Common symptoms
- ▸Shortness of breath, wheezing, or cough
- ▸Recurrent congestion or sinus pressure
- ▸Reduced exercise tolerance
- ▸Sleep disturbance from breathing issues
Common evidence
- ▸Pulmonary function tests (FEV-1, FEV-1/FVC, DLCO)
- ▸Specialist diagnosis (pulmonology / ENT / allergist)
- ▸Medication and treatment records
- ▸Service medical records and burn-pit / environmental exposure documentation
Primary service connection examples
- ▸Burn pit / airborne hazard exposure (PACT Act presumptive for many)
- ▸In-service respiratory treatment or environmental exposure
- ▸Toxic chemical exposure
Secondary service connection examples
- ▸Sleep apnea secondary to rhinitis / nasal obstruction
- ▸Sinusitis secondary to rhinitis or deviated septum
Rating basics
Most respiratory conditions are rated by PFT results (FEV-1 / FEV-1·FVC ratio / DLCO) or by frequency of attacks and required treatment. CPAP-requiring sleep apnea is 50%; chronic respiratory failure or cor pulmonale is 100%.
Common denial reasons
- ✕No PFTs or non-current PFT results
- ✕No documented exposure (for non-presumptive claims)
- ✕Symptoms attributed to smoking or unrelated cause