Baseline GERD question on DBQ Form

[lotzaspotz]

Good morning, all.  Can someone tell me where the DBQ for GERD asks about a baseline level of GERD?  My husband's treating private physicians, one a GP and the other a gastrointestinal Board certified specialist, both completed DBQ's.  The claim was denied solely because they both did not describe a baseline level of GERD, but I don't see that question on the form.  That appears to be the only reason it was denied.  The VA had release of information letters for the doctors, but we provided copies of all the records ourselves.  I don't know why, if that one isolated piece of information was missing, the VA didn't let the doctors or my husband know (we could have addressed that prior to a denial).  Plus, there was no C& P exam provided.  We thought this might have been an oversight, but it wasn't, the denial without a rating exam was repeated by the DRO.  The claim regarded certain medications taken for service connected conditions for many years that have a clinical connection to causing GERD, as the doctors reported.

[lotzaspotz]

I don't know, but I figured if that was information the VA needed to make a rating decision, they would have included it on the DBQ for GERD.  If it's not there for the non-VA doctor to answer, it wouldn't be there for the C&P examiner to answer, either.  Only, there was no C&P exam offered, despite the DBQ's by treating MD's and evidence of prescriptions taken to treat SC conditions over the course of several years.  

 

[Buck52]

I agree with you Lotz, its just the VA's BS for Denials.