Gulf War Veterans

[pacmanx1]

Disability examinations of Gulf War veterans have unique requirements because this group of veterans is eligible for compensation not only for disability due to diagnosed illnesses, but also for disability due to undiagnosed illnesses. An undiagnosed illness is established when findings are present that cannot be attributed to a known, clearly defined diagnosis, after all likely diagnostic possibilities for such abnormalities have been ruled out. Examiners should follow the guidelines in the "Handout of Instructions for Compensation and Pension Examinations" but will also need to request more laboratory tests and specialists’ examinations than average in these cases.

Guidelines

1. Thoroughly review the claims file.

2. Address all conditions and symptoms specified on the examination request

and also address all additional conditions and symptoms that you can elicit from the veteran during the examination, even if not specified on the request form.

3. Conduct a comprehensive general medical examination, following the AMIE General Medical Examination worksheet. For all conditions and symptoms which the General Medical Examination worksheet does not address in detail, follow the appropriate additional AMIE worksheets, and request specialists’ examinations as indicated. Provide details about the onset, frequency, duration, and severity of

all complaints and state what precipitates and what relieves them.

4. List all diagnosed conditions and state which symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results are associated with

each. If all symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results are associated with a diagnosed condition, additional specialist examinations for diagnostic purposes are not needed. Diagnosed conditions will be handled as standard claims for service connection. Symptom-based "diagnoses" such as (but not limited to) myalgia, arthralgia, headache, and diarrhea, are not considered as diagnosed conditions for compensation purposes.

5. However, if there are symptoms, abnormal physical findings, or abnormal laboratory test results that have not been determined to be part of a known clinical diagnosis, further specialist examinations will be required to address these findings.

6. Provide the specialist with all examination reports and test results. Specify the symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results that have

not been attributed

to a known clinical diagnosis. Request that the specialist determine which of these, if any, can be attributed in this veteran to a known clinical diagnosis and which, if any,

cannot be attributed in this veteran to a known clinical diagnosis.

7. After the specialists’ examinations have been completed, and all laboratory test results received, make a final report providing a list of diagnosed conditions. Separately list all symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results that cannot be attributed to a known clinical diagnosis. Reconcile all differences among the examiners, by consultation or workgroup as necessary, before the examination is returned to the regional office.

If a veteran was treated for the symptoms of gulf war while still on active duty and have SMRs to prove it. Then he or she can be service connected for the diagnosed symptoms/illness. Keep in mind that these symptoms must be medically determined to be chronic.

This post is not to start a debate or argument, just trying to pass information on.

[63SIERRA]

good find Pete

[spr322]

Ets'd in 92, just getting in the system, signed up for Gulf War registry, Comp and Pen hearing Friday @ the West Haven Ct VA, just introducing myself, giving status update

[Jon1371]

I didn't even remember that I had one of those physicals. I think I just got my c-file and it's in there. I listed 30 hazardous exposures. Don't know if it will make a hill of beans difference but it's on record now and I have a copy.