Format examples for FAA letter response

[OregonDucks609]

Good afternoon everyone - After being deferred by my AME on 12/1/22, I finally received my FAA response containing the instructions for what I am to provide them. I have included the relevant instructions below. Does anyone happen to have an example format (possibly a version that was successfully sent with personal information redacted) that I could use for both the current neurological evaluation for an aneurysm and the current history and clinical examination by psych for situational depression? I know the neurological evaluation is to contain this information, but I'm a bit unclear on what it would actually look like. Is it just a letter typed up with all of that? I have the same question for the clinical examination by the psych - is that just a letter containing that information? I'm doing my due diligence to prevent multiple turns of information with them and want to set up my doctors as best I can and save them time to not waste as much time on me when they could be treating patients in far worse shape. They are not too happy about needing to put all this together, especially with a time crunch, and I can't blame them. My goal is to do as much of the work for them as I can to make it easy and be respectful of their time. If no one is able to provide an actual example document, I completely understand, but I would also very much welcome any wisdom you have on any of this. Thank you!

From the FAA (including the whole request in case anyone also has wisdom to share on the interpretative report for the current imaging required as well):
1 . A current neurological evaluation in accordance with the enclosed FAA specifications. Include the results of all previous imaging
2 . A current CTA (preferred) or MRA of the brain. Submit the interpretive report on paper and imaging on CD in DICOM readable format (there must be a file named ' DICOMDIR' in the root directory of the CD-ROM)
3. A current history and clinical examination from a physician regarding your history of situational depression. The report should be typewritten
on physician letterhead and must include:
- Diagnosis
- Detailed description of mental health history including the dates and types of treatment (include inpatient and outpatient treatment
- Detailed description of symptoms (physical and psychiatric symptoms); specific mention must be made regarding suicidal ideation, homicidal ideation, or thoughts of self- harm or harm to others
- Description of effects of behaviors or symptoms related to work performance, school performance, relationships, and activity involvement
- Description of the current and future treatment plan including all medications (name of medication, dosage, frequency of use , and side effects
, if any) and other therapies
- Short-term and long-term prognosis

 

[OregonDucks609]

Let me simplify this... Are the evaluations from docs requested by the FAA ultimately just letters to the FAA containing all of the relevant info/assessments/opinions within the letter? My doc, especially neurosurgeon, don't know what is needed.

 

[bbchien]

A neurosurgeon is not a neurologist. Look carefully at the letter: What does it EXACTLY say?

 

[OregonDucks609]

A neurosurgeon is not a neurologist. Look carefully at the letter: What does it EXACTLY say?

Request is for "a current neurological evaluation in accordance with the enclosed FAA specifications." Criteria in said specifications (found here: https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/NeurologicalSpecificationSheet.pdf) is that it is current (within 90 days), performed by a board-certified physician (M.D., D.O., or physician degree equivalent (e.g. MBBS)), who also also holds a current board certification by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or equivalent accrediting authority, and the evaluation must meet the Comprehensive Neurological Evaluation criteria listed in Item A within that spec sheet.

 

[bbchien]

Right! and that isn't a neurosurgeon (the guy with the knife). The Neurologist is a Medical specialist not a surgical specialist.. Your healthcare plan has access to one, almost for sure...

These are the "cerebral" guys. No forms and its' generally an error to attempt to "lead" one.

My doc, especially neurosurgeon, don't know what is needed.

A neurosurgeon isn't the right specialist and won't know what the request is really all about. I'd ask your Primary care guy for the referral!.

 

[Hang 4]

You also might want to think about working this through a specialist AME like Dr. Bruce. It might not be best to do this as a DIY exercise.