The VA rates asthma based on the severity of your symptoms and their impact on your life. Ratings range from 0% to 100%:

• 0% (Non-Compensable): For very mild asthma requiring no medication, with few symptoms impacting daily life.

• 10%: Requires an inhaler for occasional attacks.

• 30%: Requires chronic use of an inhaler or similar medication, with attacks occurring at least once a week.

• 60%: Experiences frequent asthma attacks (at least once a month) despite medication, or has required systemic (oral or intravenous) corticosteroids for control.

• 100%: Experiences very frequent attacks, or has constant symptoms requiring daily systemic corticosteroids or the equivalent.

Factors the VA Considers for Ratings

• Lung Function Tests: Results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs), such as Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV-1), to measure lung capacity.

• Medication: Types and frequency of medications you use to manage asthma.

• Frequency and Severity of Attacks: How often you experience asthma attacks and how severe they are.

• Impact on Daily Life: Limitations on work, activities, and overall quality of life.

VA Disability Ratings for COPD:

The VA rates COPD based on the severity of your condition and how it limits your daily life. Ratings range from 10% to 100% in 10% increments:

• 10%: Mild shortness of breath with exertion, but limited impact on regular activities.

• 30%: Moderate shortness of breath with exertion, and some limitations on activities.

• 60%: Significant shortness of breath on minimal exertion, requiring frequent rest during activities. May require oxygen supplementation.

• 100%: Severe shortness of breath at rest, confined to home or requires near-constant oxygen therapy.

Factors the VA Considers for Ratings:

• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): Results of tests such as FEV-1 (Forced Expiratory Volume) help measure your lung function.

• Frequency and Severity of Exacerbations: How often you experience flare-ups of your COPD symptoms, and how severe they are.

• Impact on Daily Life: The extent to which COPD limits your ability to work, perform regular activities, and maintain your overall quality of life.

• Need for Oxygen Therapy: Whether you require supplemental oxygen and for how long.

Restrictive Lung Diseases (RLDs) are a group of conditions that limit the lungs' ability to expand fully. This leads to shortness of breath, decreased lung capacity, and difficulty breathing. Common types of RLDs include:

• Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs): Diseases causing inflammation and scarring in the lungs (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis, sarcoidosis).

• Pneumoconiosis: Lung diseases caused by inhaling dust and particles (e.g., asbestosis, silicosis).

• Chest Wall Disorders: Conditions affecting the chest wall and muscles, making breathing difficult (e.g., kyphoscoliosis, neuromuscular diseases).

• Other Causes: Complications from surgery, trauma, infections, or certain medications.

The VA rates RLDs based on the severity of your symptoms, pulmonary function tests, and the impact on your overall quality of life. Ratings range from 10% to 100% in 10% increments.

Factors the VA Considers for Ratings:

• Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): Results of PFTs, such as FEV-1 (Forced Expiratory Volume) and DLCO (Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide) to measure how well your lungs work.

• Oxygen Needs: Whether you require supplemental oxygen and how often or for how long.

• Exertion Capacity: How far you can walk before getting short of breath and how quickly you recover.

• Frequency and Severity of Exacerbations: How often you experience flare-ups of your RLD symptoms, and how severe they are.

• Impact on Daily Life: The extent to which your RLD limits your ability to work, perform regular activities of daily living, and maintain your overall quality of life.

Rhinitis means inflammation of the inside of your nose. There are two main types:

• Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever): Triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, causing runny nose, sneezing, and congestion.

• Vasomotor Rhinitis: Characterized by similar symptoms, but with unknown or non-allergic triggers (e.g., irritants, change in weather).

VA Disability Ratings for Rhinitis:

The VA rates rhinitis as follows:

10%: Requires occasional use of medication, with symptoms causing more than minimal, but less than moderate, impairment.

30%: Persistent symptoms requiring frequent use of medication, causing moderate impairment, and including the presence of nasal polyps.

Rhinitis is rarely rated higher than 30%. To receive higher ratings, it must be linked to more severe secondary conditions.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, the air-filled cavities around your nasal passages. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting 12 weeks or longer). Symptoms include:

• Facial pain and pressure

• Nasal congestion

• Thick yellow or green nasal discharge

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Fever

VA Disability Ratings for Sinusitis:

The VA rates chronic sinusitis based on the frequency and severity of episodes requiring prolonged treatment:

• 0% (Non-Compensable): Sinusitis may be present, but confirmed only by X-ray, and without symptoms requiring any treatment.

• 10%: One or two short episodes of sinusitis a year, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment (lasting 4-6 weeks). OR three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year, characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

• 30%: Three or more incapacitating episodes per year, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment. OR more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year with symptoms like headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.

• 50%: Near-constant sinusitis with severe headaches, pain, tenderness of the affected sinus, and purulent discharge or crusting after repeated surgery.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Types include:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Most common type, caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep.

• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Less common, caused by the brain not sending proper signals to the breathing muscles.

• Mixed Sleep Apnea: A combination of OSA and CSA.

VA Disability Ratings for Sleep Apnea:

The VA rates sleep apnea based on the severity of symptoms:

• 0% (Non-Compensable): Sleep apnea is present as determined by a sleep study, but without any associated symptoms.

• 30%: Persistent daytime hypersomnolence (excessive daytime sleepiness).

• 50%: Requires use of a breathing assistance device such as a CPAP machine.

• 100%: Requires chronic oxygen supplementation or other extreme measures due to severe respiratory failure.