examiners should duplicate diagnostic studies that establish a chronic not diagnosis, unless is clinical evidence regardless of the date performed, of a worsening of the related disability. The term studies” includes Examples: “diagnostic studies for obstructive sleep apnea, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer axial tomography (CAT) scans, and x-rays for confirming degenerative processes. MSCs and PEBLOs must work together to ensure the reports Important: and/or studies referenced above are forwarded to the DRAS of jurisdiction. k. If VA previously examined a Veteran in connection with a claim he/she filed Acceptability of to entering IDES, the results of the examination(s) are acceptable for prior the Results of IDES purposes, as long as they are than one year old. less Examinations Conducted VA may use examination reports that are than one year old Exception: more Outside of the if IDES the reports address all disabilities an IDES participant claimed during the initial meeting with his/her MSC, and the participant’s department referred to VA, and the participant agrees that the severity of the disabilities at issue has not changed since the prior examination. l. Handling the Service departments may add disabilities to those they initially listed in Referral of Section I of a participant’s at any point in the process; VA VA Form 21-0819 Additional must treat these disabilities as if they were included in the initial referral Disabilities to package. Unless the participant claimed the same disabilities during the VA initial meeting with his/her MSC, the submission of additional requests for examination may be required. The responsibility for requesting additional examinations lies with whomever (the MSC or the DRAS) has current jurisdiction over the participant’s case. M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.17 contains instructions for requesting m. Examination of examinations for pregnant IDES participants. Pregnant IDES Participants n. Examination MSCs, PEBLOs, and physicians at MTFs are responsible for determining of Severely whether a participant is too disabled to travel to an examination. Disabled IDES Participants The below describes the process for handling cases involving a participant who is too disabled to travel to an examination.
examiners should not duplicate diagnostic studies that establish a chronic diagnosis, regardless of the date performed, unless is clinical evidence of a worsening of the related disability. Examples: The term “diagnostic studies” includes studies for obstructive sleep apnea, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer axial tomography (CAT) scans, and x-rays for confirming degenerative processes. Important: MSCs and PEBLOs must work together to ensure the reports and/or studies referenced above are forwarded to the DRAS of jurisdiction. k. Acceptability of the Results of Examinations Conducted Outside of the IDES If VA previously examined a Veteran in connection with a claim he/she filed prior to entering IDES, the results of the examination(s) are acceptable for IDES purposes, as long as they are less than one year old. Exception: VA may use examination reports that are more than one year old if the reports address all disabilities an IDES participant claimed during the initial meeting with his/her MSC, and the participant’s department referred to VA, and the participant agrees that the severity of the disabilities at issue has not changed since the prior examination. l. Handling the Referral of Additional Disabilities to VA Service departments may add disabilities to those they initially listed in Section I of a participant’s VA Form 21-0819 at any point in the process; VA must treat these disabilities as if they were included in the initial referral package. Unless the participant claimed the same disabilities during the initial meeting with his/her MSC, the submission of additional requests for examination may be required. The responsibility for requesting additional examinations lies with whomever (the MSC or the DRAS) has current jurisdiction over the participant’s case. m. Examination of Pregnant IDES Participants M21-1, Part III, Subpart i, 2.D.17 contains instructions for requesting examinations for pregnant IDES participants. n. Examination of Severely Disabled IDES Participants MSCs, PEBLOs, and physicians at MTFs are responsible for determining whether a participant is too disabled to travel to an examination. The below describes the process for handling cases involving a participant who is too disabled to travel to an examination.
10-21-15_Key%20Changes_M21-1III_i_2_SecD.docx