So I applied to be put onto the list and have my palmonary appointment this month. What should I be expecting? I thought because I was in a war zone it was presumed but I guess I was wrong.
I went through a complete reevaluation with appointments at a contracted service. My disability was increased by 30% as a result.
So how’d you go about doing that?
I was confused about the PACT act increasing disability, got clarification from the VA that one of two things has to happen:
- Increase in disability (symptoms getting worse)
Or
- New disability claimed under new conditions expanded under the PACT act.
First you want to setup an appointment with a Veteran Service Organization (VSO)representative at the VA or a Veteran support agency. They will help you setup things for your claim. Next the VA will schedule your appointments to address your claim. After that they will do an assessment and adjust your disability accordingly.
You’ll get spammed with calls from the company they contracted to make 2 appointments, an initial intake exam and an evaluation (for each claim).
Depending on where you live, you’ll have to go to one of the offices the contractor is affiliated with (this is some bullshit imo).
For pulmonary, you’ll get some x-rays and take a pulmonary function test (PFT). You’ll sit in a little plastic box, clip your nose shut, and have a series* of breathing tests where they’ll measure air in and out.
Depending on those, you’ll get a rating.
I literally did that with the VA and they said I have breading issues in my air ways. Now they want me to go to another person and waste money?
I guess they want a second opinion? They have a review board that looks over your results and makes those decisions.
I only did that test once with them so idk.