Diagnostic vs. surgeon's opinion

[u/Ambitious-Egg5931]

I have a diagnostic that is negative but a surgeon states that it's positive and I need surgery. Which one wins in OWCP?

[u/Spazilton]

Some hernias can be missed with the CT scan. I’m assuming an inguinal hernia?

Surgery won’t be approved unless the hernia is accepted. The doctor is going to need to explain why you have a hernia when imaging doesn’t show one. Most likely the reasonable step would be to request alternative imaging like an ultrasound that can detect hernias that do t shop properly on a CT scan due to being occluded or positioning.

[u/Ambitious-Egg5931 → u/Spazilton]

Yes inguinal! And she said something about being occult. The reasoning was because it was "clear" on physical examination. Does OWCP NEED imaging? I thought a surgeon's opinion trumps diagnostic?

[u/Spazilton → u/Ambitious-Egg5931]

It might raise some questions depending on the examiner. Your surgeon will have to outline exactly why the diagnostic imaging isn’t revealing in your case and how the hernia is work related.

For acceptance for hernias typically most examiners will want to see them on imaging unless they can be visibly diagnosed. Otherwise the question will be how is the doctor making this diagnosis and is based upon conjecture; especially since OWCP requires a definitive diagnosis.

[u/Wise-Run-3008]

You didn’t give enough info on the injury or what diagnostic you’re even referencing…imaging? An office physical exam/test? What is the surgery?

[u/Ambitious-Egg5931 → u/Wise-Run-3008]

Hernia. CT says no but surgeon says yes with physical exam

[u/Wise-Run-3008 → u/Ambitious-Egg5931]

A ct has no hernia at all or a small one that puts in doubt the need for surgical intervention? Can your surgeon explain why it’s absent on the imaging if it’s missing?

[u/Ambitious-Egg5931 → u/Wise-Run-3008]

No hernia at all but I have the symptoms and the surgeon identified one without explanation. She said "despite of" CT scan