PSYCHEDELICS
Which DBQ(s) should an Eating Disorder be diagnosed on?
Current eating disorders can be diagnosed on the PTSD/Mental Disorders DBQs. If an eating disorder is diagnosed on the PTSD/Mental Disorders, an Eating Disorder must also be completed.
If any of the required fields are CNT/DNT, or blank what should the examiner do and where?
The examiner should provide an explanation either in the Comments, Remarks or Extra Remarks section.
If the VA requested a Gulf War Opinion, what section must be completed?
Section VII - Gulf War.
What is required for new claims of arthritis or fractures?
Diagnostics! (X-rays)
What is required to be included in the remarks/extra remarks for INCREASE and/or RFE claims?
ECQ Statements
Which document is a resource that a QA can use to find over 10 examples of markers that can substantiate an MST Stressor?
(MST) Military Sexual Trauma Job Aid
How do we determine if Bone Conduction testing is required?
• Review air conduction thresholds at 250-8000Hz in both ears.
• Bone Conduction thresholds will be obtained when the air conduction thresholds are poorer than (greater than) 15 dB HL.
• If Bone Conduction testing was completed even though not required, that is acceptable.
When the VA requests multiple medical opinions (Direct, Secondary, TERA), and the examiner renders a positive direct opinion in one section what should the examiner do for the remaining sections?
The examiner must enable the remaining sections and select "Yes" for the question "Have you already made a positive opinion regarding this condition in another section on this form?" The following statement will auto populate:
“A positive opinion was given for the claim of
[contention], therefore the remaining opinions requested for this contention are not warranted
and will not be provided.”
False. Why? The unclaimed joint cannot be diagnosed.
Provide at least THREE unratable diagnosis(es).
Pain
Spasms
Tenderness
Cramps
Contusion
Cervicalgia
Sciatica
(Review your Unratable Diagnosis Job Aid!)
What specifier is required for a Substance use disorder?
Mild, moderate, severe, unspecified.
If the Veteran has normal hearing that does not meet clinical or VA disability hearing loss, only ________ should be selected.
"Veteran does not have hearing loss that meets VA disability criteria."
What opinion/section must be completed if there is a disability pattern of (3) or (4)?
Section VIII - Medical Opinion for Toxic Exposure Risk Activities
If 3C and/or 3D "Does procured evidence" is answered as Yes what section/question must also be answered as Yes?
Section II, 2C cross reference with Section III, 3C "Does procured evidence"
Section II, 2B cross reference with Section III, 3D "Does procured evidence?"
The examiner feedback criteria includes FOUR parts. What are they?
1. Identify the error
2. Explain why it is an error
3.Offer a solution
4. Provide a contingency, if applicable
In the evidence comments, if there are any previous diagnosed mental health conditions what is the examiner required to do?
The examiner should either diagnosis the condition or comment as to why the diagnosis is not warranted in the remarks/extra remarks section.
(Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or insomnia without identifying them as a separate diagnosis does not require an explanation)
If there is multiple medical opinions (Direct Service Connection and TERA) requested in the contention narrative for Hearing loss and/or Tinnitus what must be included in the remarks/extra remarks section?
If one of the requested opinions is positive, the other opinion should not be provided and a statement should be included in the Remarks/Extra Remarks. For example: “A positive ___ opinion was given for [insert contention/diagnosis], therefore the additional requested opinions for ____ are not warranted”
BONUS (200 points extra): What additional step must the QA take when the medical opinion is not being sent due to a positive DSC Opinion?
What are possible reasons for a positive TERA opinion/rationale?
1. There is medical or scientific evidence available that notes a relationship between the development of the condition(s) at issue and the TERA
2. There is medical or scientific evidence available that notes a relationship between the development of the condition(s) at issue and the geographical location(s) of service
Provide at least THREE examples of Objective Evidence that can support a diagnosis on the musculoskeletal DBQs.
Abnormal ROM
Any pain noted on exam during ROM testing
A "Yes" response to "Is there evidence of pain?" question
Crepitus
Any "objective evidence of localized tenderness/pain on palpitation"
Additional loss of function or range of motion after three repetitions
If yes is selected for 3C and 3D "does procured evidence" question.
(Review your guidance and Job Aid for additional examples)
How can the QA determine if the VA requested an Individual Unemployability statement?
In the contention narrative: "Please comment on the effect of the Veteran's ability to function in an occupational environment and describe any identified functional limitations. Unemployability"
If there is a diagnosis of PTSD there must be at least one ____ documented.
Stressor.
False.
Tinnitus only exam - 4A and 4B must be answered as No for the right and left ear, and the examiner must select "VBA did not request etiology".
If the VA is requesting a Combat Medical opinion what section should this be addressed in?
Section III - Medical Opinion for Direct Service Connection
PN DBQ vs Neck/Back DBQ - What findings must be consistent?
Findings should match for muscle strength, sensory testing, reflex testing, and nerves affected on both DBQs unless otherwise explained.
What should be avoided in the Functional Impact statement?
Avoid discussing employability or employment status.
BONUS (200 POINTS EXTRA): Provide some additional functional impact statements reminders.