hubbardsw

Good to hear BED is working. Unfortunately for me, I filled my BED claim 6 months prior to retirement but didn't get my first exam until 7 months later.

They were done by an outside contractor. MSLA

After yesterday's decent PTSD I was hoping for a good exam today. I hate to say today wasn't so pleasant. I had my initial C&p for all claims done at once. The Dr. Started by sitting in front of the computer and asking some questions. He kept asking if my claimed condition were in service. I had to tell him multiple times I retired from the USMC just last month after 20 years and every condition was in my medical records from both military and civilian Doctors and we're submitted to the VA. He acted as if he had not reviewed any medical records. He then proceeded with what appears to be the normal ROM test. However, he would only once in awhile take an actual measurement and only on the side of my body I wasn't claiming. I have a hip condition of my left hip that has included one surgery with out relief. A paralyzed left foot, lower back pain (left), broken left foot (3times) tendonitist in my left ankle/foot. Pinched l4/l5. The very first twist of my hip the dr. attempted caused severe pain in my hip, which effected every Rom of the left hip and back. As far as the left foot there is no ROM, however the dr. Didn't even attempt to take measurements of anything on the left side only the right, and even then he picked and chooses. When I would ask him a question about anything he would refuse to answer. Quoting he was allowed to have any discussion with the veteran. At the conclusion he apologized for causing any pain but stated he had to make sure veterans really had limited ROM and injuries and we're not just claiming it. Really not sure how it went, during the exam he took only a few scribbles and again asked me if my injuries really occurred in the military. Seemed he was out to get me from the start and I overheard another veteran in the waiting room complaining to his wife about the same thing. Not really sure how he can do a good job without actually reviewing all my service records at many of the complaints we'll documented and all of them being in-service nor only taking sporadic measurements.

I just finished my C&P Exam a couple hours ago and I was a little surprised. I recently retired from the Marine Corps and had already had been diagnosed with PTSD with depressive features from a civilian provider (GAF 50/65), what ever that means. I was nervous going into the exam. As soon as she met with me she asked if I had "ever done this before" and I explained to her I have already been receiving treatment weekly/bi-weekly for PTSD. She seemed surprised (I had already sent the VA my records from the other provider and I thought they would have sent them to her to review) She was pleasant and explained that it should only take about 30 min. She asked me a little about my background as a child, my military career (Job, Deployment, Ect) and a little about post military. She asked me I had seen combat and a little about it. She did not try and pry into anything (I really didn't feel like digging into it again) I saw or did in Iraq and really only spent a few minutes on the subject. I talked about the issues I was having, anxiety, anger, unable to deal with crowds, driving , family, ect. She asked me if I thought I had PTSD and I explained to her, at first I really didn't know much about it, and was taught as a Marine to "suck it up and deal with it" I just knew I have a problem and need help. i told her my other civilian provider diagnosed me with PTSD. She asked about my current work and I explained I hate it and wanted to quit. She agreed the current line of work was probably not the best. The whole appt was maybe 30-40 min, with her mostly just listening and taking a few notes. At the end she explained she was also diagnosing me with PTSD with depression although not debilitating. She said I definitely have problems but she wasn't afraid I couldn't' function at all or I would go get arrested tomorrow. I was just a little surprised how laid back and quick the whole thing was.