I suspect that experienced Doctors can look at MRIs and XRays and determine extent of lung damage, and whether or not it is permanent without having to wait to re-assess some number of months later..
Yes one can get a feel for these things when a doc sees them over a number of years but even damaged lungs can recoup some extra capacity over time (with breathing exercises and mild physical exercise) as long as the owner doesn’t do anything stupid to further cause them harm. I was going to add something like your comment to my posting but I decided to post a shorter more general rule that we see generally verified in the medical profession in which I work(not as a doc personally but an ICU RN and in the practice for 34 years).
Point goes to you!