ptsd Verbally denied GWI

[DocC03]

This is what an highly regarded environmental specialist had to say in my medical records. Since then I keep getting told that gulf war illness in not a real diagnosis. What do I do to get my docs to take this seriously? What can I do?

 

We talked about your exposures during your military service including your deployment(s) to Iraq You indicated that you were exposed to Burn pits, chemicals from industrial plant, exposure to organophosphates and unknown chemicals from manufacturing facility and Uranium. You would like to know whether your exposure(s)are related to development, migraines, fatigue, joint pain, PTSD, and DJD. The remainder of this discussion focuses on exposure concerns and their possible relationship to current health issues.

GULF WAR ILLNESS- Based on your description of your health issues and your exposures during your military service, your current symptoms and medical condition are consistent with, and meet the criteria for the VA case definition for Gulf War Illness/Syndrome. The VA case definition for Gulf War Syndrome is as follows: A medical condition affecting some veterans of the Gulf War, characterized by fatigue, headache, joint pain, skin rashes, nausea, dizziness, and respiratory disorders, and attributed to reactions to prophylactic drugs and vaccines, infectious diseases, or exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, radiation, and smoke from oil fires. For more information, please see - Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses. Gulf War Illness and the Health of Gulf War Veterans

[Guest]

Claim the symptoms, Migraines, Fibromyalgia, IBS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Skin Disorder. Whatever the condition you feel are connected to your time served either in service or time deployed but keep in mind that you will still need some type of diagnosis.

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/medically-unexplained-illness.asp

Edited March 18, 2016 by pete992

[DocC03]

Pete,

Thank you. I tried claiming the symptoms and was told they would not do a C&P for that since it was Gulf war illness.

I have a diagnosis of Gulf War Illness and an ICD code 9. On top of my problem list of diagnosis in my medical records it says Gulf war illness. 

They wouldn't do a C&P for this diagnosis. I went to the C&P and the only thing they wod discuss was problems that could not be linked to GWI. 

I tried to bring up the symptoms of this and I kept getting told that he was not authorized to talk about that stuff. He could only discuss what was in the list and even though I claimed the symptoms as well as Gulf war illness he would not talk these as they were not on the list.

[Berta]

I have made this point here many times and it bears repeating.

If a veteran claims Gulf war illness or Gulf War Syndrome, without elaborating on what illnesses  they have, that conform to the medically unexplained illnesses  and/or rest of the  criteria of the Gulf War regulations, the VA can deny the claim.

 

Pete posted the link to the info you need.

 

[Guest]

5 hours ago, DocC03 said:

Pete,

Thank you. I tried claiming the symptoms and was told they would not do a C&P for that since it was Gulf war illness.

I have a diagnosis of Gulf War Illness and an ICD code 9. On top of my problem list of diagnosis in my medical records it says Gulf war illness. 

They wouldn't do a C&P for this diagnosis. I went to the C&P and the only thing they wod discuss was problems that could not be linked to GWI. 

I tried to bring up the symptoms of this and I kept getting told that he was not authorized to talk about that stuff. He could only discuss what was in the list and even though I claimed the symptoms as well as Gulf war illness he would not talk these as they were not on the list.

Doc, I am a little confused. You claimed fibromyalgia, migraines, CFS, IBS and you had a diagnosis and a nexus statement/letter and VA would not give you a C & P exam.  Remember that VA does not consider GWI a symptom, there is no rating for it under 38 CFR part 4. Always keep in mind there are always more then one way to skin a cat and you can always file claims as secondary to your already service connected conditions.

This may help.

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se38.1.3_1317&rgn=div8 

[DocC03]

Pete,

Thank you. I filed fibro, CFS, IBS, Gerd/dyspepsia, chronic unexplained illness, and GWI. I filed these understanding that GWI is not something they rate for but looking at the writing on the wall I wanted it documented that I filed for it as an actual condition so it would be in my records.

I expected to be denied for GWI on the basis of not being able to rate for it.

I was given a C&P that was supposed to cover all these. The P.A. understandably dismissed Fibro since I don't have that diagnosis, specialist said it looks like Fibro bug not conclusive.

C&P P.A. dismissed IBS said it was setting in my colon and not IBS. 

Concurred with GERD but said it was from getting older not Iraq. 

Would not discuss CFS even though I have this as a solid diagnosis.

Would not discuss skin infections even though this was linked solidly to GWI

Would not discuss the diagnosis of GWI, I guess because they don't rate for it.

Only a couple generic questions for headaches even though I did not claim it. I am rated at 50% already for headaches. 

D.A.V. called today and said I would have a C&P in the next few weeks for headaches because the V.A. is looking at my rating for headaches on their own.

Hope this clarifies a little.

[Guest]

 If you have diagnosis for these conditions then you are going to need to file a NOD. If you do not have diagnosis then you will need to get IMOs/IMEs and then file a NOD.  You have one year from the date that your decision was issued.