A spinal cord injury that affects the ability to breathe normally.
Pulmonary function test reports are central to rating this condition. VA looks specifically at FEV-1 (the volume of air you can force out in one second), the FEV-1/FVC ratio, and DLCO measured by the single breath method. Each of these values is compared to a predicted normal, and the percentage of predicted tells VA which rating level applies. Make sure test reports include both the raw numbers and the percent-of-predicted figures.
For the 100% level, records showing cor pulmonale, right ventricular hypertrophy, or pulmonary hypertension — documented by echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization — satisfy the criteria without relying on spirometry alone. Records of hospital admissions for acute respiratory failure, or a prescription and use of outpatient oxygen therapy, also support a 100% rating. Exercise testing that records maximum oxygen consumption in ml/kg/min, with a note that the limitation is cardiac or respiratory in origin, supports the 100% or 60% levels. Statements from you or those who care for you describing how breathing problems affect daily activity and work can help VA understand the real-world impact of your test results.
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.
