IBS presumtive?

[SPO]

I have been recently diagnosed with IBS.  They have already verified through colonoscopy, blood-work, and stool sample that my issues are not cause by anything such as chron's or ulcerative colotis, so it is a functional condition with no definite explanation as to what started it.  I did deploy to Iraq 3 times from 2005-2007, for a total of about 22 months.  I'm not 100% if I can file this as a presumptive claim since I've been out for 11 years and the issues.  How would I go about submitting as presumptive?  As usual, everyone's help is greatly appreciated.

[SPO]

No,  some how I've been lucky enough not to have to deal with GERD, at least so far.  Is there any specific way to word this claim in the application, and support statements to make sure they see its a gulf war presumptive so it doesn't get denied.  I've heard the VA likes to play games with these types of claims.

[ShrekTheTank]

I believe inside the claim there will be a way to link it to the Gulf war.  I would also do it a couple of ways as to what matches what you are going through.  You will see this part then you go to put the condition in.  Like for my GERD I put down Gulf War with it and they have now removed this and made it secondary to my IBS.  

See what best fits when you are filling it out and then let them sort it out.  Mine was probably the shortest of all mine at about 3-4 months.

[SPO]

Can I also claim a secondary to a presumptive in the same claim, or do I have to wait until the presumptive claim is completed?  In this case internal Hemorrhoids found during the colonoscopy to diagnose the IBS.  The doc suggested the they were probably cause by the IBS symptoms and colonoscopy prep.

[ShrekTheTank]

I think you can and should.  As this will preserve the EED and even if you need to appeal you will have the record.  

[GBArmy]

I agree 100% with Shrek; file now. Do you have any side affects from meds the VA is prescribing for IBS. If you take meds, look up their cautions on Google; if you do have some symptoms, include those as disabilities as well. It would be helpful if you talked to your doc and ask, hey doc, does this xxx drug cause my xyz issues or at least contribute to those conditions? If the doc says yes, then ask him to put it in your process/procedure notes. Add that to you claim as well as a medical issue/journal that says the same. 

[SPO]

I've already put in my intent to file, just waiting to get back to the doc for followup and get them to fill a dbq out.  as soon as thats done im planning on filing.

A nurse practitioner is acceptable for a DBQ, correct?

Edited March 18, 2020 by SPO