Reconsideration Request--Requesting Rating Under Different Code

[beccalee721]

Anyone have any experience doing a VARR to have your condition rated under another VASRD code? I am going through the IDES process and received a 40% rating for my boarded condition (undiagnosed polyarthralgia aka joint pain and range of motion problems). I was rated under Fibromyalgia (given the max Fibromyalgia rating) because the VA determined this best fit my overall symptoms (tender points, muscular-skeletal pain, fatigue), which I understand because I don't have a diagnosis, so I feel I have some room for appeal.

If I were rated for ROM for each joint impacted, my rating for this overall condition would (conservatively) be about 70%. I want to appeal and ask for my joints to be rated individually instead of aggregating them under the Fibromyalgia code. Any advice??? Anyone with an experience asking to be rated a different way??

 

[Chaps_Z]

Remember that each impacted ROM are not just added together. You may not have any higher of a rating on appeal and risk a lower percentage based on exams.

 

[beccalee721]

Remember that each impacted ROM are not just added together. You may not have any higher of a rating on appeal and risk a lower percentage based on exams.

Thank you. Yes I know how VA math is computed. Each of my shoulders is worth 20% per the notes in my C&P exam when compared to the VASRD, so that would equal 38% which is rounded to 40%, and that's where I already am anyway. If any of my other joints are added for compensation my rating would increase. At the bare minimum, I should end up exactly where I am because the shoulders are worded exactly like the VASRD for 20%.