green

I logged into my healthy vet and viewed my C&P write-ups this evening. I first read the doctor opinions and he agreed with every secondary I claimed. I am not sure how my other secondaries will turn out, but I'm posting the rating section of the Peripheral Neuropathy C&P below. I believe I see a moderate rating for both hands and feet. I'm not sure what the actual ratings will translate to (percentages that is) a. Does the Veteran have an upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, indicate nerve affected, severity and side affected: Radial nerve (musculospiral nerve Right: [X] Normal [ ] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis Left: [X] Normal [ ] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis Median nerve Right: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe Left: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe Ulnar nerve Right: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe Left: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe b. Does the Veteran have a lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy? [X] Yes [ ] No If yes, indicate nerve affected, severity and side affected: Sciatic nerve Right: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Moderately Severe [ ] Severe, with marked muscular atrophy Left: [ ] Normal [X] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis If Incomplete paralysis is checked, indicate severity: [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Moderately Severe [ ] Severe, with marked muscular atrophy Femoral nerve (anterior crural) Right: [X] Normal [ ] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis Left: [X] Normal [ ] Incomplete paralysis [ ] Complete paralysis

I received the same email yesterday..... A great example of an Agency shrouded in negative publicity trying to claw it's way to positive recognition.

Actually a PA performed the evaluation and wrote the report, I suppose it isn't official until a Dr signs it?

Update (sort of) I called the VA Med Center this morning to ask if my C&P forms were available (exams completed August 19th) and was told the reports were complete but were waiting for the doctor to sign. I explained that it had been 8 days and the very nice records person told me she has seen it take up to a month for the Dr. to sign these forms. I suppose it is a matter of priority for whom I assume is a very busy physician. According to EBenefits the request has a due date of 9/5/15, so hopefully the DR will at least meet the RO's established due date. Green

USMC_VET, it was at the VA Hospital they were completed by a PA or NP

I'm happy for you RickH. Green

I've come to terms with the fact that I am depressed due to watching my physical condition deteriorate, the constant pain, lack of regular sleep, the impact of prescription drugs on my ability to concentrate, and the fact I can no longer do the things that used to bring me satisfaction and joy. It was suggested that I apply for a secondary depression rating. I have not seen a doctor. I simply do my best to ignore this reality and keep my mind occupied by the more positive aspects of my life and feeling grateful for what I do have and the reality that I am much better off than many of my brothers and sisters on this website. If any of you have been down this road and have successfully filed a claim I would sincerely appreciate your suggestions and guidance. Thank you, Green

I had to go to the medical center for another appointment so I decided to stop in at the records center and ask for a pathology report and my C&P documents as they are not yet on myhealthevet. I was told that they didn't have them and that they would mail them to me at some future time. I'm not sure I really want to rely on the VA sending me these reports so figured I'd give them another week and drop in again.

63SIERRA, hoping through this decision you will find some measure of peace. Green

I'm happy for you usmc1962!

Tomahawk, in which section of myhealthevet?

I agree USMC_VET, the approach is simply a knee-jerk reaction and they rarely consider the implications. My all-time favorites are the decisions that are driven solely due to money. They can save $5 on a prescription by changing the med and given the number of vets that take the prescription it results in significant savings. Of course it doesn't really seem to matter that the new prescription doesn't work as well.

Yes, I was on tramadol for a couple years for PN pain. All the other drugs messed with my noodle and decreased my ability to concentrate. It didn't eliminate the pain but certainly helped. Seems as though the VA now views it on par with narcotics (which is ridiculous given it isn't addictive). So given the new view towards this drug, the VA took me off tramadol and have been trying other drugs which don't work as well or impact my ability to think/concentrate. I was taking 50mg a couple times a day. Green

Can someone tell me under which category I can find VA conducted C&P exam results? Many Thanks, Green

Had my 4 C&P's. The PA was professional, at the end he told me that all my secondary conditions would be accepted and that I had plenty of supporting documentation. He said all that was left was for him to opine in my favor and send the information to the Regional Office he stated it will most likely take them 3 to 4 months to complete the process. I was surprised that he actually suggested I apply for another condition which he felt could easily be supported. I'll wait and read the C&P documentation after it is on myhealthevet. All in all I feel pretty good about the potential outcome. Green

I have 4 C&P exams scheduled tomorrow. I submitted a fully developed claim for each of the secondary conditions I am claiming. The documentation is very straight forward and supportive (with a single exception the documentation provided came from the VA). One claim is for peripheral neuropathy and even though I had a private Neurologist complete the form and conduct a nerve conduction study and EMG, the VA has decided to conduct a C&P. Does anyone know how long until I'll be able to gain access to the C&P exams, will they be available through myhealthyvet? Any words of advice would be appreciated. Green

Whoever directed the VA employees and contractors to shred these documents should be fired. It is sickening to see the VA OIG audit and document these issues and then never seeing any corrective or punitive action taking place.

Received a letter today (from the Wisconsin Evidence Intake Center) from the VA summarized below: We are working on your claim We asked the VA medical facility nearest you to schedule you for an exam in connection with your claim. They will notify of the date, time, and place of the examination. I know that my claim is being worked in Montana, so I assume that these sorts of letters must all come from the Wisconsin Evidence Intake Center? Green

I have to tell you that the majority of my exam notes state some sort of error. As an example, I recently went to a VA podiatrist to perform an exam for a diabetic shoe recommendation. During the exam the Doctor noted that I have lost my protective sensation (consistent with 2 neurologists) and made the recommendation for diabetic shoes. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the notes which stated that my protective sensation is intact. I went to the VA center and complained so they had a second podiatrist look at my feet and he added an addendum to the first doctors notes stating the facts. I'd like to say that this sort of sloppy documentation is unusual but the truth is it happens all the time. How do you change a culture that has a little regard for accuracy and thoroughness.? It seems to me that very few VA medical folks could maintain a job in private practice, hey, maybe that is why they work for the VA (I know that was snarky but sometimes I really wonder).

I'm so tired of reading the many examples of senseless tragedy associated with the VA's action or inaction...

Just for everyone's information who is reading this post. I had an attorney tell me that if you are a fed it's very important that you document your medical issues and the problems you are having doing your job. This includes talking to management as they will be approached after you leave to verify your claim. Also, I read today that if you have problems meeting just one critical element in your performance plan due to medical issues that may be all you need to qualify. That isn't to say that all disabilities will justify a disability retirement, the issues should be difficult to accomidate.

Changes to EBenefits Status changed from Preparation for Decision to Gathering of Evidence Estimated Completion Date changed from 10/08/2015 - 11/14/2015 to 02/15/2016 to 05/02/2016 Also says "Development Letter Sent" Anyone know what this means? This is New: What do we still need from others: (guessing C&P Exam/s?) Item: Phoenix, AZ From: Date Requested: 08/06/2015 Date Due: 09/12/2015 Follow-up Date:

As I've stated on a few other posts I submitted an expedited claim for 5 conditions last month. I'm wondering what the process is if I want to submit a separate expedited claim for a different condition. I'm concerned about timing and the overall process and am asking for advice. I'm a long time service connected Diabetic (33+ years). Unrelated to my existing claim, I have had issues with a high resting pulse rate, occasional irregular heart beat (several times a day the irregular heart beat makes me cough). I've noticed some additional changes recently where my feet swell and my blood pressure which was always 120/80 has been inching up over the last year+ (and on medication it is around 130/88). Looking to rule out causes for another secondary condition the VA scheduled and performed a CT scan which noted I have an enlarged heart. The Dr. that read the CT suggested I see a cardiologist but of course my primary care PA decided that a EKG was enough for now. So I made an appointment next week to see a cardiologist outside the VA. So my question is: If the cardiologist notes some sort of heart related disease, does it make sense to wait and file for a secondary rating (until current claims are decided) or is there a mechanism to start a new claim that won't impact the current timeline for my current expedited claim? Green

I hope you are right Buck. They sent the supporting primary disability effective date documentation to the rater who is working my secondary conditions in Montana.

I think I just learned a lesson. As I stated above I submitted an expedited claim for 5 secondary conditions. Prior to submitting my claim for secondary conditions I contacted the VA to let them know that they had an incorrect effective date for my primary disability (they had it as 2008, was actually 1994). I contacted the RO today and was told that the VA took the contact letter and other supporting documentation I provided, to show their dates were wrong, and added it to my expedited claim and stated it will be decided with my secondary conditions. My fear is that my expedited claim is now going to track along the normal "slow boat to China" route.