VA Disability Rating for Lung Cancer
Rated 100% during active disease + 6 months post-treatment. PACT Act + Agent Orange presumptive.
Lung cancer (DC 6819) is rated 100% during active malignancy and for 6 months following completion of treatment (surgery / chemo / radiation). After 6 months, rerated by residuals (pulmonary function, post-surgical scarring, fatigue). Triple presumptive: PACT Act post-9/11, Agent Orange (Vietnam-era), AND in some radiation-exposure scenarios.
Presumptive framework applies
PACT Act presumptive for post-9/11 burn-pit / airborne-hazard exposure. ALSO Agent Orange presumptive (38 CFR § 3.309(e)) for Vietnam-era and other AO-qualifying service. ALSO radiation-exposed veterans presumption under 38 CFR § 3.309(d).
Check my presumptive eligibility →Rating tiers + 2026 monthly compensation
| Rating | Monthly (2026, single vet) | Criteria (summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $3,938.58 | Active malignancy, OR within 6 months of treatment completion. |
| 0% | — | After 6 months: rerated by residuals — pulmonary function (DC 6600 scale), surgical residuals, etc. |
Dollar amounts reflect the 2.5% COLA effective 2025-12-01 for single veterans with no dependents. Add spouse + children for 30%+ ratings via the estimator.
What this means in dollars
- →At 100%: $3,938.58/mo · $47,263/year, tax-free
How to get rated for lung cancer
- Pathology report + treatment records.
- Post-treatment PFTs + chest imaging.
- PACT-qualifying service: file under presumption.
- Vietnam-era / AO service: file under AO presumption (added to AO list via 2021/2022 expansions).
Common secondary conditions
- +Restrictive lung disease (post-surgical)
- +Depression
- +Pulmonary embolism (cancer-related)
File these separately. VA rates each service-connected condition independently and combines them via § 4.25.
Nexus tips
- Triple-coverage cancer — file under whichever presumption matches your service.
- Smoking history is NOT disqualifying — VA cannot deny solely based on smoking under 38 USC § 1103.
Frequently asked
I smoked in service and got lung cancer. Can VA deny because of smoking?
No — 38 USC § 1103 specifically prohibits VA from denying service-connection solely because of in-service or post-service tobacco use. If a presumption applies (AO, PACT, radiation), file under it; smoking is irrelevant to that path.
Ready to act on this?
Get a full rating estimate across your conditions, or draft the nexus letter your doctor needs to sign.
Related conditions
This page summarizes public rating criteria from 38 CFR Part 4. It is not legal or medical advice. Actual VA ratings depend on C&P exam findings, records review, and rater discretion.