jstone14

Hello all, I currently have a claim pending for IBS due to my service in the Gulf War (associated with environmental hazard option for some reason). I have recently been diagnosed by my private physician as having IBS. As far as I am aware, I have met all of the presumptive requirements for claiming IBS (1. Diagnosis, 2. Service in Gulf War). I typed a statement in support of my claim stating I have met all of the requirements for IBS as being a presumptive disability related to the Gulf War. I had my private physician fill out a DBQ for me regarding this claim, but it wasn't filled out in a way that would help my claim at all. In the DBQ, he stated I developed IBS symptoms in the "early teenage years" and date of diagnosis >10 years. I never saw him for IBS issues, and I am currently 27 years old. The DBQ states I am currently taking a trial prescription and that I have "episodes of bowel disturbance with FREQUENT abdominal issues 7 or more attacks within the past 12 months. In my statement I sent the VA, I expressed that IBS issues did not occur until during and after my service in Iraq. The DBQ and my statement contradict each other by the way the form was filled out. I will not be sending in the DBQ for obvious reasons. My questions is this. I need to show the VA that I have been diagnosed by my doctor as having IBS. Would you suggest releasing authorization for the VA to access my private physician records to verify the diagnosis, as well as not send in the DBQ I got from him? I have the diagnosis and want the VA to connect the diagnosis and my service in Gulf War. Both of which I have been told are the two requirements for presumptive disability, and no service connected proof is needed. Thanks for the help.

Great, good stress reliever. Thank you all for the replies!

Hello all, I have an open claim for IBS. I found some very helpful templates on here for writing a statement in support of my claim. While using ebenefits, I made a pretty dumb mistake and submitted another veteran's template statement for IBS instead of mine. I followed up by submitting my actual statement and explained to disregard the initial document submittal. Not sure why ebenefits doesn't have a delete document or view document option. I followed the same format on the template, but it is not a word for word copy. Feel like an idiot, as this may discredit me to the rep. that looks over my documents and claim. Any advice? Much appreciated!