Bronchial Asthma
DC 6602 §4.97 Respiratory ICD-10: J45.909 DirectPresumptive PACT Act (post-9/11, Gulf War)
Reversible airway obstruction. PACT Act presumptive when diagnosed after qualifying service.
VA rating criteria
| Rating | Criteria |
|---|---|
| 100% | FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent; or more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure; or requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive medications |
| 60% | FEV-1 of 40 to 55 percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent; or at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations; or intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids |
| 30% | FEV-1 of 56 to 70 percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent; or daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy; or inhalational anti-inflammatory medication |
| 10% | FEV-1 of 71 to 80 percent predicted; or FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent; or intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy |
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.