Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151:reg:70:p16
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023C00151
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 70 (pt 16/25)
Character Range: 240909–244161

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                                            Criteria
Ratings
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.
TEN                                                      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.
                                                      Only one rating is to be selected from this table for any condition or combination of conditions.

No age adjustment permitted for this table

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

Substep 1A  Determine the veteran's weight before the beginning of the gastro-intestinal condition (irrespective of when the condition was first diagnosed or accepted). This is the "premorbid weight".
Substep 1B  Determine the veteran's weight at the relevant time in the assessment period.
Substep 1C  If the weight obtained in substep 1B is equal to, or greater than, the premorbid weight, no impairment rating based on involuntary weight loss can be given from Table 6.1.2.

            If the weight obtained in substep 1B is less than the premorbid weight, express the difference as a percentage of the premorbid weight. The result is the "percentage loss of weight".
Substep 1D  Determine whether the percentage loss of weight is due to the accepted gastrointestinal condition being assessed. If it is, then the percentage loss of weight may be used in applying Table 6.1.2.

            If the percentage loss of weight is not due to the accepted gastro-intestinal condition being assessed, then no impairment rating based on involuntary loss of weight can be given from Table 6.1.2.
Substep 1E  If non-accepted conditions contribute to the percentage loss of weight, Chapter 19 (Partially Contributing Impairment) is to be