Peripheral Vascular Conditions

Tables 1.2 and 1.3 are to be applied to assess those conditions that affect exercise tolerance from a cardiorespiratory point of view. Peripheral vascular conditions typically cause loss of function of the lower limbs only and therefore are to be assessed under lower limb impairment (using Chapter 3).

Atherosclerosis frequently causes both a cardiorespiratory condition and a peripheral vascular condition. In such cases, if both types of conditions are accepted conditions, then both conditions are to be rated using the appropriate assessment procedure.

The rating of asthma depends on the clinical circumstances. If asthma has caused chronic airways obstruction the method of assessment described in this chapter is to be applied. If there is little fixed obstruction and a large reversible component, the rating is to be based on the occurrence of attacks using the method of intermittent impairment (Chapter 15). Asthma can also be rated, if there is minimal loss of function, from Table 1.10.