cvsp

Hi all, Been a while since I have been in this forum. I sort of come and go with getting my troubles with the VA worked out (read: get frustrated with it). This time around I am working with the DAV on a increase for CFS. Service records are riddled with mention of all the symptoms, including actual diagnosis for CFS which I hear is rare for the time frame of my service 89-95. Just had another C&P exam this week. Dr went over and added a lot of stuff over the CFS:. IBS, Scars, Lower back pain, EPSTEIN BAR VIRUS and skin rash. Not sure why all the add-ons, but I assume it cannot hurt? Needless to say the exam was 3 hours, unconformable and made me uneasy. Of most concern is what was noted on the CFS portion. I am reading up today to see what all it means and what the possible ratting might be, I post such here as any advice from the experts would be grateful. I tried to clean it up as much as possible to shorten the post and remove personal information. If this is out of line for this forum I apologize in advance. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Disability Benefits Questionnaire Name of patient/Veteran: xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [X] In-person examination Evidence review --------------- Was the Veteran's VA claims file reviewed? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, list any records that were reviewed but were not included in the Veteran's VA claims file: ALL ELECTRONIC DATA 1. Diagnosis ------------ Does the Veteran now have or has/she ever been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome? [X] Yes [ ] No [X] Chronic fatigue syndrome ICD code: UNKNOWN Date of diagnosis: 1991 2. Medical History ------------------ a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome: United States Army veteran who served in the Gulf War. army 1989-1995 He lives alone in a his home in xxxxxxxx. He has a college ed and is currently employed . -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, AND IBS W DIARRHEA. He is not currently taking medication. PMH: Low Back Pain (ICD-9-CM 724.2) Hyperlipidemia (ICD-9-CM 272.4) Coin Lesion, Pulmonary (ICD-9-CM 793.1) Stress (ICD-9-CM 308.9) Hand Injuries (ICD-9-CM 959.4) Diarrhea, chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Moderate (DSM-IV 296.32/ICD-9-CM 296.32) b. Is continuous medication required for control of chronic fatigue syndrome? [ ] Yes [X] No If yes, are the Veteran's symptoms controlled by continuous medication? [ ] Yes [ ] No c. Have other clinical conditions that may produce similar symptoms been excluded by history, physical examination and/or laboratory tests to the extent possible? [X] Yes [ ] No d. Did the Veteran have an acute onset of chronic fatigue syndrome? [X] Yes [ ] No e. Has debilitating fatigue reduced daily activity level to less than 50% of pre-illness level? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, specify length of time daily activity level has been reduced to less than 50% of pre-illness level: [ ] Less than 6 months [X] 6 months or longer 3. Findings, signs and symptoms ------------------------------- a. Does the Veteran now have or has the Veteran had any findings, signs and symptoms attributable to chronic fatigue syndrome? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, check all that apply: [X] Debilitating fatigue [X] Generalized muscle aches or weakness [X] Fatigue lasting 24 hours or longer after exercise [X] Headaches (of a type, severity or pattern that is different from headaches in the pre-morbid state) [X] Migratory joint pains [X] Neuropsychological symptoms [X] Sleep disturbance b. Does the Veteran now have or has the Veteran had any cognitive impairment attributable to chronic fatigue syndrome? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, check all that apply: [X] Poor attention [X] Inability to concentrate [X] Forgetfulness [X] Confusion c. Specify frequency of symptoms: [X] Symptoms are nearly constant d. Do the Veteran's symptoms due to chronic fatigue syndrome restrict routine daily activities as compared to the pre-illness level? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, specify % of restriction (check all that apply): [X] Symptoms are so severe as to restrict routine daily activities almost completely e. Do the Veteran's symptoms due to chronic fatigue syndrome result in periods of incapacitation? [ ] Yes [X] No 4. Other pertinent physical findings, scars, complications, conditions, signs and/or symptoms ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- a. Does the Veteran have any scars (surgical or otherwise) related to any conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the Diagnosis section above? [ ] Yes [X] No b. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs and/or symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? [ ] Yes [X] No 5. Diagnostic testing --------------------- Are there any significant diagnostic test findings and/or results? [ ] Yes [X] No 6. Functional impact -------------------- Does the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome impact his or her ability to work? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, describe the impact of the Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome, providing one or more examples: NO RELATIONSHIPS, HAS DIFFICULTY HOLDING DOWN A JOB, 7. Remarks, if any: ------------------- No remarks provided. Thanks in advance for any input, possible guess on rating percent or advice as to what I should be doing to follow up. :)

Thanks all for the help. Lots of good ideas. Only wish I had someone to take with me. Alas I do not. Is there any tests given? I am worried about taking tests.

Hi all, I spent today trying to search as to what to expect for my upcoming C&P exam for PTSD. Actually a bit nervous about it. I knot in my stomach even. Previously I thought I had read some notes on what to expect, but alas I cannot find them now. Anyone have any insight as to what to expect?

Thanks all for your thoughts. So is it the rater or the board that is calling for the second C&P? This one is for PTSD. Something that was not covered at all in the first C&P. Talk about inefficiency.

224 days into my claim. Did my C&P last Feb 24th. Now today I get a call from the hospital for another C&P for PTSD. Except that appointment will be another month away. WTF, could this process be any slower? Why did they not set this C&P up months ago. Just now all of a sudden. IRIS told me this week that my claim was looking good and possibly was at the board and I should be getting a decision 30-45 days from now. Kind of hard to do when I have a C&P next month. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for listening to my rant.

Do not most if not all insurance policies have a war time clause?

68, Thanks goodness for hadit! The sad part is, if you did not read it here (Virtual) and told the phone rep how to do his or her job, you would be left out in the dark. I think most of us, upon completion of our claims and thanks to hadit will be more versed then some if not most of the phone reps. PS I know one of the IRIS call centers is in Ohio.

and this something requesting banking information? I just see people always stating that the sometimes the money will be in the bank before you get the award letter. Making me think I missed a step. Thanks Pete.

At what stage do you hand over your banking information? My claims is supposedly at the rater and I am 99% sure I never passed that info over?

Well third time was not a charm with IRIS. Took a couple of days after I submitted. Instead of phoning like I requested I got an email. The email I got was useless and contradicted everything I was told before. I responded back by email asking why I was emailed instead of called. Completely ignored that question, and the relevant question was responded to with more confusing gibberish that had absolutely nothing to do with my claim or questions. In conclusion the third time was useless not a charm. I guess it is the luck of the draw.

Curt, While I am no expert I have seen experts agree many times with your statement. With a contractor you can only get them form the VA.

I am not sure how others feel, but it is just another useless study by the VA. They come and go and nothing is done about the results.

Well I just got off the phone with the VA. Seems that I just need to "let it be" at this time and hope for the earlier effective date. If not then file a NOD. I think this is the best idea. I know see that a rater yet inferred another issue. Gulf War Syndrome. WTF? is all I can say. My first claim which was denied was for GWS stating that there was no such diagnosis. Now a rater within the VA is adding GWS to this claim? Phone rep told me that some raters are starting to add it.

My separation exam is in my SMRs (I have the originals). It is nothing more then the average "Report of Medical Examination" sheet. In the purpose of exam it says "ETS"

From what little I know. I think wait and see is correct. Disturb the process now and it might take a lot longer. At least you will get the 40% and then can file for increase after that. Good luck!