VA Disability for Asthma

Asthma is a common medical condition in the United States, but it’s even more common among combat veterans. One study determined that service members who served in combat were 24-30% more likely to develop asthma than those who had not been deployed. Veterans with this service-connected condition may qualify for VA disability benefits. In some circumstances, veterans are even entitled to a presumption that their asthma is service-connected.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder that causes symptoms such as:

Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Coughing, especially at night or in the morning
Tightness in the chest
Difficulty sleeping

Though the condition itself is chronic, symptoms may suddenly worsen in what is known as an “asthma attack.” During an asthma attack, inflammation and muscle constriction make it difficult to take in air. A severe asthma attack can be fatal, so anyone suffering from asthma must have appropriate medical care, usually including:

Control medications, such as inhaled steroids
Rescue medications to quickly relax airway muscles when an attack is coming on
Avoidance of triggers, including allergy shots or medications for some people
Other medications that act to interrupt the inflammation process

It is also important for someone who has asthma to understand their triggers and warning signs and have a plan for avoiding and managing asthma attacks.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

Qualifying for VA Disability for Asthma

To receive VA disability benefits for this condition, the veteran must show that they have been diagnosed with the condition and that the condition is service-connected. This usually involves demonstrating that an in-service event or exposure caused the condition. However, since the enactment of the PACT Act in 2022, asthma is presumed service-connected for veterans who served in certain areas during specific times. For example:

Those who served in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, the UAE and the airspace above these areas on or after August 2, 1990, and
Those who served in Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan,Yemen and the airspace above these areas on or after September 11, 2001

How the VA Rates Asthma

The VA disability benefits a veteran can receive for service-connected asthma depend on the severity of the condition. The schedule for rating asthma is based on two tests and allows for four possible VA disability ratings: 10%, 30%, 60%, and 100%.

Medical Evidence to Establish VA Rating for Asthma

The two tests the VA relies on in these determinations are:

FEV-1: This test measures the volume of air a person can expel in one second after taking a deep breath.
FVC: This test measures the volume of air a person can exhale after taking a deep breath, regardless of how long that takes.

The FVC test is not used alone to determine eligibility and disability rating. The VA considers FEV-1 independently, and also FEV-1/FVC, which measures the percentage of total air exhaled that is expelled in the first second.

Asthma VA Rating Schedule

Here’s how the VA disability ratings for this condition break out:

10% disability rating: FEV-1 at 71-80% of expected value or FEV-1/FVC ratio of 71-80% or intermittent use of breathing medications.
30% disability rating: FEV-1 at 56-70% of expected value or FEV-1/FVC ratio of 56-70% or daily use of breathing medications or use of anti-inflammatory medications.
60% disability rating: FEV-1 at 40-55% of expected value or FEV-1/FVC ratio of 40-55% or at least monthly medical visits or at least three courses of systemic corticosteroids annually.
100% disability rating: FEV-1 below 40% of expected value or FEV-1/FVC ratio of less than 40% or more than one attack per week with respiratory failure or need for daily use of high-dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressants.

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VA Disability for Asthma: Benefits

The benefits a veteran can receive for service-connected asthma vary greatly depending on the VA disability rating assigned. Here are the benefits a veteran rated on the schedule above can expect in 2026:

At a 10% VA disability rating, the veteran will receive $180.42/month in monetary benefits and medical care for the service-connected condition.
At a 30% VA disability rating, the veteran will receive $552.47/month in monetary benefits, and this amount is increased slightly for each eligible dependent. Medical coverage is provided for the service-connected condition.
At a 60% VA disability rating, the monthly monetary benefit is $1,435.02, with increases for each eligible dependent. At this level, the veteran also receives more comprehensive healthcare benefits.
At a 100% VA disability rating, the monthly monetary benefit is $3,938.58 with increases for each eligible dependent, and comprehensive healthcare benefits. If the rating is considered permanent, additional benefits are available for certain dependents.

Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form

TDIU Due to Asthma

If a veteran has a 60% VA disability rating for asthma and is deemed unable to work due to their condition, they may be assigned a TDIU classification–total disability due to individual unemployability. When a veteran receives a TDIU classification, they receive benefits as if they had been rated at 100%.

How the VA Rates Asthma with Other Conditions

If a veteran suffers from more than one service-connected condition, the VA assigns a rating for each condition and then applies a formula to reach a combined rating. A veteran with a combined rating of at least 70% may also qualify for TDIU classification, if at least one condition is rated at 40% or higher.

Secondary Conditions Linked to Asthma

Asthma rarely travels alone. If you’re already service-connected for asthma, you may also be able to claim conditions that developed because of it, even if those conditions aren’t directly tied to your time in service.

Common secondary claims include:

Sleep apnea: chronic airway inflammation and nighttime symptoms can contribute to obstructive sleep apnea
GERD (acid reflux): some asthma medications and the condition itself are linked to reflux
Chronic bronchitis or other respiratory conditions: long-term inflammation can affect the broader respiratory system
Anxiety or depression: living with a condition that limits physical activity and disrupts sleep can take a toll on mental health

A secondary condition claim requires its own medical evidence connecting it back to your asthma, so talk to your doctor about documenting the relationship if you think one of these applies to you.

Building a Stronger Asthma Claim: What the Evidence Should Show

Beyond the FEV-1 and FVC test results already covered above, a few other pieces of evidence tend to make or break an asthma claim:

A nexus letter from a doctor connecting your asthma to a specific in-service event or exposure, if you’re not covered by the PACT Act presumption
A completed Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ): the VA’s standard form for documenting the condition, which your own physician can fill out instead of waiting on a VA examiner
Pharmacy records showing how often you refill rescue and control medications, which helps support claims based on medication frequency rather than test results alone
A record of ER visits or urgent care trips for asthma attacks, which matters most at the 60% and 100% levels

What to Expect at Your C&P Exam for Asthma

If the VA schedules a Compensation and Pension exam for your asthma claim, the examiner will typically ask about your symptom frequency, medication use, and any hospitalizations, and may perform or review your pulmonary function tests. For a full walkthrough of what happens before, during, and after this exam, see our guide: What Happens After a VA C&P Exam?

Tier 1 (10%): FEV-1 71 to 80% or occasional inhaler use
Tier 2 (30%): FEV-1 56 to 70% or daily inhaler plus anti-inflammatory meds
Tier 3 (60%): FEV-1 40 to 55% or monthly doctor visits or 3+ steroid courses/year
Tier 4 (100%): FEV-1 below 40% or weekly attacks with respiratory failure or daily high-dose steroids

FAQ

Can I get VA disability for asthma that started before I joined the military? Yes, if your service aggravated it beyond its natural progression. The VA may still assign a rating, though it could be reduced to account for the pre-existing condition, and you’ll need medical evidence showing your service made it worse.

Does the VA cover my inhalers and asthma medication? Once you’re service-connected for asthma, VA health care generally covers treatment and medication for that condition.

What if my asthma claim gets denied even though I served somewhere covered by the PACT Act? A PACT Act presumptive location doesn’t guarantee approval. You still need a current diagnosis and, in some cases, additional evidence. If you’re denied, you can request a decision review or work with an accredited advocate on an appeal.

Can my asthma rating go down at a future exam? Yes, if a re-examination shows your condition has improved. The VA generally doesn’t schedule frequent re-evaluations for stable, longstanding conditions, but it can happen, especially in the first few years after your rating is assigned.

How long does it take to get a decision on an asthma claim? As of 2026, the VA’s average time to complete a disability claim decision is running under 90 days, down significantly from a couple of years ago, though claims needing a C&P exam or additional medical development can take longer.

Can I claim asthma as a secondary condition to something else, like PTSD or a chronic sinus condition? It’s less common than the reverse, but if you can show a medical link, a secondary claim in either direction is possible. Talk to your doctor about the specific connection.

Get Help With Your Asthma Claim

Asthma claims live or die on the details: pulmonary test results, medication records, ER visit history, and whether your evidence lines up with the rating you’re asking for. If you’ve been denied, rated lower than you expected, or you’re just getting started and want to file it right the first time, Disabled Vets can help. Call 1-888-373-4722 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form to talk through your case at no cost.