A condition where abnormal immune cells form nodules in the lungs that may cause breathing problems.
The evidence that matters most for this condition comes from pulmonary function testing. Records showing your FVC result as a percentage of the predicted value directly correspond to each rating level. Similarly, DLCO (SB) test results expressed as a percentage of predicted are used at every level from 10% up to 100%. If your condition is severe, records documenting maximum exercise capacity testing — showing oxygen consumption in ml/kg/min along with a finding of cardiorespiratory limitation — can support a 60% or 100% rating.
At the highest level, medical records confirming a diagnosis of cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension, or documentation that your treating provider has prescribed outpatient oxygen therapy, can also support a 100% rating. Statements from you or others who know you about how breathing difficulties affect your ability to work or carry out daily activities can give context to the test results, though the rating itself turns on the objective measurements listed above.
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.
