Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332:reg:124
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L01332
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 124
Character Range: 207804–210266

124

Step 1: Determine one or more ratings for loss of gastrointestinal function.

 There are three tables relating to gastrointestinal functional loss:

 + Table 6.1.1    Loss of gastrointestinal function: ingestion of food
+ Table 6.1.2    Loss of gastrointestinal function: maintenance of nutrition
+ Table 6.1.3    Loss of gastrointestinal function: faecal excretion

 A gastrointestinal condition may cause a loss of function under more than one of the above tables. In that case a rating is to be selected from each applicable table.

 If more than one condition is present, a rating is to be selected from each of the applicable tables. However, only one rating is to be selected from each table irrespective of the number of conditions that contribute to the functional impairment that is being assessed by applying that table.

If a non-accepted condition or non-accepted conditions contribute to the rating selected from a table, Chapter 19 (Partially Contributing Impairment) is to be applied.

   Functional Loss
Table 6.1.1

        LOSS OF GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION: INGESTION OF FOOD
         Impairment
         Ratings Criteria

                  NIL              Some difficulty in chewing or swallowing, but only minor or occasional restriction of diet and there is no weight loss.

                  FIVE            Significant difficulty in chewing or swallowing, but diet is not grossly restricted and there is no weight loss.

                      * Difficulty in chewing or swallowing that limits diet to soft or semi-solid foods.
                      * Constant dysphagia requiring dilation two or three
                    times a year.

                  TWENTY Diet limited to liquid or to pureed food because of difficulty in chewing or swallowing.

                  THIRTY       Constant dysphagia necessitating dilation six times or more a year.

   No age adjustment permitted for this table

Only one rating is to be selected from this table for any condi­
tion or combination of conditions.

To calculate the percentage loss of weight for the purposes of Table 6.1.2 follow the substeps below.

    Substep Determine the veteran's weight before the beginning of the gastro-
1A intestinal condition (irrespective of when the condition was first diagnosed or accepted). This is the "premorbid weight".

    Substep Determine the veteran's weight at the relevant time in the assessment
      1B period.

    Substep