Thank you for your request for information about the following:

1 - Why was part 4 (of my VAD30MA) not filled out and not deemed applicable in my case by the independent medical assessor?

2 - What is the policy/guidance (for the independent medical assessor) regarding filling out part 4 of the VAD30MA?

3 - Is part 4 filled out in other applicants cases? – How many assessed claims have completed part 4 sections?

Your request was received on 22 March 2023 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Response

Question 1

Harmful information is defined as information that is not known to the claimant and would be potentially harmful to them if they were to become aware of it. No such information was found within the medical notes therefore a cross was placed in the ‘No harmful information on file’ box.

Question 2

Harmful information is information that, it would appear from review of the patient records, is not known to the claimant and would be potentially harmful to them if they were to become aware of it. It is rarely seen, but an example would be e.g. a diagnosis of terminal cancer where the claimant has stated to the GP that they do not want to be made aware of their diagnosis.

Question 3

For cases where no harmful information is identified within the medical notes a cross is placed in the ‘No harmful information on file’ box. Where harmful information is identified, a cross would be placed in the ‘Harmful information identified’ box and the information is recorded in the free text section. Therefore, part 4 is filled out in all cases.

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