- Pectus excavatum is not a “disability” for VA compensation purposes.
- 38 C.F.R. §§ 3.303(c), 4.9.
- Congenital or developmental defects may not be service-connected because they are not diseases or injuries under the law.
Thus, Does pectus excavatum disqualify military? Service connection for pectus excavatum is denied. Service connection for a lung and respiratory disorder, as secondary to congenital pectus excavatum, is denied.
Additionally Is pectus excavatum serious? If pectus excavatum is not severe, you might only notice a small indentation in the chest. However, if it is more severe, the area around the sternum can look like it has been dented in several inches. Very severe cases of pectus excavatum can compress the lungs and heart, causing serious health risks.
Is pectus excavatum genetic? There is no known cause for pectus excavatum. It can sometimes run in families — which suggests genetics may play a role. Pectus excavatum can also be associated with connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome.
Does pectus excavatum affect lung capacity? Pectus excavatum can compromise lung and heart capacity, especially when the condition is severe, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a fast heartbeat. In some cases, the proximity of the sternum and the pulmonary artery may cause a heart murmur.
Can you join the Air Force with pectus excavatum?
Current or history of bullous or generalized pulmonary emphysema (492) is disqualifying. i. Current chest wall malformation (754), including, but not limited to pectus excavatum (754.81), or pectus carinatum (754.82), if these conditions interfere with vigorous physical exertion, is disqualifying.
Why is there a divot in my chest?
Pectus excavatum is an abnormal development of the rib cage in which the sternum (breastbone) grows inward, resulting in a noticeable and sometimes severe indentation of the chest wall.
What is funnel chest caused from?
Pectus excavatum is a congenital chest wall deformity that is caused by growth abnormality of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This causes a depression of the sternum and the chest has a “sunken in” or “funnel chest” appearance. The condition affects more boys than girls.
Can I join the Army with pectus excavatum?
Current chest wall malformation (754), including, but not limited to pectus excavatum (754.81), or pectus carinatum (754.82), if these conditions interfere with vigorous physical exertion, is disqualifying.
Why are people born with pectus excavatum?
Pectus excavatum is due to too much growth of the connective tissue that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). This causes the sternum to grow inward. As a result, there is a depression in the chest over the sternum, which may appear quite deep.
Are you born with pectus excavatum?
Pectus excavatum is a relatively common congenital deformity (a defect that is present at birth) in which the chest appears sunken. The condition is sometimes called concave chest or funnel chest. The deformity can become more visible as your child grows up, especially during puberty.
What is considered severe pectus excavatum?
A Haller index between 2 and 3.2 is considered a mild deformity; between 3.2 and 3.5, moderate.; 3.5 or greater, a severe deformity.
What age should you fix pectus excavatum?
We recommend surgical repair at around 12–14 years of age since the chest wall is still typically flexible and because this allows us to keep the bar in place as the patient progresses through puberty which may help decrease growth-related recurrences.
When does pectus excavatum stop worse?
The deformity of the chest wall is often noticed at birth, but becomes more pronounced in adolescents. After the age of 18 years, the deformity usually does not change anymore.
What age does pectus excavatum occur?
Symptoms of Pectus Excavatum You may see a small dent in your child’s chest when they are of grade school age. Often it gets worse at about the time a child starts puberty (age 12 to 14 years). Pectus excavatum does not always cause other symptoms, especially before the teen years.
How do you fix pectus excavatum without surgery?
The best way to treat pectus excavatum without surgery is to work on improving the mobility of your thorax, stretching and strengthening the muscles in your chest and back, and maintaining appropriate posture.
