A bacterial infection of the lungs that may cause cough, fever, and chest pain.
During an active infection, medical records showing a confirmed actinomycosis diagnosis alongside documented systemic symptoms support the 100% level. Relevant findings include temperature logs, lab results reflecting infection, records of night sweats or significant weight loss, and notes from your treating provider describing hemoptysis.
For residual lung damage after the infection, the type of evidence depends on how the residuals are rated. If rated as interstitial or restrictive lung disease, pulmonary function test results showing reduced lung volumes or diffusion capacity are central. If rated as chronic bronchitis under diagnostic code 6600, spirometry showing airflow obstruction matters most. In either case, imaging such as chest X-rays or CT scans documenting structural changes, along with your provider's notes describing your ongoing breathing difficulties, help establish the severity. Statements from you or people who know you describing how breathing problems affect your work and daily activities also relate directly to the residual criteria.
Conditions that are often caused or made worse by this one. If you have any of these, they may be claimable as secondary service connection.
