Disability Examination Worksheets
Gulf War Guidelines
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Introduction Disability examinations of
Gulf War veterans have unique requirements because this group of veterans is
eligible for compensation not only for disability due to diagnosed illnesses,
but also for disability due to undiagnosed illnesses. An undiagnosed
illness is established when findings are present that cannot be attributed to a
known, clearly defined diagnosis, after all likely diagnostic possibilities for
such abnormalities have been ruled out. Examiners should follow the guidelines
in the "Handout of Instructions for Compensation and Pension Examinations" but
will also need to request more laboratory tests and specialists
examinations than average in these cases. Guidelines
1. Thoroughly review the claims file.
2. Address all conditions and symptoms specified on the
examination request and also address all additional conditions and
symptoms that you can elicit from the veteran during the examination, even
if not specified on the request form.
3. Conduct a comprehensive general medical examination,
following the AMIE General Medical Examination worksheet. For all conditions
and symptoms which the General Medical Examination worksheet does not address
in detail, follow the appropriate additional AMIE worksheets, and request
specialists examinations as indicated. Provide details about the onset,
frequency, duration, and severity of all complaints and state what
precipitates and what relieves them.
4. List all diagnosed conditions and state which symptoms,
abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results are associated
with each. If all symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal
laboratory test results are associated with a diagnosed condition, additional
specialist examinations for diagnostic purposes are not needed. Diagnosed
conditions will be handled as standard claims for service connection.
Symptom-based "diagnoses" such as (but not limited to) myalgia, arthralgia,
headache, and diarrhea, are not considered as diagnosed conditions for
compensation purposes.
5. However, if there are symptoms, abnormal physical
findings, or abnormal laboratory test results that have not been
determined to be part of a known clinical diagnosis, further specialist
examinations will be required to address these findings.
6. Provide the specialist with all examination reports and
test results. Specify the symptoms, abnormal physical findings, and abnormal
laboratory test results that have not been attributed to a known
clinical diagnosis. Request that the specialist determine which of these, if
any, can be attributed in this veteran to a known clinical diagnosis and which,
if any, cannot be attributed in this veteran to a known clinical
diagnosis.
7. After the specialists examinations have been
completed, and all laboratory test results received, make a final report
providing a list of diagnosed conditions. Separately list all symptoms,
abnormal physical findings, and abnormal laboratory test results that cannot be
attributed to a known clinical diagnosis. Reconcile all differences among the
examiners, by consultation or workgroup as necessary, before the examination is
returned to the regional office.
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Reviewed/Updated Date: December 15, 2008 |
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