Chronic inflammatory airway disease causing wheezing, shortness of breath (post-service diagnosis)
Pulmonary function test reports are central to this rating. They show your FEV-1 as a percentage of predicted and your FEV-1/FVC ratio — the two measurements that define most rating levels. Make sure test results in your records are dated and include both values.
Treatment records matter at every level. Pharmacy records or prescription histories can show whether your bronchodilator or corticosteroid use is intermittent or daily, and whether those corticosteroids are inhaled or systemic. Records of physician or urgent care visits document how often you need care for exacerbations, which is relevant at the 60% level. Hospital or emergency records showing episodes of respiratory failure support the 100% criteria.
Your own statements, and statements from people who know you, can describe how attacks affect your ability to breathe, work, and carry out daily activities. If you have no clinical findings at the time of a VA examination, records from other providers that document a verified history of asthmatic attacks are needed to establish the rating.
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.
