Common Respiratory Conditions Among Veterans and the Importance of Medical Evidence

If you are a veteran who was exposed to burn pits, contaminated drink water, or other hazards during your service, it is possible that you developed breathing issues due to your proximity to these harmful substances. If you have been diagnosed with a respiratory condition, disability benefits through the VA might be available.

Understanding the respiratory conditions is the first step towards a successful disability claim, but you’ll need more than that to recover benefits. Medical evidence is crucial for getting the rating you deserve, and the team at Elite Medical Review Associates is here to help you reach your goal.

The Most Common Respiratory Conditions Among Veterans

There are different types of breathing problems that can impact a veteran after their service is over. For some, these symptoms might manifest immediately. Others may not develop them for months or years. Together, the most common respiratory conditions among veterans include:

Asthma

Asthma is a type of respiratory condition where a veteran’s airways are restricted due to inflammation. As a person’s airways become restricted due to inflammation, it becomes harder and harder for them to breathe. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Each person is impacted by asthma differently. For some it is a minor condition, while others could face much more severe consequences.

Constrictive Bronchiolitis

This condition, which is often called CB, is a small airway fibrotic respiratory disease. It is best characterized by a persistent cough and dyspnea due to inflammation in some of the smaller airways. Constrictive bronchitis is often difficult to diagnose, in part because of how uncommon the condition is. Identifying this illness is complicated by the lack of signs of poor pulmonary functions. In most cases, only a lung biopsy will be enough to secure a diagnosis.

Rhinitis

Rhinitis is a type of allergic response. When allergens—the substances that cause these reactions—are ingested, the body’s response can be harsh. Some of the most common examples of these allergens include pollen or dust. You could receive up to a 30 percent disability rating if your rhinitis also resulted in polyps.                                     

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder that can lead to serious, life-altering consequences. If left untreated, it could prove to be fatal. This condition involves a person having their sleep disrupted multiple times in the night due to an inability to breathe. This condition can stem from other disabilities like insomnia and obesity. In the worst cases, a veteran might experience chronic respiratory failure.

Nexus Letters are Important Evidence for Veterans Seeking Disability Benefits

There are three important elements needed to make a successful case for disability benefits through the VA. First, you will need to establish that you have a current diagnosis of a respiratory condition or breathing problem. Second, you must establish the existence of an in-service event that occurred during the course of your military career. Third, you need a link between that event and your condition. This is known as a nexus, and it is often the most difficult aspect of proving a VA disability claim.

Does This Letter Have to be Written by a Doctor?

There are other medical professionals who could author a nexus letter other than a doctor. However, it is vital that the person that writes the letter has experience treating your specific disability.

Doctors are often available to author a nexus letter, and specialists will even make themselves available in some cases. That said, many nexus letters are authored by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. While they are not licensed doctors, they have extensive medical training that gives them the ability to provide a valuable opinion on the cause of a disability. Chiropractors may even be able to help when it comes to issues like back pain, but they are not generally appropriate for a letter related to respiratory issues.

How Do I Find a Doctor to Write a Nexus Letter?

One of the most difficult aspects of developing medical evidence in support of your disability claim is finding a doctor willing to write a letter on your behalf. The VA will accept letters from any physician licensed in the United States, but the reality is that many are unable or unwilling to help. Some doctors would prefer to spend their time assisting patients and treating diseases. Others may work for a private medical group that does not allow their physicians to offer opinions on VA-related claims.

Many veterans receive their primary care from doctors hired by the VA. While it might seem natural to seek their help, these doctors will generally not agree to write a letter on your behalf. The VA discourages its physicians from offering medical opinions in disability cases outside of the scope of a C & P exam.

The good news is that help is available. The team at Elite Medical Review Associates is here to help you match with a medical professional that understands your condition. We have connections with a wide range of doctors, specialists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants throughout the country, and we will work tirelessly to help you get the strong letter your case needs.

Let Elite Medical Review Associates Help

While there are many different types of respiratory diseases, it can be difficult to establish their connection to your time in the military. Many VA disability claims are denied due to the lack of a nexus connection. Thankfully, you have options when it comes to building the strongest claim possible.

Whether you are filing an underlying claim or taking on an appeal, a nexus letter could make all the difference in your case. To get the strongest possible medical evidence in your case, contact Elite Medical Review Associates today to discuss your options.