VA Form 21-0960G-4 Intestinal Surgery (Bowel Resection, Colostomy, Ileostom

OMB Approved No. 2900-0778
Respondent Burden: 15 minutes

INTESTINAL SURGERY (BOWEL RESECTION, COLOSTOMY, ILEOSTOMY)
DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE
IMPORTANT - THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) WILL NOT PAY OR REIMBURSE ANY EXPENSES OR COST INCURRED IN THE PROCESS OF
COMPLETING AND/OR SUBMITTING THIS FORM. PLEASE READ THE PRIVACY ACT AND RESPONDENT BURDEN INFORMATION BEFORE COMPLETING FORM.
NAME OF PATIENT/VETERAN

PATIENT/VETERAN'S SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

NOTE TO PHYSICIAN - Your patient is applying to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for disability benefits. VA will consider the information you
provide on this questionnaire as part of their evaluation in processing the veteran's claim.
SECTION I - DIAGNOSIS
1A. HAS THE VETERAN HAD INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," complete Item 1B)

1B. SELECT THE VETERAN'S CONDITION (check all that apply)
RESECTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

RESECTION OF THE LARGE INTESTINE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

PERITONEAL ADHESIONS ATTRIBUTABLE TO
RESECTION OF THE LARGE OR SMALL
INTESTINE. IF CHECKED, ALSO COMPLETE VA
FORM 21-0960G-6, PERITONEAL ADHESIONS
DISABILITY BENEFITS QUESTIONNAIRE

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

PERSISTENT FISTULA

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

OTHER INTESTINAL SURGERY, SPECIFY DIAGNOSES BELOW, PROVIDING ONLY DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO INTESTINAL SURGERY:
OTHER DIAGNOSIS #1:
ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

ICD code:

Date of diagnosis:

Reason for surgery:

OTHER DIAGNOSIS #2:

1C. IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSES THAT PERTAIN TO INTESTINAL SURGERY, LIST USING ABOVE FORMAT:

SECTION II - MEDICAL HISTORY
2A. DESCRIBE THE HISTORY (including onset and course) OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL SURGERY (brief summary):

2B. IS CONTINUOUS MEDICATION REQUIRED FOR CONTROL OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL CONDITION(S)?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," list only those medications required for the intestinal conditions)

SECTION III - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
3A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ANY INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," check all that apply)

Slight symptoms attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked, describe:
Moderate symptoms attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked, describe:
Severe symptoms, objectively supported by examination findings, attributable to resection of large intestine. If checked,describe:
Abdominal pain and/or colic pain. If checked, describe:
Diarrhea. If checked, describe:
Alternating diarrhea and constipation. If checked, describe:
Abdominal distension. If checked, describe:
Anemia. If checked, provide hemoglobin/hematocrit in Section 9, Diagnostic Testing.
Nausea. If checked, describe:
Vomiting. If checked, describe:
Pulling pain on attempting work or aggravated by movements of the body. If checked, describe:
Other, describe:

VA FORM
FEB 2011

21-0960G-4

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SECTION IV - WEIGHT LOSS
4A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE WEIGHT LOSS OR INABILITY TO GAIN WEIGHT ATTRIBUTABLE TO INTESTINAL SURGERY?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," complete Items 4B thru 4D)

4B. PROVIDE VETERAN'S BASELINE WEIGHT AND CURRENT WEIGHT (For VA purposes, baseline weight is the average weight for 2-year period preceding

onset of disease)

Baseline weight:

Current weight:

4C. HAS THE VETERAN'S WEIGHT LOSS BEEN SUSTAINED FOR 3 MONTHS OR LONGER?
YES

NO

4D. HAS THE VETERAN BEEN UNABLE TO REGAIN WEIGHT DESPITE APPROPRIATE THERAPY?
YES

NO

SECTION V - ABSORPTION AND NURTITION
5. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY INTERFERENCE WITH ABSORPTION AND NUTRITION ATTRIBUTABLE TO RESECTION OF THE SMALL INTESTINE?
YES

NO

NOT APPLICABLE

IF YES, DOES THIS CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF HEALTH OBJECTIVELY SUPPORTED BY EXAMINATION FINDINGS INCLUDING DEFINITE AND/OR MATERIAL
WEIGHT LOSS?
YES

NO

IF YES, IS IMPAIRMENT OF HEALTH SEVERE?
YES

NO

INDICATE SEVERITY OF INTERFERENCE WITH ABSORPTION AND NUTRITION:
Definite

Marked

SECTION VI - OSTOMY
6. DID THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL CONDITION REQUIRE AN ILEOSTOMY OR COLOSTOMY?
YES

NO

IF YES, DESCRIBE:

SECTION VII - FISTULA
7. DOES THE VETERAN NOW HAVE OR HAS HE OR SHE EVER HAD A PERSISTENT INTESTINAL FISTULA ATTRIBUTABLE TO A SURGICAL INTESTINAL CONDITION?
YES

NO

IF YES, DOES THE VETERAN HAVE FECAL DISCHARGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS?
YES

NO

IF YES, INDICATE THE SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY OF FECAL DISCHARGE (check all that apply):
Slight
Copious
Infrequent
Frequent
Constant
Other, describe:

SECTION VIII - OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS
8A. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY SCARS (surgical or otherwise) RELATED TO ANY CONDITIONS OR TO THE TREATMENT OF ANY CONDITIONS LISTED IN
SECTION 1, DIAGNOSIS?
YES

NO

IF YES, ARE ANY OF THE SCARS PAINFUL AND/OR UNSTABLE, OR IS THE TOTAL AREA OF ALL RELATED SCARS GREATER THAN 39 SQUARE CM

(6 square inches)?
YES

NO

(If 'Yes." ALSO complete VA Form 21-0960F-1, Scars/Disfigurement Disability Benefits Questionnaire)
8B. DOES THE VETERAN HAVE ANY OTHER PERTINENT PHYSICAL FINDINGS, COMPLICATIONS, CONDITIONS, SIGNS AND/OR SYMPTOMS RELATED TO ANY
CONDITIONS LISTED IN SECTION 1, DIAGNOSIS?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe (brief summary):

VA FORM 21-0960G-4, FEB 2011

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SECTION IX - DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
NOTE: If imaging studies, diagnostic procedures or laboratory testing has been performed and reflects the veteran's current condition, no further studies or testing are required for
this examination.
9A. HAS LABORATORY TESTING BEEN PERFORMED?
YES

NO

(If "Yes, check all that apply)

CBC (if anemia due to any intestinal condition is suspected or present)
Date of test:
Hematocrit:

Hemoglobin:

White blood cell count:

Platelets:

Other
Date of test:
Results:
9B. HAVE IMAGING STUDIES OR DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES BEEN PERFORMED AND ARE THE RESULTS AVAILABLE?
YES

NO (If "Yes," provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):

9C. ARE THERE ANY OTHER SIGNIFICANT DIAGNOSTIC TEST FINDINGS AND/OR RESULTS?
YES

NO (If "Yes," provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):

SECTION X - FUNCTIONAL IMPACT
10. DO ANY OF THE VETERAN'S INTESTINAL SURGERY RESIDUALS IMPACT HIS OR HER ABILITY TO WORK?
YES

NO

(If "Yes," describe the impact of each of the veteran's surgery residuals including any ongoing symptoms of original cause of surgery that may be hard
to distinguish from post-surgical residuals, providing one or more examples)

11. REMARKS (If any)

SECTION XI - REMARKS

SECTION XII - PHYSICIAN'S CERTIFICATION AND SIGNATURE

CERTIFICATION - To the best of my knowledge, the information contained herein is accurate, complete and current.
12A. PHYSICIAN'S SIGNATURE

12B. PHYSICIAN'S PRINTED NAME

12D. PHYSICIAN'S PHONE AND FAX NUMBER 12E. PHYSICIAN'S MEDICAL LICENSE NUMBER

12C. DATE SIGNED
12F. PHYSICIAN'S ADDRESS

NOTE - VA may obtain additional medical information, including additional examinations if necessary to complete VA's review of the veteran's application.

IMPORTANT - Physician please fax the completed form to
(VA Regional Office FAX No.)
NOTE - A list of VA Regional Office FAX Numbers can be found at www.vba.va.gov/disabilityexams or obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000.
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE: VA will not disclose information collected on this form to any source other than what has been authorized under the Privacy Act of 1974 or Title 38, Code of Federal
Regulations 1.576 for routine uses (i.e., civil or criminal law enforcement, congressional communications, epidemiological or research studies, the collection of money owed to the United States,
litigation in which the United States is a party or has an interest, the administration of VA programs and delivery of VA benefits, verification of identity and status, and personnel administration) as
identified in the VA system of records, 58VA21/22/28, Compensation, Pension, Education and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Records - VA, published in the Federal Register. Your
obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain benefits. VA uses your SSN to identify your claim file. Providing your SSN will help ensure that your records are properly associated with your
claim file. Giving us your SSN account information is voluntary. Refusal to provide your SSN by itself will not result in the denial of benefits. VA will not deny an individual benefits for refusing
to provide his or her SSN unless the disclosure of the SSN is required by a Federal Statute of law in effect prior to January 1, 1975, and still in effect. The requested information is considered
relevant and necessary to determine maximum benefits under the law. The responses you submit are considered confidential (38 U.S.C. 5701). Information submitted is subject to verification
through computer matching programs with other agencies.
RESPONDENT BURDEN: We need this information to determine entitlement to benefits (38 U.S.C. 501). Title 38, United States Code, allows us to ask for this information. We estimate that
you will need an average of 15 minutes to review the instructions, find the information, and complete a form. VA cannot conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless a valid OMB control
number is displayed. You are not required to respond to a collection of information if this number is not displayed. Valid OMB control numbers can be located on the OMB Internet Page at
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain . If desired, you can call 1-800-827-1000 to get information on where to send comments or suggestions about this form.
VA FORM 21-0960G-4, FEB 2011

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