What happens during a C&P exam for Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive)?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

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Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive)

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive)?

Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) (DC 6819) is rated at 100% under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6819. Active malignant neoplasm of any specified part of the respiratory system (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea, pleura, mediastinum), or during any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Per Note, the 100% rating continues beyond cessation of treatment; six months after discontinuance, mandatory VA examination determines the post-treatment evaluation under § 3.105(e). If no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals under the appropriate respiratory DC (DC 6600 chronic bronchitis, DC 6825-6833 ILD framework, DC 6843 diaphragm paralysis, DC 6844 pleural effusion/fibrosis, etc.).

Q: What rates 100% for Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6819?

Under 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6819 (DC 6819), a 100% rating for Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) requires: Active malignant neoplasm of any specified part of the respiratory system (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea, pleura, mediastinum), or during any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Per Note, the 100% rating continues beyond cessation of treatment; six months after discontinuance, mandatory VA examination determines the post-treatment evaluation under § 3.105(e). If no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals under the appropriate respiratory DC (DC 6600 chronic bronchitis, DC 6825-6833 ILD framework, DC 6843 diaphragm paralysis, DC 6844 pleural effusion/fibrosis, etc.).

Q: What evidence do I need for a Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) VA claim?

Key evidence for a Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 681938 C.F.R. § 4.97

Diagnostic Code

DC 6819

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Rating Range

100–100%

1 severity tier

Source

Verified

38 C.F.R. § 4.97

Respiratory Cancers (Agent Orange Presumptive) is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 6819 of 38 CFR § 4.97, DC 6819 across 1 severity tier (100%). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303.

Educational tool only. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

Overview

Cancers of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea. Presumptive for Agent Orange-exposed veterans. Rated 100% during active disease. After treatment, rated on residuals including pulmonary function impairment.

Rating Criteria

100%

Active malignant neoplasm of any specified part of the respiratory system (lung, bronchus, larynx, trachea, pleura, mediastinum), or during any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Per Note, the 100% rating continues beyond cessation of treatment; six months after discontinuance, mandatory VA examination determines the post-treatment evaluation under § 3.105(e). If no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals under the appropriate respiratory DC (DC 6600 chronic bronchitis, DC 6825-6833 ILD framework, DC 6843 diaphragm paralysis, DC 6844 pleural effusion/fibrosis, etc.).

03Key Evidence

—Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

—Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

—Range of motion measurements

—Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

—Buddy statements describing limitations

—Prescription history

—Physical therapy records

—Employment impact documentation

04C&P Exam Tips

1Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Tools

Rating Calculator →Secondaries Explorer →C&P Exam Prep →PACT Act Scanner →2026 Rates →

Sources & Editorial

Rating criteria text quoted verbatim from 38 C.F.R. § 4.97 (Respiratory system). Source verified 2026-05-27 by ClaimRecon Editorial Team against the Cornell Law CFR mirror; eCFR.gov is the authoritative government source.

View § 4.97 on eCFR →Cornell Law mirror →Editorial Standards →Suggest a correction →

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

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