paulstrgn

I am impressed, I was just contacted by QTC to set up my C&P for ED on May 29. This is the fastest it has been so far.

I will go for sure. I just confused about the cervical nerve issue. But I will surly go and see what exactly they are looking at. If for some reason they say I have issues there great. I am not sure how they will service connect it is all. i will take copies of my MRI and latest x-ray results.

I received a call from VES setting me up for a new C&P with a Dr. Pinnaka in Virginia Beach for the May 24. I am a little confused (more than usual - ), the women told me I was being evaluated for an increase for my back, the radiculopathy in my lower legs and my cervical radiculopathy. This stems from proposal to reduce on my back and radiculopathy in my lower legs. I am not understanding the cervical radiculopathy part, I have never claimed this so I do not know why I am being evaluated for this. When I asked about the cervical radiculopathy she said the VA has requested it. Should I ask the VA why or just go with it?

It really does drive me crazy Vetquest when the VA does these things. I hate it since there is nothing to track since it is an internal process.

@Berta All I can say is I really appreciate all the information and guidance you provide us, I find it very helpful. I must admit I am very envious of your knowledge of VA issues!

I suggest you look at all your options before you spend $18K, if it is a money back guarantee then it's worth it (I know it's not). My rule of thought is when you spend any amount of money whether for VA help or on slot machines in Las Vegas that you can afford to lose that money. Never expect to win, you can certainly hope you will win though. Every time I buy as lotto ticket I think of it as entertainment and not a financial investment. I know it is hard to make these decisions, just don't rush into it is all. Good luck with your claims.

I did file my claim for ED yesterday, not sure how long it will take to make a decision on but it is filed. On a side note I had talked with someone from the VA (I had emailed the regional director in Roanoke, VA and she had him contact me) with speaking with him we talked about when does the VA look at previous disabilities. He told me whenever someone files for an IU the VA will look at all of their disabilities again. It sounds like the VA does not want to approve anyone for IU which I think is crap!

@Berta I did contact QTC about the doctor who put false information on my DBQ. When I call QTC at 800-682-9701 and they gave me an email address to email my concerns which I have done. That email address is Incident.Report@QTCM.com. @shrekthetank1 I did not contact the Hampton Roads VA because I had email the Regional Director in Roanoke, VA ( @Berta - I thank you for posting her information on Hadit) about my complaint, she had someone from her staff call me and they are now going to have a new C&P performed on me. I spoke with this person for more than 1 hour about the issues I have with this doctor. I am not 100% pleased with the outcome because they will only give me a new eval for my back and also two nerve issues in my back (I am pissed that they will look at these two nerve issues I had never asked for an increase for this issue. It is because of this doctor). The doctors DBQ triggered a proposal in reduction for my back 20% to 10% and two Femoral nerve issues in my legs from 20% to 0% (they say because the DBQ shows these issues have improved which is false). I will also have a hearing about this proposal to reduce. Every time I think about this I want to scream!!! On the bright side the person I spoke to at the VA gave me his phone number and said to call him 1 - 2 weeks after the DBQ is completed and he will tell me what it says so I will know prior to the hearing.

@Richard1954 I do appreciate the information you sent.

@GBArmy and @shrekthetank1 bring evidence to your exam. When I go for my back I bring a copy of my MRI and copies of x-rays, I just tell them in case they want to see them. All but one of them have been happy that I brought them along. When I am called by QTC/LHI/VES and I don't like the doctor or NP that they want to schedule me for I ask is it possible to be seen by someone else, they have always said yes and it does not count as a re-schedule. I am just very friendly with them when I ask. Like shrekthetank1 said when they use their tool you want to stop as soon as it hurts, only suck it up if you want a bad rating. Also as I have read on this site, you want to tell them about your worse day. Good luck with your C&P.

@Richard1954 I would be retiring from the federal government with approximately 40 1/2 years of federal service (I bought back my military time) so there would be no penalty for me. In fact if I were to retire prior to 62 I would get a FERS offset $1,047 until I am eligible for SS. I would have no penalties when I retire since I have the age and the number of federal service years. The only thing that happens is I lose my military retirement check when I retire since I bought back my military time., but what I lose I gain in my retirement check being larger. I would also get SS (at a reduced rate since I would start at 62) plus my two minor sons would receive SS (that will be for their college fund).

Trust me it was not easy for me but somethings you have too.

Yes I do hate discussing my ED with female doctors, much more comfortable with male doctors (I am just old fashion about that), I was in from 3/78 - 7/1995 17 years 3 months (they were offering early retirements back then). I will submit what I have and see what they say.

Yes the military knew about it when I joined and yes the military made it worse. In the service they treated me for pulled muscles and back issues. I saw many military specialist while active duty. No I did not have ED in the military, that came along several years later.

My IVDS (Scoliosis is a birth defect) and I have had ED well before my first VA claim.

@Buck52 and @GeekySquid I am looking around on the VA My Health site and I just downloaded a file which shows: Is this enough for the ED claim? It is from 10/20/2016, I had a psychical with the VA so I could get a pair of glasses? Active problems - Computerized Problem List is the source for the following: 1. Benign hypertension 2. Erectile dysfunction 3. Scoliosis 4. OSA It also list Non-VA SILDENAFIL TAB 100MG MOUTH ACTIVE

@GeekySquid It certainly sounds like you are doing your homework, hopefully your NOD will fall in your favor. Hopefully you get a VA rater who reads everything and can connect the dots!

Buck I have been diagnosed for ED and I do receive the blue pill. I am thinking it is my chronic back pain causing my ED. No deformity of the penis. I will file the claim for ED and submit what documents I have establishing that I have ED along with my medications. I know my medication I am taking for my depression does cause ED. I am not sure how far back they will SC the ED, I only started with the VA since 7/2015.

@GeekySquid Thanks for the information.My nerve issues, hip issues, and depression are secondary to my IVDS. My hand, skin, and flat feet are separate issues. You make me laugh, I can hardly remember most things anymore. I forget very quickly at times. I will file for the ED and see where it goes and I will also talk to my PCM about the voiding dysfunction. I am thinking unless I get IU for 100% I will probably not be eligible for SMC S unless it is for housebound. I did not know of a stadium buddy, I will have to look for that. My wife is doing okay, I am making her stay in bed today and probably tomorrow too. After that I will be helping her get around (just no stairs before Friday). Thank you for asking,

You also have HLR (Higher Level Review) before going to the BVA, I am using this route since I do not have new evidence. I must admit I find it interesting that the LHI examiner wrote a statement in support of the claim after the denial, I like that she was willing to do that. But I wonder what the VA will think? Just wondering is all. There are a lot of caring contracting (LHI, QTC, & VES) doctors out there and unfortunately a few crappy ones too.

@vetquest Okay. I will need to find a doctor then, on base the military doctors won't do DBQs for retirees.

DO I need to see a doctor at my expense to fill out the DBQ for ED? It is in my records already that I have ED, it has been in my records for more than 10 years. There is no documentation for the issues of voiding dysfunction, one of my issues i hate talking about.

I pray that you never qualify for these either...in a good way Buck!!

@Buck52 I would never had thought of seeing if I could get pads prescribed by my doctor (I get my prescriptions on post). I have never discussed this issue with my doctor before and obviously I need too.

@Richard1954 I am a Federal employee and am under FERS and not CSRS (I wish I was CSRS I would get a lot more in retirement), HQ human resources has calculated my retirement and SS does not effect my retirement. I should be okay as far as that goes.