If you’ve filed a VA claim for asthma, you can expect to be scheduled for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam.
Knowing what to expect and how to prepare for exam day can significantly impact the outcome of your claim, helping you secure the VA rating and compensation you rightfully deserve.
Asthma is a respiratory condition that can range from mild to severe, with symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
For veterans, asthma can be linked to environmental exposures during military service, such as dust, chemicals, or burn pits.
Asthma is very common among veterans and is currently the #15 most claimed VA disability.
Pro Tip: Asthma is rated by the VA under 38 CFR § 4.97, Schedule of Ratings for the Respiratory System, Diagnostic Code (DC) 6602, with ratings of 10%, 30%, 60%, or 100%. The VA evaluates asthma based on the frequency (how often), severity (how bad), and duration (how long) of your symptoms, the necessity for medication, and the results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs). To ensure you receive an accurate rating, it’s essential that your symptoms and their impact on your daily life are thoroughly documented during your C&P exam.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Points
- Preparation is Mission Critical: Knowing what to expect and how to prepare for your C&P exam is essential to ensure you receive the accurate VA rating and compensation for your asthma.
- Asthma and Service Connection: Asthma, common among veterans, is often linked to military service exposures like dust, chemicals, and burn pits, making it a frequently claimed VA disability.
- C&P Exam Focus Areas: During the exam, expect an assessment of your medical history, the service connection of your asthma, and the impact of symptoms on your daily life, work, and social interactions, supported by tests like PFTs.
- VA Ratings for Asthma: The VA rates asthma under Diagnostic Code 6602, with ratings ranging from 10% to 100%, with breaks at 30% and 60%. These ratings are based on the severity and frequency of symptoms, the need for medication, and pulmonary function test (PFT) results. Higher ratings correspond to more severe impairment and greater impact on your work, life, and social functioning.
Purpose of a C&P Exam for Asthma
A C&P exam for asthma focuses on three main areas:
- #1. Medical Diagnosis Confirmation: The examiner will verify whether you have been diagnosed with asthma. This involves reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and any relevant diagnostic tests, such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The goal is to confirm the presence and current status of asthma.
- #2. Nexus for Service Connection: The examiner will assess whether your asthma is connected to your military service. This includes evaluating if the condition was caused or aggravated by your active-duty military service. Thanks to the PACT Act, asthma is now recognized on the VA’s presumptive list for conditions linked to environmental exposures, such as burn pits or other toxic substances, making it easier to establish service connection for affected veterans.
- #3. Severity of Symptoms Assessment: The examiner will evaluate the frequency, severity, and duration of your asthma symptoms. This includes considering how often you experience symptoms, your need for medication (e.g., inhalers, corticosteroids), and the impact of your condition on your work and daily life. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) results are also reviewed to assess lung function and the overall severity of asthma.
What to Expect During Your Asthma VA C&P Exam
Here’s what you can expect on exam day:
- Review of Medical History: The examiner will carefully review your medical records, focusing on past diagnoses, treatments, and evaluations related to your asthma. This includes looking at any previous pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and prescribed medications.
- Discussion of Symptoms: You’ll discuss when your asthma symptoms first appeared, how frequently you experience them, and their severity. Be prepared to talk about any instances of shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, or coughing, and how these symptoms affect your daily life.
- Impact on Daily Life: You’ll need to explain how asthma impacts your ability to work, perform daily activities, and engage in social situations. Specific examples, such as missing work or avoiding certain activities due to asthma, can help illustrate the condition’s impact on your life.
- Physical Examination: The examiner will likely conduct a physical exam to assess your respiratory system. They may listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to detect wheezing or other abnormal sounds that could indicate the presence and severity of asthma.
- Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT): PFTs are often a key part of diagnosing and evaluating asthma. If not done recently, the examiner might order a PFT during or after the C&P exam to measure your lung function and determine the extent of any airway obstruction.
- Completion of the Respiratory Conditions DBQ: The examiner will record their findings on the Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) for Respiratory Conditions. This document is crucial as it summarizes your condition and is used by the VA to determine your disability rating.
Questions You May Be Asked During a C&P Exam for Asthma
Here are some potential questions a veteran might be asked during a C&P exam for asthma, based on the VA’s DBQ for Respiratory Conditions:
Have you been officially diagnosed with asthma?
The examiner will confirm your diagnosis and may ask about the date and circumstances of the diagnosis.
When did your asthma symptoms first appear, and how have they progressed over time?
You will be asked to provide a detailed history of your asthma, including when you first noticed symptoms and how they have changed or worsened.
What are your current asthma symptoms?
Describe your symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. The examiner will want to know how frequently these symptoms occur and their severity.
Do you require the use of corticosteroid medications for asthma?
If you use corticosteroids, be prepared to discuss whether they are low-dose maintenance medications, intermittent bursts, or high-dose therapies, and how often you use them.
Do you use inhaled medications, and if so, how often?
The examiner will ask about your use of inhaled medications, such as bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, including how often you need them (e.g., daily or intermittently).
Do you require the use of oral bronchodilators or antibiotics for asthma?
If so, you should discuss the types of medications, the dosage, and how often you need them.
Do you require outpatient oxygen therapy for asthma?
If you use oxygen therapy, explain whether it is continuous or intermittent, and how many hours per day you need it.
Have you had any asthma attacks with episodes of respiratory failure in the past 12 months?
You will need to describe the frequency and severity of any asthma attacks and whether any led to respiratory failure.
How often do you visit a physician for asthma exacerbations?
The examiner will inquire about the frequency of your doctor visits specifically for managing asthma flare-ups, including the severity of these exacerbations.
Have you undergone any pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and what were the results?
The examiner might ask about your most recent PFTs to assess your lung function and the severity of your asthma.
Which test result most accurately reflects your level of disability due to asthma?
The examiner may ask you to identify which specific PFT result best represents your disability level, such as FVC % predicted, FEV-1 % predicted, or FEV-1/FVC.
If post-bronchodilator testing was not completed, what was the reason?
You may be asked to explain why post-bronchodilator testing wasn’t performed, if applicable.
If diffusion capacity testing (DLCO) was not performed, what was the reason?
Similar to post-bronchodilator testing, you’ll need to explain why DLCO testing wasn’t conducted if that’s the case.
How does your asthma impact your ability to work?
The examiner will ask you to describe how your asthma affects your job performance and whether it limits your ability to perform certain tasks.
Can you provide specific examples of how asthma affects your daily activities?
Be prepared to discuss how asthma interferes with your daily life, such as difficulties in exercising, completing household chores, or socializing.
Have you had to modify your lifestyle or activities due to asthma?
You may be asked if you’ve had to make any lifestyle changes to manage your asthma symptoms.
Does your asthma require regular monitoring or ongoing medical care?
Discuss how often you need to see a healthcare provider to manage your asthma, including any ongoing treatments or therapies.
Have you had any imaging studies, such as a chest x-ray or CT scan, related to your asthma?
If you’ve undergone imaging studies, the examiner will ask about the results and whether they reflect your current condition.
Have you been diagnosed with any other respiratory conditions in addition to asthma?
If applicable, you will need to discuss any other respiratory conditions and how they interact with your asthma.
Do you experience any cardiopulmonary complications related to your asthma, such as cor pulmonale or pulmonary hypertension?
The examiner will want to know if your asthma has led to any heart or lung complications.
How to Prepare for Your VA Asthma C&P Exam
Here’s some tips to help you prepare for your VA C&P exam for asthma:
- Gather Records and Documents: Collect all relevant medical records, including previous diagnoses, treatments, and pulmonary function test results. Bring these documents to your exam for reference and to ensure the examiner has a complete understanding of your asthma history.
- Track Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your asthma symptoms in the weeks leading up to your exam. Note the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms, as well as any specific triggers, such as exercise, allergens, or environmental factors. This will help you clearly communicate the impact of your asthma during the exam.
- List Functional Impacts: Be prepared to discuss how asthma affects your daily life, including your ability to work, exercise, and participate in social activities. Specific examples of how your condition limits your daily functioning will help the examiner understand the full impact of your asthma.
- Review the Respiratory Conditions DBQ: Familiarize yourself with the DBQ for respiratory conditions, particularly the sections related to asthma. Understanding what the examiner will be looking for can help you provide clear and relevant information during your exam.
How Asthma Can Impact Your Work, Life, and Social Functioning
Here’s some common examples of how asthma can negatively affect your work, life, and social functioning:
- Work Limitations: Asthma may restrict your ability to perform physically demanding jobs, particularly those involving exposure to environmental triggers like dust, fumes, or cold air. Frequent asthma attacks or the need for medication can lead to missed workdays, impacting job performance and career advancement.
- Exercise and Physical Activity: Engaging in regular exercise or physical activities can be challenging with asthma, especially activities that require endurance, such as running or hiking. Symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing can limit your ability to stay fit or participate in sports, affecting both your physical health and overall well-being.
- Social Interactions: Asthma symptoms can interfere with social activities, especially in environments where allergens or smoke are present. The fear of an asthma attack might lead you to avoid certain social situations, resulting in isolation and a diminished quality of life.
- Sleep Disruption: Asthma symptoms, such as coughing or shortness of breath at night, can disrupt your sleep, leading to fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes. Poor sleep quality can further aggravate the overall impact of asthma on your daily life.
- Household Responsibilities: Asthma may limit your ability to perform certain household chores, particularly those involving exposure to dust, strong cleaning chemicals, or physical exertion. This can lead to reliance on others for help and a decreased sense of independence.
- Travel and Mobility Limitations: Asthma can make it difficult to travel, particularly to areas with poor air quality or high altitudes. Veterans may have to plan their travel around their condition, avoiding certain destinations or activities that could trigger an attack.
- Reduced Participation in Hobbies or Interests: Veterans with asthma may find that their condition limits their ability to engage in hobbies or recreational activities they once enjoyed, such as gardening, woodworking, or outdoor sports. This loss can diminish their overall quality of life.
By sharing detailed examples like these during your C&P exam, you enable the examiner to grasp the full impact of asthma on your daily life, helping to ensure a more accurate assessment of your condition.
DBQ for Asthma [Download]
The VA DBQ for Respiratory Conditions, including asthma, will be completed electronically by the C&P examiner during your exam.
To better prepare for your exam, you can download a copy of the DBQ below to familiarize yourself with the specific questions and information that will be documented during the evaluation:
About the Author
Brian Reese
Brian Reese is a world-renowned VA disability benefits expert and the #1 bestselling author of VA Claim Secrets and You Deserve It. Motivated by his own frustration with the VA claim process, Brian founded VA Claims Insider to help disabled veterans secure their VA disability compensation faster, regardless of their past struggles with the VA. Since 2013, he has positively impacted the lives of over 10 million military, veterans, and their families.
A former active-duty Air Force officer, Brian has extensive experience leading diverse teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour in Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from the United States Air Force Academy and earned his MBA from Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business, where he was a National Honor Scholar, ranking in the top 1% of his class.
