Has anyone received a rating under the new definitions for Crohn's Disease? I received my DBQ and trying to look ahead if it will be a 30 or 60%.
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Crohn's Disease
- Thread starter idsailor81
- Start date
Crickets, am I really the first on this page to be getting a rating under the new Crohn's code?
I was referred for Crohn's back in Jan. Had my C&P exams in March under the old rating (under the ulcerative colitis rating) and DBQ. I signed my package to the IPEB in May. Received a call from QTC two weeks ago saying that the VA needed "more information" about my Crohn's. Called my MSC and they said sometimes they request additional exams if they think more information will be beneficial and help give you a higher rating. They also said that it is possible that they needed to redo the exam with the new DBQ.Crickets, am I really the first on this page to be getting a rating under the new Crohn's code?
Redo exam was last week and my examiner just translated my old DBQ to the new one and asked me a few additional questions. Unsure how this will affect my rating but the new rating is more detailed and I think is more beneficial for my case. The disease varies drastically from person to person so the new ratings can be frustrating if it doesn't encompass your symptoms, regardless of severity.
FYSA I'm on biologics with multiple hospitalizations over the past 2 years and documented occupational impairment but don't meet the criteria on 6 or more BMs a day with bleeding. Not sure if being on immunosuppressants is a lock for 60% or not with the new rating.
I'm not sure if the VA ignores the old DBQ and just rates you based on the new DBQ or both. I hope it's both because my first examiner gave me a pretty favorable DBQ. Hopefully I'll get my findings in a week or so.
Have you gotten any movement on yours?I was referred for Crohn's back in Jan. Had my C&P exams in March under the old rating (under the ulcerative colitis rating) and DBQ. I signed my package to the IPEB in May. Received a call from QTC two weeks ago saying that the VA needed "more information" about my Crohn's. Called my MSC and they said sometimes they request additional exams if they think more information will be beneficial and help give you a higher rating. They also said that it is possible that they needed to redo the exam with the new DBQ.
Redo exam was last week and my examiner just translated my old DBQ to the new one and asked me a few additional questions. Unsure how this will affect my rating but the new rating is more detailed and I think is more beneficial for my case. The disease varies drastically from person to person so the new ratings can be frustrating if it doesn't encompass your symptoms, regardless of severity.
FYSA I'm on biologics with multiple hospitalizations over the past 2 years and documented occupational impairment but don't meet the criteria on 6 or more BMs a day with bleeding. Not sure if being on immunosuppressants is a lock for 60% or not with the new rating.
I'm not sure if the VA ignores the old DBQ and just rates you based on the new DBQ or both. I hope it's both because my first examiner gave me a pretty favorable DBQ. Hopefully I'll get my findings in a week or so.
Yep, received my finding on 18 Dec. Signed 31 Dec. 100% DoD PDRL / 100% VA P&T. The new rating allowed me to get 100% for Crohn's since I met all but two of the conditions, plus I'm on immunosuppressants. Unsure what the result would have been under the new rating but I think it is favorable for most people.
I had to do two "redo" C&P exams because of the rating change but that was because I claimed multiple digestive conditions. They were completely useless and were just a check in the box for the VA to use the new DBQs and redo bloodwork since it had been over 6 months. Each time they just asked me a couple questions and I told them nothing has changed and updated on a couple things that applied to the new DBQ.
Biggest tip I can give future cronies is to log your BMs (frequency, Bristol stool category, blood, urgency, abdominal pain, etc) in excel or an app and report them to the doc so they put it in their notes. The rating emphasizes specific numbers to meet the criteria. Also, "recurrent" is used in the rating when referring to abdominal pain or distension so if you have tummy aches or bloating, make sure to tell the docs and C&P examiner its recurrent.
I had to do two "redo" C&P exams because of the rating change but that was because I claimed multiple digestive conditions. They were completely useless and were just a check in the box for the VA to use the new DBQs and redo bloodwork since it had been over 6 months. Each time they just asked me a couple questions and I told them nothing has changed and updated on a couple things that applied to the new DBQ.
Biggest tip I can give future cronies is to log your BMs (frequency, Bristol stool category, blood, urgency, abdominal pain, etc) in excel or an app and report them to the doc so they put it in their notes. The rating emphasizes specific numbers to meet the criteria. Also, "recurrent" is used in the rating when referring to abdominal pain or distension so if you have tummy aches or bloating, make sure to tell the docs and C&P examiner its recurrent.
That gives me a little more hope. I have all the marks for 60% except the marked malnutrition. I'm also on immunosuppressants for the last 7 years. I'll hopefully get the proposed ratings soon. I'm so over this process(just like everyone). Congrats on the 100, is your Crohns manageable enough?
Are you looking at the new rating for Crohns? It no longer mentions marked malnutrition. Per my IDES attorney, you don't have to meet every single criteria for a specific percentage. It is up to the rater to determine if you fall in between and they are supposed to go with the higher percentage that is most beneficial for the veteran.That gives me a little more hope. I have all the marks for 60% except the marked malnutrition. I'm also on immunosuppressants for the last 7 years. I'll hopefully get the proposed ratings soon. I'm so over this process(just like everyone). Congrats on the 100, is your Crohns manageable enough?
Hang in there! Contact your MSC to check on the status of your case with the VA. Crohns is manageable but caused other issues I'm still fighting but overall much better.