Diagnostic Codes

[carlie]

In my opinion, it is of utmost importance for disabled veterans to be very familiar with

what exact Diagnostic Codes they are being rated under.jmho,

carlie

Edited December 13, 2006 by carlie

[Berta]

The DCs diagnostic codes are only for rating purposes-

the Death certificate and autopsy findings are critical to DIC claims-

I always suggest autopsies and tell you family if you wish to be organ donor- then the autopsy is free (at least in NY it is if the Eye Bank calls you)and this sure gave me some piece of mind when Rod died- he was organ donor - (eyes and skin) and all bones.

Also an autopsy can be critical to a DIC claim as well as the death cert-

I think you are misunderstanding me on the DIC -but sorry- I probably explained it better in older posts.

If you go to the DIC link here at the VA it explains it all:

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/

[carlie]

The reason I stress the importance of Diagnostic Codes is because if you don't know what

DC VA is rating you for then you don't know what must be documented for that evaluation.

Also, VA loves to lump disabilities together. Below is a prime example, VA could easily

grant 6204 at 10 % - claim got granted, vet accepts this without realizing their evidence

shows this should have been awarded 30%. Also, the vets records could certainly show

treatment and continuing supperation from Otitis Media -- Here DC 6204 clearly

shows that supperation is to be rated separetly, that would be another 10 % for the vet.

6204 Peripheral vestibular disorders:

Dizziness and occasional staggering........................... 30

Occasional dizziness.......................................... 10

Note: Objective findings supporting the diagnosis of

vestibular disequilibrium are required before a compensable

evaluation can be assigned under this code. Hearing

impairment or suppuration shall be separately rated and

combined.

It's hard to fight the enemy when you don't know what side their approaching from.

jmho,

carlie

[Berta]

(386.01) Ménière’s disease, active, cochleovestibular

(388.01) Presbyacusis

(388.12) Hearing loss, noise-induced

(388.2) Hearing loss, sudden, unspec.

(388.31) Tinnitus, subjective

(388.4) Other abnormal auditory perception

(388.71) Otalgia, otogenic

(388.72) Otalgia, referred

(389) Deafness

This is from Wikipedia- no 388.30

but 388.30 Tinnitus, unspecified

from:http://www.pharma-lexicon.com/icd9codes.php

Both are excellent sources of info- the Pharma lexicon (medilexicon) is more specific.