C&p Examiners Notes For Cfs Increase

[Trigga]

Hey folks, I am currently rated 10% for CFS and filed for an increase a while back. I had a C&P exam a couple weeks ago and I just received the C&P examiners notes from release of information. Based on the examiners 3 comments below, does anyone have an educated guess as to what my new rating might be?

I have posted the rating criteria below, and I keep coming up with a 60% rating. Notice that the examiner states "to less than 25%" and not "by less than 25%"- makes a huge difference!

Thanks in advance for any comments you may provide,

Trigga.................

Examiners notes:

* " The veteran complains of decrease in activity of greater than 75% due to chronic fatigue syndrome."

* " The veterans symptoms restrict his routine daily activities to less than 25% of his pre-illness level."

* " The veteran experiences debilitating fatigue that is severe enough to reduce or impair his average daily activity to 25% of his pre-illness level."

Rating Criteria:

6354 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Debilitating fatigue, cognitive impairments (such as inability to concentrate, forgetfulness, confusion), or a combination of other signs and symptoms:

Which are nearly constant and so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely and which may occasionally preclude self-care...................100

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to less than 50 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least six weeks total duration per year.............................................. 60

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities to 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least four but less than six weeks total duration per year......................... 40

Which are nearly constant and restrict routine daily activities by less than 25 percent of the pre-illness level, or; which wax and wane, resulting in periods of incapacitation of at least two but less than four weeks total duration per year.........................20

Which wax and wane but result in periods of incapacitation of at least one but less than two weeks total duration per year, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication................................. 10

Note: For the purpose of evaluating this disability, the condition will be considered incapacitating only while it requires bed rest and treatment by a physician.

[john999]

Trigga

Does the VA grant the service connection for CFS because they presume you were exposed to some kind of poisonous gas? It is a miracle they grant this since Vietnam vets fought for years and years to get some diseases granted and we are still fighting and dying.

[Trigga]

John, currently VA authorizes presumption of service connection of 4 diagnosed conditions for Gulf War Vets due to exposures in theater. They are Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ALS(Lou Gerrigs Disease (spelling?).

There is also a presumptive list for "undiagnosed Illnesses" that VA authorizes presumptive service connection to GW vets for. I have pasted an update from the Warms Manual below that covers everything.

No one seems to know(or their not telling) what one cause is to blame for our illnesses. We were exposed to neuro toxins(nerve agents), anti-nerve agent medications, experimental vaccines, depleted uranium, oil well smoke, insecticides, etc. Personally, I believe it is due to a combination of all of the above. At any rate, fact is approx. 35-40% of us are seriously ill from serving in that war.

One of the reasons that I believe we have made so much headway over the past 16 years is the fact that we have had the support of MANY vietnam veterans (who also happen to be congressmen and senators) that have vowed to not let the same thing that happened to them with agent orange happen to us. Another, is the fact that the internet has provided us with a vast amount of information, including boards like hadit.com that provide a place for all of us to exchange ideas and information (thank you Tbird!).

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7.22 COMPENSATION FOR DISABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH GULF WAR SERVICE

a. Background.

(1) The Persian Gulf War Veterans’ Act. On November 2, 1994, Congress enacted the "Persian Gulf War Veterans' Benefits Act," Title I of the "Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994," Public Law 103-446. That statute added a new section 1117 to Title 38, United States Code, authorizing VA to compensate any Persian Gulf veteran suffering from a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness or combination of undiagnosed illnesses which became manifest either during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War, or to a degree of 10 percent or more within a presumptive period following service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

(2) The Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998. The “Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998”, Public Law 105-277 authorized VA to compensate Gulf War veterans for diagnosed or undiagnosed disabilities which are determined by VA regulation to warrant a presumption of service-connection based on a positive association with exposure to a toxic agent, environmental or wartime hazard, or preventive medication or vaccine associated with Gulf War service. This statute added section 1118 to Title 38, United States Code.

(3) The Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001. The “Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001,” Public Law 107-103, expanded the definition of “qualifying chronic disability” under 38 U.S.C 1117 to include, effective March 1, 2002, not only a disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, but also a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness that is defined by a cluster of signs and symptoms, and any diagnosed illness that is determined by VA regulation to warrant a presumption of service-connection.

(4) 38 CFR 3.317. Title 38 CFR 3.317, which implements 38 U.S.C. 1117, defines qualifying Gulf War service and qualifying chronic disability as well as establishes a broad but non-exclusive list of signs and symptoms which may be representative of undiagnosed or chronic multi-symptom illnesses for which compensation may be paid, and the presumptive period for service connection.

b. “Gulf War Veteran”. The term "Gulf War veteran" under 38 CFR 3.317 means a veteran who served on active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. The Gulf War extends from August 2, 1990, through a date yet to be determined by law or Presidential proclamation (38 U.S.C. 101(33). The Southwest Asia theater of operations includes:

Iraq

Kuwait

Saudi Arabia

The neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates

Bahrain

Qatar

Oman

The Gulf of Aden

The Gulf of Oman

The Persian Gulf

The Arabian Sea

The Red Sea

The airspace above these locations

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c. Qualifying Chronic Disability

(1) Definition. The term “qualifying chronic disability” under 38 CFR 3.317 means a chronic disability resulting from any of the following (or any combination of any of the following):

(a) An undiagnosed illness.

(b A medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome) that is defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms.

© Any diagnosed illness that is determined by VA regulation to warrant a presumption of service-connection.

(2) Signs or Symptoms of Illness. Title 38 CFR 3.317 specifies 13 categories of signs or symptoms that may be a manifestation of an undiagnosed illness or a chronic multi-symptom illness. They are listed below. However, the list of 13 illness categories is not exclusive. Signs or symptoms not represented by one of the listed categories can also qualify for consideration. If a disability is affirmatively shown to have resulted from a cause other than Gulf War service, however, it cannot be compensated under 38 CFR 3.317.

Abnormal weight loss

Cardiovascular signs or symptoms

Fatigue

Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms

Headache

Joint pain

Menstrual disorders

Muscle pain

Neurological signs or symptoms

Neuropsychological signs or symptoms

Signs or symptoms involving the respiratory system (upper and lower)

Signs and symptoms involving the skin

Sleep disturbances

(3) Chronicity. The claimed illness must be chronic. To fulfill the requirement for chronicity, the claimed illness must have persisted for a period of 6 months. Disabilities which are subject to intermittent episodes of improvement and worsening within a 6-month period would be considered chronic. The 6-month period of chronicity will be measured from the earliest date on which all pertinent evidence establishes that the signs or symptoms of the disability first became manifest.

d. Presumptive period for service connection. Title 38 CFR 3.317 establishes the presumptive period as beginning on the date following last performance of active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater during the Gulf War. This period extends through September 30, 2011.

e. Special Considerations for Undiagnosed Disability Claims

(1) Diagnostic Codes. In order to properly identify and track claimed undiagnosed disabilities, the following diagnostic code series beginning with "88" has been established. The 88 code will be the first element of a hyphenated analogous code. It will be assigned according to the body system of the analogous code which it precedes. (See subparagraph 9b.)

DIAGNOSTIC

CODE DESCRIPTION

8850-50__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASES

8851-51__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION—AMPUTATIONS

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8852-52__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--JOINTS, SKULL, AND RIBS

8853-53__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--MUSCLE INJURIES

8860-60__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--DISEASES OF THE EYE

8861-61__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--HEARING LOSS

8862-62__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--EAR AND OTHER SENSE ORGANS

8863-63__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--SYSTEMIC DISEASES

8865-65__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--NOSE AND THROAT

8866-66__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--TRACHEA AND BRONCHI

8867-67__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--TUBERCULOSIS

8868-68__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--LUNGS AND PLEURA

8870-70__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--HEART DISEASES

8871-71__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--ARTERIES AND VEINS

8872-72__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--UPPER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

8873-73__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--LOWER DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

8875-75__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--GENITOURINARY SYSTEM

8876-76__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--GYNECOLOGICAL SYSTEM

8877-77__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--HEMIC AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

8878-78__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--SKIN

8879-79__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

8880-80__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

8881-81__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--MISCELLANEOUS NEUROLOGICAL

8882-82__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--CRANIAL NERVE PARALYSIS

8883-83__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--CRANIAL NERVE NEURITIS

8884-84__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--CRANIAL NERVE NEURALGIA

8885-85__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PERIPHERAL NERVE PARALYSIS

8886-86__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PERIPHERAL NERVE NEURITIS

8887-87__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PERIPHERAL NERVE NEURALGIA

8889-89__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--EPILEPSIES

8892-92__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

8893-93__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--ORGANIC MENTAL

8894-94__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PSYCHONEUROTIC

8895-95__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGIC

8899-99__ UNDIAGNOSED CONDITION--DENTAL AND ORAL

(2) The Issue

(a) Issue for Consideration. State the issue for rating as "Service connection for [specify signs or symptoms] as due to an undiagnosed illness."

(b Single or Multiple Issues. The decision to rate multiple symptoms or signs separately or as a single disability will depend on the most favorable outcome to the veteran. Although rating multiple manifestations under a single body system will in most cases allow the maximum benefit, be alert to symptoms affecting fundamentally different body systems which may clearly warrant separate consideration. If service connection for several symptoms or signs is denied for the same reason, consider such symptoms and signs as a single issue. Whether granted or denied, assign one hyphenated diagnostic code in the coded conclusion to each issue which is separately considered.

(3) Evidence. If there is a disability due to the existence of an undiagnosed illness, generally there are three facts that must be established before service connection for an undiagnosed illness may be granted or denied: when the disability arose; whether the condition was of compensable severity (unless manifested while in the Southwest Asia theater); and whether the condition chronically persisted for at least six months.

(a) Medical and Lay Evidence. When the object of service connection is a diagnosed illness, medical findings are of paramount importance because a physician specializes in identifying disabilities through

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diagnoses. However, the concept of "objective indications" expressed in 38 CFR 3.317 makes clear that the evidence required for undiagnosed illnesses--illnesses which are outside the scope of medical understanding--is not so dependent on formal medical findings. The veteran's testimony to the effect that he or she is experiencing these symptoms, when combined with an examining physician's inability to make a diagnosis, may be sufficient to establish existence of the illness. Similarly a lay person's statement regarding the veteran's complaints beginning at a certain time, lasting for a certain duration, and having a particular level of severity may be adequate to establish the requirements for consideration. Non-medical indicators include such information as time lost from work, evidence that the veteran has sought medical treatment for his or her symptoms, evidence affirming situations such as a change in the veteran's appearance, physical abilities and mental or emotional attitude. Lay statements from knowledgeable individuals may be accepted as evidence providing objective indications if they support the conclusion that a disability exists.

(b Unnecessary Development. Lay evidence is credible if the person was in a position to know the alleged facts and if not contradicted by evidence of record which is more credible. Do not dismiss any evidence as "self-serving." It is reasonable to expect claimants to provide evidence which they believe is in their best interests. Similarly, unless there is affirmative reason to doubt the credibility of evidence, do not develop for corroboration. For example, if lay evidence alleges that the veteran lost a certain amount of time from employment, accept that statement without further development if otherwise credible.

© PGW Registry Examination. In all cases, ask the veteran if he or she had participated in the VHA Persian Gulf Health Registry and had been examined as part of the Registry, and where he or she was examined. If he or she has been examined, secure examination results from the VAMC.

(4) Future Examination. Because the course of an undiagnosed illness cannot be predicted, monitor the case by establishing a future examination control within 24 months of the last examination of record. At the expiration of the control, review the evidence of record to determine if a reexamination is necessary.

f. Decision. State the rating decision as "Service connection for _____ is denied," or "Service connection for _____ is granted with an evaluation of _____ percent effective _____ ." The earliest effective date for entitlement to service connection under 38 CFR 3.317 is November 2, 1994.

g. Reasons For Decision

(1) Granted. Service connection established under 38 CFR 3.317 is considered service connection for purposes of all laws.

(a) During Active Duty. Service connection will be established if the qualifying chronic disability (as defined in subparagraph 7.22c(1)) became manifest, whether to a compensable degree or not, while the claimant was on active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. Include the following sentence in the "Reasons and Bases" or “Analysis” section of the rating if service connection is established under this circumstance: "Service connection is established for _____ (or for _____ as due to an undiagnosed illness) which began in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War."

(b During Presumptive Period. Service connection will be established if the qualifying chronic disability arose to a compensable degree after the veteran last served in the Southwest Asia theater during the Gulf War, regardless of the veteran's active duty status at the time. If service connection is established during the presumptive period, include the following statement in the "Reasons and Bases" or “Analysis”: "Service connection may be presumed for qualifying disabilities resulting from undiagnosed or diagnosed illnesses which arose to a compensable degree after service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. Service connection for _____ has been granted on the basis of this presumption."

(2) Evaluation by Analogy

(a) Evaluate the level of impairment of chronic undiagnosed disabilities by analogy to an existing diagnostic code in the rating schedule (38 CFR 4.27). Precede a discussion of the evaluation criteria and next

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higher level in the “Reasons for Decision” with the following statement: "Since the disability at issue does not have its own evaluation criteria assigned in VA regulations, a closely related disease or injury was used for this purpose."

(b The RSVR will use a hyphenated diagnostic code as described in subparagraph 7.22e(1) for undiagnosed disabilities. For the second code, use the diagnostic code that most closely fits the evaluating criteria. Examples of analogies for the 13 signs or symptoms found in 38 CFR 3.317 are provided below. However, use of analogies is not limited to this list.

Abnormal weight loss, 8873-7328 (resection of intestine);

Cardiovascular signs or symptoms, 8870-7013 (tachycardia), 8870-7005 (ASHD);

Fatigue, 8863-6354 (chronic fatigue syndrome), 8877-7700 (anemia);

Gastrointestinal signs or symptoms, 8873-7305 (ulcer), 8873-7319 (irritable bowel syndrome);

Headache, 8881-8100 (migraine headaches);

Joint pain, 8850-5002 (rheumatoid arthritis);

Menstrual disorders, 8876-7622 (uterus displacement);

Muscle pain, 8850-5021 (myositis);

Neurologic signs or symptoms, 8885-85__ (peripheral neuropathy);

Neuropsychological signs or symptoms, 8893-9300 (organic mental disorder);

Signs or symptoms involving the respiratory system (upper or lower), 8865-65__, 8866-66__, 8868-68__ (respiratory system);

Signs and symptoms involving the skin, 8878-7806 (eczema);

Sleep disturbances, 8894-9400 (generalized anxiety).

© Denied. Begin a discussion of any denial in the "Reasons and Bases" or “Analysis” with a description of the general requirements for service connection under 38 CFR 3.317: "Service connection may be established for qualifying chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness that is defined by a cluster of signs or symptoms, or a diagnosed illness that is determined by VA regulation to warrant a presumption of service connection which became manifest either during active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War, or to a degree of 10 percent or more after the date on which the veteran last performed service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War."

1. Diagnosed Illnesses. A condition having a known clinical diagnosis cannot be favorably considered for service connection under 38 CFR 3.317 unless it meets the criteria for qualifying chronic disability shown in subparagraph 7.22c, but it will receive consideration for service connection under other provisions. If service connection is denied, include the following language in the "Reasons and Bases" or “Analysis”: "Service connection for _____ is denied because this disability is determined to result from a known clinical diagnosis of _____ , which neither occurred in nor was caused or aggravated by service."

2. Illness Not Chronic. The fact that a claimed disability is not found on last VA examination does not necessarily preclude entitlement under 38 CFR 3.317. The requirement for chronicity is fulfilled if the disability has persisted for at least 6 months. Disabilities subject to episodic improvement and worsening within a 6-month period are considered chronic. If the disability does not meet the 6-month requirement, include the following statement under “Reasons for Decision”: "The disability must have persisted for a period of at least 6 months. Service connection for _____ is denied since this disability was first manifested on _____ and lasted less than 6 months."

3. Attributable to Some Other Etiology. Service connection under 38 CFR 3.317 cannot be established if there is affirmative evidence that the illness was not incurred during active service or was caused by some intercurrent circumstance. Affirmative evidence that the illness is caused by willful misconduct or alcohol or drug abuse will also preclude entitlement. Include the following statement under “Reasons for

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Decision,” if service connection is denied on this basis: "Service connection under this provision is precluded if there is affirmative evidence that the disability was unrelated to service in the Gulf War. Service connection for _____ is denied because evidence established that this disability resulted from _____ ."

4. Illness not shown by the evidence of record. There is no evidence that the condition ever existed.

5. Qualifying Chronic Disability Less than 10 Percent. In order to qualify for service connection, the qualifying chronic disability must have become manifest either during active duty in the Southwest Area Theater during the Gulf War or to a degree of 10 percent or more after the date on which the veteran last performed active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. If the veteran fails to qualify for service connection because the severity of disability is noncompensable, include the following statement in "Reasons and Bases" or “Analysis”: "Service connection for _____ is denied since this disability neither arose during service in the Persian Gulf theater, nor was it manifested to a compensable degree after the last date of service in the Persian Gulf theater during the Gulf War."

(d) Description of Dates. Under “Reasons for Decision,” explicitly refer to any date which is pertinent to the decision. This particularly includes the dates during which the veteran served in the Southwest Asia theater, and the earliest date a qualifying chronic illness may have become manifest.

h. Coded Conclusion

(1) A decision regarding service connection will be shown under either code 1. SC or 8. NSC in the coded conclusion. The parenthetical entry following 1. SC will be "GW PRES."

(2) Hyphenated codes will be used for all undiagnosed conditions. The first code will always be one of the diagnostic codes established for Gulf War undiagnosed conditions (see subparagraph 7.22e(1)) followed by the analogous diagnostic code. For example, if the analogy is 6354, the hyphenated code would be 8863-6354; or if the analogy is 5002, the code would be 8850-5002.

i. Severance and Reduction. Once service connection is established under 38 CFR 3.317, it is considered service connected for the purpose of all laws, including the provisions pertaining to protection under 38 CFR 3.951 and 3.957. Situations may arise, however, that will require termination or reduction of payments previously awarded under section 3.317; for example, establishment of a known clinical diagnosis as the cause of a veteran's disabilities. Title 38 CFR 3.500 was amended to add a paragraph (38 CFR 3.500(y)) specifically requiring severance or reduction under 38 CFR 3.105(d) or (e) to be effective on the first of the month 60 days after expiration of the predetermination period and final notice to the veteran. Apply the usual procedures for reduction or severance outlined in chapter 9. Termination or reduction of benefits paid under section 3.317 would not preclude continuation of payments if entitlement is established under other regulations governing grants of service connection by incurrence, aggravation, or presumption.

j. Participation in Research Projects. Effective December 27, 2001, if a Gulf War veteran participates in a VA-sponsored medical research project, service connection established for disability under 38 U.S.C. 1117 or 1118 will be protected, regardless of the project’s findings, unless the original award of compensation or service connection was based on fraud, or it is clearly shown from military records that the veteran did not have the requisite service or character of discharge. A list of VA-sponsored medical research projects for which service connection is protected will be published in the Federal Register.

[gwvet90]

One of the reasons that I believe we have made so much headway over the past 16 years is the fact that we have had the support of MANY vietnam veterans (who also happen to be congressmen and senators) that have vowed to not let the same thing that happened to them with agent orange happen to us. Another, is the fact that the internet has provided us with a vast amount of information, including boards like hadit.com that provide a place for all of us to exchange ideas and information (thank you Tbird!).

Ditto..... Thanks to all of you. While the GW Vets do still have quite fight with the VARO to actually get approved - atleast the laws are establised & we will eventually succeed with our claims.

These laws would not be in place without the Vietnam Vets forging the way.

[timetowinarace]

When I was SC for undiagnosed fatigue (GW1 Vet) I was rated at 20%. I filed a NOD twice for the low rating but remained at 20% for years. I later filed for increase and despite a few medicall opinions that I was unemployable I did not get an increase. One opinion from a VA MD C&P exam said unemployable, one C&P from a examiner with no credentials that had to be signed by a real MD that said I was the same at 20%. Guess wich one they used to keep me at 20%?

To shorten the story, I never recieved an increase for Undiagnosed Chronic Fatigue. However, when I was diagnosed with Post Cuncusive Syndrome, SC for an in service head injury, I was rated at 100% P&T. Here is the kicker, my symptoms are the same. My degree of functional limitation is the same.

Not to be negative, but expect to be lowballed. I now have a 100% rating for the same degree of functional limitation as I had at 20%. Only the diagnoses has changed.

Time

Edited December 4, 2006 by timetowinarace

[Trigga]

Well, my service officer called today to let me know that a decision had been made. My CFS rating is "continued" at 10%. I am having a very hard time understanding this. I meet the criteria for at the very least a 20% rating. Guess I'll wait and see what the rating decision says when it gets here.

[timetowinarace]

Unfortunatly that is standard for the VA. Like I said in my previous post, for undiagnosed fatigue I had 20%. With the same symptoms but a different diagnoses I'm 100% P&T.

I don't understand it myself.

Sorry

Time