right ventricular hypertrophy has been diagnosed have been one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure, or outpatient oxygen therapy is required. Notes: If a maximum exercise capacity test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria. A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension requires objective documentation by an echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization. For more information on when PFTs are required, see . Reference: j. Assigning The table below contains instructions for assigning disability evaluations based Disability on the results of PFTs. Evaluations Based on the Results of PFTs If… And… Then … PFTs are not consistent the examiner evaluate based on PFTs. does not with clinical findings state why PFTs are not a valid indication of respiratory disability PFTs are not consistent the examiner states evaluate on with clinical findings why PFTs are not a alternative criteria. valid indication of respiratory disability there is a disparity the evaluation would use the test result that between PFT results differ depending on the examiner states most (Forced Expiratory the test result used accurately reflects the Volume in one second level of disability. (FEV-1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO)) FEV-1 is greater than FVC is greater than do not assign a 100 percent 100 percent compensable evaluation based on a decreased FEV-1/FVC ratio. DLCO is not of record the examiner states evaluate based on why DLCO would not alternative criteria. be useful or valid
right ventricular hypertrophy has been diagnosed have been one or more episodes of acute respiratory failure, or outpatient oxygen therapy is required. Notes: If a maximum exercise capacity test is not of record, evaluate based on alternative criteria. A diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension requires objective documentation by an echocardiogram or cardiac catheterization. Reference: For more information on when PFTs are required, see . j. Assigning Disability Evaluations Based on the Results of PFTs The table below contains instructions for assigning disability evaluations based on the results of PFTs. If… And… Then … PFTs are not consistent with clinical findings the examiner does not state why PFTs are not a valid indication of respiratory disability evaluate based on PFTs. PFTs are not consistent with clinical findings the examiner states why PFTs are not a valid indication of respiratory disability evaluate on alternative criteria. there is a disparity between PFT results (Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV-1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO)) the evaluation would differ depending on the test result used use the test result that the examiner states most accurately reflects the level of disability. FEV-1 is greater than 100 percent FVC is greater than 100 percent do not assign a compensable evaluation based on a decreased FEV-1/FVC ratio. DLCO is not of record the examiner states why DLCO would not be useful or valid evaluate based on alternative criteria.
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