Lung Cancer — VA Disability Rating & Claim Guide
This is not legal or medical advice. Always consult with a VSO or accredited claims agent.
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The DBQ for Lung Cancer
Your C&P examiner fills out DBQ 21-0960L-1 (Respiratory Conditions (Other Than Tuberculosis and Sleep Apnea)) — the form that decides your rating. You can have your own doctor complete the same DBQ and submit it as evidence.
Have a C&P exam coming up? See exactly what the examiner will ask about Lung Cancer — and how to describe it.
Prep →2026 Compensation Rates
Monthly compensation for Lung Cancer, based on your overall combined VA disability rating.
| Rating | Monthly (Alone) | Monthly (w/ Spouse) | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $180.42 | — | $2,165.04 |
| 20% | $356.66 | — | $4,279.92 |
| 30% | $552.47 | $617.47 | $6,629.64 |
| 40% | $795.84 | $882.84 | $9,550.08 |
| 50% | $1,132.90 | $1,241.90 | $13,594.80 |
| 60% | $1,435.02 | $1,566.02 | $17,220.24 |
| 70% | $1,808.45 | $1,961.45 | $21,701.40 |
| 80% | $2,102.15 | $2,277.15 | $25,225.80 |
| 90% | $2,362.30 | $2,559.30 | $28,347.60 |
| 100% | $3,938.58 | $4,158.17 | $47,262.96 |
Common Symptoms
Document these symptoms in your claim. The more thoroughly you describe how they affect your daily life, the stronger your claim.
Functional Limitations
VA rates disabilities based on how they limit your ability to function. Describe these limitations in your personal statement.
Rating Criteria for Lung Cancer
Rating schedule under 38 CFR 4.97, DC 6819 (malignant neoplasms of any specified part of the respiratory system). Criteria are simplified summaries; your specific rating depends on severity documented in your C&P exam.
Assigned for the active malignant neoplasm. The 100% rating continues beyond the cessation of any surgery, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy, or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after treatment is discontinued, a mandatory VA examination is required to determine the ongoing rating; any reduction follows 38 CFR 3.105(e).
After the mandatory six-month examination, if there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, the condition is rated on its residuals (for example, restrictive or obstructive impairment on pulmonary function testing), which may yield any schedular percentage based on the measured residual disability.
Verified against 38 CFR Part 4, the official VA rating schedule. Reviewed July 2026.
Will adding Lung Cancer raise your rating?
Enter your current combined rating and the level this condition would rate at. We'll do the VA math.
New combined
100%
New monthly
$3,939
Change
+$3,939
Rates shown are the 2026 veteran-alone amounts (no dependents). VA combines ratings with "whole-person" math and rounds to the nearest 10, so adding a condition does not simply add its percentage. Full combined-rating calculator with dependents →
Evidence Checklist
Gather these types of evidence before filing your claim. The strongest claims include multiple evidence types.
Common Treatments
Documenting ongoing treatment strengthens your claim and supports higher ratings.
Secondary Conditions Linked to Lung Cancer
These conditions are commonly claimed as secondary to Lung Cancer. A secondary condition can increase your overall combined rating and monthly compensation.
Lung Cancer as a Secondary Condition
Lung Cancer is commonly claimed secondary to these primary conditions:
Filing a Lung Cancerclaim? Don't skip these.
Most veterans filing for Lung Cancer should also be looking at:
Quick calculator
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Health care
Estimate your VA Priority Group →
Priority Group 1-8 determines what care you get and what it costs. Service-connected = lower copays, full access.
Where you live
Compare 50 state veteran benefits →
State property tax exemptions for SC vets vary 10x. Some states fully exempt 100%-rated vets, others give nothing.
Home buying
VA home loan + funding fee waiver →
ANY service-connected rating waives the funding fee. On a $400K loan that's ~$8,600 saved.
Other ways to work on your claim
›More Lung Cancer resources
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Secondary Condition Claim Guides
Detailed guides on claiming each secondary condition linked to Lung Cancer.
Lung Cancer Claim Guide by State
Find state-specific VA facilities, veteran benefits, and filing resources.
More free tools
Educational content, not professional advice
This article is published by Military Transition Toolkit for educational and planning purposes. It is not legal, medical, or financial advice. VA rating criteria, benefits, and regulations change — verify anything benefits-affecting against VA.gov, 38 CFR Part 4, or a VA-accredited representative (VSO, agent, or attorney) before filing.
MTT is an independent planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or any military branch.