C&P concerns

[Ddsr]

VETERANS...I wanted to express to all that we must stand up and united against what continues to be wrong with the Veterans Association. Specifically I want to talk to all about C&P exams. I recently had a C&P exam which in the end has me doing whatever I can and searching for information regarding what happened. During the C&P exam I from the beginning requested a form 10-5345. The examiner stated they did not know what that was. So I was from the beginning ready to let the examiner I was aware of what was going to happen. As the exam was completed I made sure I in fact turned in the release of information form 10-5345. As I read the notes I could not believe the examiner had written false information. Basically the examiner quoted things I never said which would hurt my claim. Today I received an email to complete that had to do with my recent C&P visit. This was sent by the VA. Since all of the scandalous exposure of the VA there has been a string of these surveys sent to Veterans. I can only hope these surveys will in fact be read and acted upon. I completed the survey explaining what happened and am in hopes that someone that has integrity from the VA will contact me to discuss further. I am also going to go over this with my VSO and further fill out paperwork on this incident. My point to all is DO NOT sit around and allow these things to happen. Lets all be proactive and keep pushing as has been the case now for about 3 years. I can see us gaining ground, but we must not rest on our laurels. 

[Buck52]

I whole heartily agree with Ms berta post above she nailed it to the wall in plain English. It could not have been laid out any better in her post.

 Years ago An IMO is what it took for me to win my claim over a VA C&P Examiner that tried his best for me not get my benefits and mess up my claim for increase.

Well he did cause VA to send me the old dreaded proposal to reduce  letter, However

Through the help from Ms T bird hadit and a few members like Ms berta and a Elder member that is not on here anymore  name'' Flip H''

helping me   the IMO with a specialist is what convince the VA that there VA Examiner they hired was full of sh*** and the specialist made him look  just plan stupid. he went into full details about his medical opinion and why and laid it all out there as to where the VA had no course but to approve.

IMO's Are expensive  especially when a specialist is called in  but it well worth every penny.

[Buck52]

I think we veterans should request our IMO $$ BACK when they approve us   this is hard $$ to come by for the Veteran  in most cases anywayz.

[jfrei]

I totally agree I mean if this is what they used to make their decision why not pay us back with the choice funds... 

[63Charlie]

How do I contact Sec. Shulkin?

I have a lot of information that he needs to hear.

[jfrei]

 

39 minutes ago, 63Charlie said:

How do I contact Sec. Shulkin?

I have a lot of information that he needs to hear.

david.shulkin@va.gov is his email 

[63Charlie]

Sent yesterday and waiting for a response:

 

Dear Secretary Shulkin,

 

I want to specifically address one thing.

 

 

I was given a C&P exam for my bilateral ankle condition by QTC on July 5, 2016.

 

The examiner opined that my current condition(arthritis) was at least as likely as not 

 

related to the  injuries I sustained during the two years I served on active duty in the US Army.

 

 

The St. Petersburg VARO failed to award  the disability benefit for my ankles 

 

even when they had  favorable medical evidence, AND had a favorable medical

 

opinion from their C&P examiner.

 

 

The VARO failed to award my disability benefit for my ankle condition.

 

 

I received a notice from the VA that a second C&P exam for my ankles had been scheduled for

 

December, 2016 at the Lake Baldwin CBOC.

 

 

I was surprised that the VARO was having another C&P exam done on my ankles only 

 

five months later.

 

 

The next examiner stated my disability was less likely as not service connected.

 

 

The second C&P exam was inadequate as the examiner totally ignored all of the favorable

 

evidence in the claims file. 

 

The claims file notes multiple diagnosis of functional stress injuries due to running of my

 

 lower extremities.

 

 

The examiner ignored my service treatment records of injury.

 

He falsely checked the boxes on the DBQ indicating that I had never been diagnosed with shin

 

splints, stress fractures, and tibial syndrome.

 

I stated to the examiner that I had weeks of pain in my feet and ankles during boot camp, and

 

later when I was stationed in an infantry unit in Germany.

 

I was given duty restrictions, and was prescribed Spenco orthotic foot supports.

 

 

The examiner falsely stated that there was no other medical diagnosis in my record even though 

 

private treatment records from my podiatrist and family care doctor were in my claims file.

 

 

The examiner also falsely reported that there was no imaging studies done and sent me for 

 

on-site xrays after he had finished examining me.

 

I had submitted two sets of xrays of my ankles, one weight-bearing and one non weight-bearing, 

 

and they were both in the claims file at the time of this C&P exam.

 

 

I reported for the xrays but during the manipulation, I had an acute attack of sciatica pain due to 

 

my spinal disorder, and couldn't complete the xrays.

 

 

The radiology technician had to assist in getting me off the xray table as I was in severe pain.

 

The radiology tech said he would let the doctor know what happened, and they could reschedule 

 

the xrays at a later date when I was able.

 

 

I received no further communication about having xrays rescheduled from that point on.

 

 

When I got a copy of this C&P exam, I see where the examiner stated that I didn't have the

 

 xrays done that he had ordered.

 

 

I told the examiner that I had endured foot, ankle, and lower extremity pain throughout the 

 

majority of my time in service. 

 

I told him that running elevated my pain.

 

He told me,"Some people shouldn't be running."

 

 

I  stated that I had endured chronic pain in my feet and ankles since my service injuries

 

which had progressively worsened over rime.

 

None of my lay statements were noted in this C&P exam.

 

 

Can you throw out the above-styled inadequate exam?

 

 

I submitted an IMO from a M.D. and it indicates that my posterior tibial tendons 

 

were damaged during service from running which resulted in adult acquired flat foot.

 

 

Post C&P exam, MRI studies were done which diagnosed soft tissue abnormalities of my 

 

tendons and ligaments which would have been undetectable on plain radiograms that the

 

C&P examiner had previously ordered.

 

 

 

If you want a clear drink of water you need to go to the head of the stream. 

 

I hope you can help me in this matter.

 

Sincerely.

 

XXXXX XXXXX

Edited September 22, 2017 by 63Charlie