Loss of function in the vagus nerve, which may affect swallowing, speech, and digestive or heart function.
Because the rating turns on sensory and motor loss to the organs of voice, respiration, pharynx, stomach, and heart, medical records that document findings in those areas are most directly useful. Exam findings showing changes to your voice, such as hoarseness or loss of speech, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, abnormal heart rate, or stomach motility issues can reflect the degree of nerve involvement. Pulmonary function tests, laryngoscopy results, and cardiology or gastroenterology evaluations may capture these findings objectively.
For incomplete paralysis, records that distinguish between severe and moderate loss of function are important, since that difference separates a 30% from a 10% rating. If the involvement is sensory only, records should clearly describe that, since a wholly sensory involvement is rated at no higher than the moderate degree. Statements from you describing how symptoms such as voice loss, swallowing difficulty, or breathing problems affect your daily activities and work can help show the extent of functional loss.
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.
