the lungs and limits oxygen transfer into the bloodstream.
Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion
- Persistent dry cough
- Chest discomfort or tightness
- Fatigue and reduced stamina
- Unintentional weight loss or loss of appetite
- “Clubbing” of fingers or toes
- Crackling sounds in the lungs heard on exam
“For veterans, ILD is often not a single-event condition,” said by a respiratory disease researcher, “it’s the cumulative result of repeated inhalational exposures during service.”
Also Read
Schizoaffective Disorder VA Disability Rating: How to Prove Service Connection and Get the Benefits You Deserve
Military-related risk factors include asbestos exposure in older facilities and ships, burn pit smoke containing particulate matter and dioxins, jet fuel and solvent vapors, and dust storms in deployment zones.
Interstitial Lung Disease and the PACT Act
The Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act fundamentally changed how veterans can qualify for an interstitial lung disease VA rating.
ILD is now among the conditions eligible for presumptive service connection when linked to burn pit or toxic exposure. This means that if you served in qualifying locations, the VA assumes the connection between your exposure and your lung disease.
“If a veteran meets the service criteria, the nexus is no longer the hurdle,” explained by a VA-accredited claims analyst, “the focus shifts entirely to diagnosis and severity.”
This applies to conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with burn pit exposure. As of 2025, millions of PACT Act claims have been processed, with respiratory conditions representing a significant share of approvals.
How the VA Rates Interstitial Lung Disease?
The VA rates ILD under the General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease, Diagnostic Codes 6825 through 6833. Ratings are primarily based on pulmonary function test (PFT) results, which objectively measure lung capacity and gas exchange.
General Rating Formula for Interstitial Lung Disease
| VA Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 10% | FVC 75–80% predicted, or DLCO 66–80% predicted |
| 30% | FVC 65–74% predicted, or DLCO 56–65% predicted |
| 60% | FVC 50–64% predicted, or DLCO 40–55% predicted, or limited exercise capacity |
| 100% | FVC <50%, DLCO <40%, oxygen therapy required, pulmonary hypertension, or cor pulmonale |
“These numbers matter enormously,” said by a VA pulmonologist, “because even small percentage drops can translate into major functional limitations.”
For example, veterans who require outpatient oxygen therapy automatically meet the criteria for a 100% VA rating, regardless of PFT scores.
Common Types of ILD Seen in Veterans
Veterans are disproportionately affected by certain forms of interstitial lung disease, many of which align closely with known service exposures:
- Pulmonary Fibrosis: Progressive scarring often linked to burn pits or unknown exposures
- Asbestosis: Caused by asbestos inhalation, common among Navy and shipyard veterans
- Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Immune response to inhaled organic or chemical particles
- Sarcoidosis: An inflammatory condition that can involve lungs and other organs
“All of these conditions are evaluated under the same lung function criteria,” noted by a VA rating specialist, “but how you prove service connection can differ.”
Proving Service Connection for ILD
To establish service connection for interstitial lung disease, veterans generally need:
- A current medical diagnosis supported by CT scans, PFTs, or biopsy
- Evidence of an in-service exposure or event
- A medical nexus linking the two
Under the PACT Act, veterans who served in qualifying locations do not need to prove the nexus for covered exposures. For others, such as asbestos-related claims, detailed exposure statements and service records remain essential.
“A well-documented exposure history can make or break an ILD claim,” explained by a VA disability attorney.
Secondary Service Connection for ILD
Interstitial lung disease can also be claimed as a secondary condition, meaning it developed due to another service-connected disability. Common scenarios include:
- ILD secondary to autoimmune diseases
- Lung scarring following radiation therapy for service-connected cancer
- Respiratory aggravation linked to sleep apnea or chronic hypoxia
In these cases, a strong medical opinion explaining causation or aggravation is critical.
100% VA Disability and TDIU for ILD
A 100% schedular VA rating reflects severe respiratory impairment that limits even basic activities. Veterans who do not meet schedular criteria may still qualify for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) if ILD prevents substantially gainful employment.
“ILD often ends careers quietly,” said by a vocational expert, “not because veterans want to stop working, but because their lungs simply won’t allow it.”
Final Thought
Interstitial lung disease is a serious, often progressive condition that can drastically affect quality of life. Whether caused by burn pits, asbestos, or secondary medical issues, ILD is fully recognized under VA law and can be rated up to 100% disabling.
The strongest ILD claims include solid pulmonary testing, clear exposure documentation, and when necessary, a well-supported medical opinion. With the PACT Act in place, many veterans now have a clearer path to approval than ever before.
FAQs
What VA ratings are available for interstitial lung disease?
VA assigns 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100% ratings based on pulmonary function testing and complications.
What qualifies for a 100% ILD VA rating?
FVC below 50%, DLCO below 40%, oxygen therapy, pulmonary hypertension, or cor pulmonale.
Is ILD presumptive under the PACT Act?
Yes, for veterans with qualifying toxic exposure service.
Can I get TDIU with a 60% ILD rating?
Yes. A single 60% rating meets the schedular threshold if employment is not possible.
Can I appeal a low ILD VA rating?
Yes. New PFTs, DBQs, or medical opinions can support a Higher-Level Review or Supplemental Claim.
