green

Agree with Navy 04 about it taking a while, I requested my C-File last December, although the VA will acknowledge receipt of my request, I'm still waiting. I'm in the middle of having my secondaries decided so maybe it's best that they wait at this point. In many cases your C-file may not be in the state you reside. Mine is in another state.

I had a C&P of my diabetic retinopathy late last month. It took the optometrist a couple weeks to finish the report and I read it two days ago. She stated during the exam that my eyes weren't bad at all and noted on the C&P write-up that I had "very mild diabetic neuropathy". and that I had one spot on one eye and two on another. I went for my regularly scheduled exam (again the VA) yesterday and was told something very different, first my eye pressure was high (considerably higher than noted on the C&P 2 weeks ago) and it was stated that I actually have three spots on one eye and that they were all very close to the optical nerve. They put me on a 6-month evaluation schedule and told me that if I notice any change in my vision to call them immediately. Yesterday's optometrist told me they have a retina specialist on staff that should also look at my eyes to see if there is anything they can do. This doesn't sound like "very mild peripheral neuropathy" to me.

I know that the statute directs the VA to give the benefit of decisions to the Vet but it is so clear that they do not. I get very angry when I read stories such as this. I'm not so sure that justice delayed is really justice at all.

The way I did the math was hands/feet 30, 20, 20, 20 which equates to a bilateral of 70% added to my current 60% would give me 88%, and take me to 90% Or, given there are two nerve groups impacting my hands and wrists, they may use the Lower Radicular Group 8515 which would rate me at hands/feet 40,30,20,20 and a bilateral of 80% and a total rating of 92%. I don't know the criteria however of when they choose to use a Radicular Group rather than a single nerve group, but as I said, I have two groups impacted. I have other conditions that will be rated as well.

*UPDATE* Final 2 C&P exam results were received by the RO and now my claim is in preparation for decision. I know not to depend on EBenefits but given the final two secondary conditions will most likely be rated at 0%, and the other C&P's were very well done documenting my issues including the severity II don't anticipate issues. Thanks, Green

I sincerely believe they will self report as there is much to lose otherwise. I also expect that they feel bad about their mistake and want to make it right as best they can. Word of mouth can be damaging, there is potential to lose a lot more than money.

lotzaspotz (great nick btw), Thank you for your response. I don't have a relationship with this physician per se. He is one specialist in a very large network of same-name clinics and I set up the appointment because the VA really wasn't taking the issue seriously and I needed information. The frustration here is that I told at least 5 people at the clinic not to send these reports, noted it on the release form as well, and still they sent it. I wanted to review the information first because as you know the VA takes information out of context and it can have long term financial impacts when they do so. I would not utilize the clinic again given the breach of trust. Apparently the first course of action is reporting the unapproved sharing of personal information to the DOL Office of Civil Rights. HHS will impose a penalty of at least $1000 per transgression and in this case there were two. The clinic representative told me that by law they have to self-report the incident to DOL. I really wasn't expecting the representative to ask me the $ question.

For some reason they farm out disability claims to different regional offices, I'm guessing it has something to do with workload. When I was in Alaska they sent mine to Utah.

So I had a conversation with the Doctor's office HR person a few days ago explaining the sharing of my personal information despite my having asked several folks not to share it with the VA. I received a call today that was very apologetic explaining they had researched the issue and they admitted that I had told everyone that would listen I didn't want them to share this information and even noted it on the release of information form. So her question to me was "what can we do to make this right?" I explained that at this point I didn't even know how to quantify the impact of their actions. She asked me to call her back in a week after I had a chance to think about it. Has anyone been down this road before??? Please keep in mind I am not trying to keep information from the VA, it's just that I feel I should be able to determine when and if information is shared. Thank you, Green

I requested my C-file the beginning of December, I have not yet received the copy. Green

If you want to see your C&P exam it will be on your healthevet account in 3 to 14 days. Mine took over 10 days to be visible. On the site, search your medical records using the blue button feature, it will appear under the "Notes" category. I searched the notes section every couple days until it was displayed. There are vets here that can also help you interpret the report. Green

asknod, I'm very happy for you

Anyone?

No, I paid for the visit. I didn't want the information to go to the VA before I had a chance to review. Sharing it should have been my decision, not the dr's office.

Has anyone taken action against a private provider regarding the improper sharing of medical information with the VA? I recently went to see a private cardiologist for some tests on my ticker. I told the office staff 3 times each during two appointments NOT to share my information with the VA. Yep, you guessed it, they sent copies of the doctor notes and evaluative tests to the VA without my permission. Green

I had my C&P done a few weeks ago. As far as I could tell they asked the questions found on the form located here http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960J-2-ARE.pdf There was a physical inspection which is of course embarrassing. If awarded it is typically a special monthly compensation of $103, unless there is a visual deformity (such as peyronie's disease) which could qualify for an additional rating of 20%. If you search on veterans administration + erectile dysfunction + compensation you will find several references.

In case others read this section in the future: I received a call from the RO today letting me know that as EBenefits hasn't been around long the date noted is not indicative or accurate but that they rely on records. They stated that the actual date in my records is in fact 12/1994. So, crisis averted.

I received a call from the VA RO today, they wanted to know if I would give them permission to move ahead without requesting medical records from 1983 - 1993. I told them that was fine as I feel my claims for secondary conditions are well documented with information from 1994 forward. Plus it really wouldn't make a difference as I started the claim on EBenefits last December and didn't complete it and submit until the end of July. It sounds like they have everything needed to make determinations with the exception of two C&P exams that the medical center has yet to submit (exam was last week). The other four have been submitted and received.

Actually there is a possible rating under 7522, Erectile Dysfunction but requires "deformity and loss of erectile power" you can search on the term and find several appeal references. It rates at 20% if you qualify.

I recently underwent a C&P for peripheral neuropathy and the nurse practitioner noted moderate damage to the Median 8515 and Ulnar 8516 nerves (but not the Radial nerve). I know that the VA will not rate both nerve groups but was wondering if in the case where more than one nerve is affected does a rater defer to and rate using the lower radicular group (8512) instead? Thanks in advance, Green

asknod, This is fantastic. When I read "Bring a day’s worth of loud, messy food and drink that stains carpets, a Tetra game with a loud audio and a friend with a hideous laugh that sounds like a goat." coffee spray covered my computer screen. Thank you for putting this together. Green

Very telling information, thank you broncovet

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/28/letter-president-alternative-pay-plan-uniformed-services Dated 8/28. The increase to those still in active service is going to be 1.3%, the same percent that has been in the President's budget. The House proposed 2.3% in their Budget in May, the Senate proposed 1.3% in there Budget in July.

I think we are talking about different things here. There are the current military, which are set to receive a 1.3% cost of living allowance this coming calendar year based on the president's budget (same percent for federal civilian employees). And then there is veterans administration disability compensation (and military retirement pay) which is the same as the annual social security cost of living increase. Everything I have read suggests there will be no cola this year.

I have a question in rating decision, I had a C&P for PN and it was noted that I have moderate paralysis in both the Median and Ulnar nerves (wrists/hands). I assume the VA rates for one affected nerve and not both but would like to ask those who have more experience in this area. Thank you, Green