Vync,
Thank you for your reply. I feel fortunate that there are vets out there that have experience in this that are willing to give advice.
After looking at my rating, my DAV rep said the 0% meant that I was service-connected, but that I also should get a nexus statement from my civilian doctor. I took your advice and downloaded my VA medical record using the "blue button." Here is what the C&P doctor wrote:
"The veteran does not have an undiagnosed illness,but DOES HAVE a diagnosible but medically unexplained chronic multi-system illness of unknown etiology,specifically IBS. He does not have a diagnosible chronic multi-system illness with a partially explained etiology.He does have other issues with his shoulder and back with a clear and specific etiology and diagnosis.The veteran DOES HAVE a SW Asia chronic disability pattern,specifically irritable bowel syndrome."
Additionally, I thought that gulf war veterans with IBS were automatically given presumptive service-connection.
I went to my civilian doctor and he is doing the VA Form 21-0960G-3 and a nexus statement (just in case). After reviewing my C&P exam that I downloaded from Blue Button I believe I know why the rater gave me a zero. I think the doctor checked the wrong box. As you can read above it is clear that my doctor says I have IBS. He writes about my 3-4 instances each day. He writes about alternating diarrhea and constipation. Then, inconsistent with the above he checks NO for the following question:
Does the Veteran have episodes of bowel disturbance with abdominal distress, or exacerbations or attacks of the intestinal condition?
I hope that this can be cleared up by my civilian doctor checking the correct boxes on the form and clearly stating my symptoms.
After getting my feet wet with all of this I realized (and my civilian doctor mentioned) that my hemorrhoids and my diverticulosis may be secondary conditions caused by my IBS. He said he is willing to fill out the appropriate paperwork for those ratings as well.
My question is should I also turn in the paperwork for the diverticulosis and hemorrhoids with the IBS reconsideration or do it separately after my IBS reconsideration?
Thanks,
JT
U.S. Army (1984-2004)