FlyHigh1995

I just checked out his site, very informative. Keeping it in perspective, this job market is quite competitive...not really sure VocRehab can help. Few jobs that pay liveable wages. Not what you know, but who you know(nepotism). Personally I think veterans preference, especially for federal jobs is just for show. It’s just a shame VocRehab financed an expensive program I didn’t think would make me marketable. But, I accepted it because it’s all they offered. Now, after I complete the program I wanted ... nursing school, which is actually a lot less expensive, I will be gainfully employed...even though I make $10 ph now as a CNA, I’ve been offered a tentative offer at the hospital I work at upon completing my degree & getting my nursing license, plus tuition reimbursement. I guess, then VocRehab can say I’m gainfully employed and terminate my rehab plan...no thanks to them, but it all worked out in the end.

Definitely a scam when they purposely give you false info about what your entitled to. I don’t get it...the counselors act as if their paying out of their own pockets to provide veterans benefits. Most I’ve encountered also act as though they hate their job. I’d do their job happily and be appreciative of gainful employment & a federal job..all jobs have some degree of stress; their caseload can’t be that bad...lol. I met one vet at VocRehab at a resume/interview course (this was about the only help they offered)...lol. I think non of us attendees needed help on interviewing or resume writing, but I’m appreciative) he actually told attendees he had five degrees, VocRehab paid for two and some other certifications. Then he said he turned down six figure jobs because they didn’t offer him enough...lol...and he was still using VocReb. He said he had no problem getting VocRehab benefits; yet so many others do. This just proves counselors seem to make random unfair decisions.

According to Ebenefits, I have about 12 months left on my current VocRehab contract. This is the first time I’ve used Vocrehab. I completed my VocRehab education over two years ago. Still no gainful employment. My counselor elected Business program (certificate) because I used GI bill for useless business degree (I didn’t know it would be useless at the time)lol...and denied my request for nursing school with no explanation, even though I was a nursing assistant and had all nursing pre reqs done. To me it’s common sense that if my business degree is useless why would counselor choose another business program for me? Initially he denied me any services and only obliged after I sent him emails quoting Voc rehab Regs and letting him know I KNEW what I was entitled to. Now, I’ve been accepted into a competitive nursing program which cost 3x less than the Business program counselor chose for me. The only work I can find Is as a nursing assistant making $10 ph. Does anyone know if I can appeal and request to use VocRehab for nursing? Funny enough two of my classmates are vets using VocRehab for the nursing program. Last years graduates were offered employment even before graduation. None of my disabilities would preclude me from nursing school. My VocRehab office switches out counselors every 3 months and the last newer counselor asked why I didn’t select nursing as my program after she checked my records, resume, education, nursing assistant license....I told her, “the counselor before you wouldn’t approve it.” Wish she was my counselor to begin with...lol.

I agree! Sounds like my experience. Funny enough every VocRehab employee at my office was a veteran themselves. They refused to help me twice. After I stopped talking and started communicating by email to them and quoting the Vocrehab regulations and letting them know...I knew what I was entitled to....then they approved me immediately (they didn’t like me, but I got results). I had to tell counselor I knew about the supplies and equipment VocRehab offered, like a laptop, etc. Only then, did he oblige. Sadly my school’s Vet office personnel didn’t like working with my counselor either. However, my counselor picked a program for me. I completed program, however still no gainful employment after two years...mostly due to the high occurrence of nepotism where I live. I originally wanted them to approve nursing school, but was denied. Nursing is gainful employment, I already had all pre reqs done. Now, I’ve been accepted to a competitive nursing program...which is 3x less expensive than the program my counselor chose and students are offered jobs before graduation. Eventually my counselor left, a new counselor looked at my credentials, resume and past education and asked why I didn’t choose nursing in VocRehab. She was actually pleasant. I laughed and explained that previous counselor denied me and how I wish she’d been my initial counselor.

I will implement this in my appeal. Thanks for sharing! I will also bring a copy of my records IMO, IME, DBQs if I have another C&P...never occurred to me that examiner may not have all the info. important to my case. But my recent examiner lacked ethics and just straight up notated falsehoods...but I guess it’s my word against hers. Have to do the VA’s job for them if it pertains to you and you want it done right! Now I’m getting it!

I was thinking the same thing, gives me hope!

Even though my IME/IMO, DBQs were ignored. I know their still valuable evidence in my appeal! I’m currently in nursing school and we are taught to document in detail the info. patients tell us...some documentation can become quite extensive. I just wish my doctors would document a bit better because it’s imperative to my claims...I recall having to ask an Urgent Care doctor if he could notate in more detail what my symptoms were and his diagnosis. He obliged with no problem...I guess it’s not his fault VA is so particular and looks for key wording...lol.

Thank you all for your insights and sharing your experiences. I wish I’d not waited so long to file claims; have a feeling had I done it when I separated it would’ve been so much easier.

I agree wholeheartedly. They definitely lacked in giving exact reason within my denial letter. After reading their reasoning, in my opinion they have actually helped my appeal. Makes a lot of sense!

Besides IMO/IME, DBQs as supporting documentation. I was given advice to use Ebenefits secure messaging system to show documented communication between my provider and I. Fortunately, I have a dedicated and caring VA provider. However, I notice doctors, even the non-VA doctors don’t necessarily document in their notes pertinent info./symptoms I tell them that are important to my claim. I kept asking my primary care provider for a referral for sleep study and kept getting delays. I paid for a study and was diagnosed by non-VA pulmonologist. I used secure messaging today and was told I can consult with VA sleep center for a CPAP and titration test. If I hadn’t put it in email and attached my records, I think I’d still be waiting. Same thing occurred when I applied for VA vocrehab, I was denied initially, but I sent my counselor email communication and quoted regulations as to my entitlements and finally counselor approved me (he didn’t care for me after the emails) but I got results. DOCUMENTATION is everything! EMAIL communication makes people a bit more professional and accountable.

Your point of view and experience gives me a lot to think about! I like the perspective of looking at the challenge as “letting VA have there small victory”. Honestly, there decision letter & reasons for denial pretty much make my case look even more promising and my rebuttals/evidence even stronger.

I’m more confident now with an attorney and my evidence that I have a pretty good chance of rebutting the C&P examiners report. Not sure I want to spend more money on DBQs, IMOs, IMEs...if VA seems to ignore them. But I may give Dr. Anaise a try after consulting with him on getting an IMO for recent obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes Diagnosis secondary to Gerd. Been working overtime paying for medical expertise...just making my disabilities worse. But I will prevail in my quest for benefits.

I was actually told by a VA employee that the system is designed to deter veterans and hope we give up. The more we pursue benefits the better chance we have. I have a 10% and several 0% service connections. Recently, in my quest for an increase my claims were denied even after submitting an IMO/IME from Dr. Ellis and DBQs from another doctor who previously worked for VA and had experience in C & P exams (both were very knowledgeable and professional)I kind of feel when the VA sees some of same doctors writing IMO’ s for vets, they tend to not value the expertise any longer. But it’s challenging to find doctors willing to write expert opinions or do DBQs. I was sent for C&P exam 1 month after I submitted my evidence. The denial letter basically said VA took the words of the C&P Nurse Practitioner over the private MDs...claiming Nurse Practitioner supplied the most recent evidence, although the IMO/IME and DBQs were done a month prior. Now I have an attorney who is VA certified and gets compensated by VA if attorney helps me win my claim. Fingers crossed, I don’t think they accept cases unless they think they can win! Lol

Thank you all for your knowledge and advice. From your inputs...looks like I have numerous resources & rights I can use in order to gain benefits if my flawed C&P exam ruins my chances of an increase and service connections. I will definitively utilize the suggestions. Spending money on IMOs or anymore DBQs will be my last resort. Of course I will seek assistance from an attorney for an appeal if they can represent me on a contingency basis.

Thank you for the advice and recommendations! It seems the claims system is set up to deter veterans. They hope you give up after they deny you (I’ve actually been informed of this by a former VA employee). In the past I just gave up...this time I will appeal and seek help from a VSO or attorney. I hope it’s true that some lawyers only charge 20% of retroactive pay and no other fees. I’ve been told VA pays the attorney directly if claim is won. I know a lot of them offer free consultations and will only accept a case if they think you have a valid winnnable appeal as to not waste the veterans or their time. But I may be presuming too much...maybe the RO will consider the DBQs I submitted from a doctor more valid than the incomplete/inaccurate DBQ the VA Nurse Practioner submitted. Ebenefits moved my estimated claim decision from Mar to now June. I claimed as a FDC in Dec 2018. Fighting for benefits is costly & along with my full time job, I will have to get a part time job to cover any IMO or legal expenses if need be. I already spent money on three DBQs. Which were under $300 a piece...which I’m thankful because other doctors/specialist quoted me at $1500 or more & most doctors refuse to fill them out.

Thank you to everyone who shares information and experiences! My question: Is it wise for me to attach a memo to my claim detailing the inaccurate info. on my C&P exam since I have proof it’s inaccurate? I just figure it can’t hurt and maybe it will result in me having to avoid an appeal if I can make RO aware of discrepancies now. I almost feel like I need a camera & microphone to record exams; which I wouldn’t do, it’s probably against the rules...but when medical professionals lie on reports...it’s tempting. I would like to say she made mistakes, but she blatantly falsified information. Unfortunately, this seems common practice during alot of VA exams. I recently had a C&P exam with a Nurse Practitioner for a Gerd/Hiatel Hernia increase. I’m currently 10%. I have symptoms for 60%, including occasional vomiting of blood and emergency room visits. I also claimed services connections for a couple of medical issues. After reading the VA examiners responses to the DBQ questions, I noticed she blatantly falsified info. Stating she performed exams she never actually physically did. She stated I hadn’t had labs or endoscopy for a Gerd; which are actually in my records. She checked the “No” box to questions regarding whether or not my disability affected my work, even though I told her “Yes” and I actually went into great detail as to how my work is affected. I actually had a non VA doctor (who used to actually be a Comp & Pen Examiner with the Va) fill out DBQs, including one for Gerd. She reviewed my records and put all the right language on DBQ including that she reviewed my SC records and prior C&P exams and statements like “ as least as likely as not...etc...” . I thought Comp & Pens were not necessary if veterans submit completed DBQ from a Non Va doctor. I plan to get an IMO if I have to appeal.

Thanks Berta. I now realize I have homework to do regarding my claim. What you posted makes a lot of sense. I basically need to go through my records thoroughly and organize and pinpoint specifics related to my case. I thought since the VA has my records I could just file a claim and they’d be able to locate my conditions within my records.

I really appreciate you all taking the time to share your experiences and knowledge. I wish I had this information years ago! Getting benefits and services is most certainly challenging. My claim consists of conditions that are clearly in service records in black & white and I’m still denied service connection and trying to increase current ratings due to conditions worsening. From the information shared seems like an IMO is the best option (especially for more complex medical conditions) but depending on condition...a DBQ may suffice i.e. GERD. I can see how verbiage is definitely key when getting VA benefits. After being denied three times by a counselor at VA VocRehab ... I finally was offered benefits only after I emailed him ( to document communication) using CFR VocRehab regulation verbiage regarding what I may be entitled to as a disabled veteran. It was like bargaining and negotiating at a car dealership...lol.

Your post is very helpful to my current claim. Sharing the DBQ and your rating result gives me hope. You went from 10% to 60%? The process and decision seemed to move quickly.

Thank you for the very helpful opinions & information. To answer your question Berta regarding whether my claim was denied; it was a year ago & I kind of gave up & didn’t appeal. I’m now in the position to pursue my claims & if denied seek legal assistance. I just filed an intent to file and decided DBQs and/or IME/IMO would provide more sufficient evidence & hopefully I won’t have to appeal. I have sent inquiries and recieved responses from independent medical examiners in my state and elsewhere...I’m definitely researching and educating myself on their credentials before I proceed. Their quoted fees are a bit pricey; however I know it will be well worth it and provide a better chance at favorable ratings. If I have to appeal, I hear DBQs and IME/IMOs can make attorneys job easier when representing veterans disability claims.

I've recently come to the conclusion that I will have to seek second opinions from medical professionals with either DBQs or IMEs/IMOs. After submitting a FOIA request to see what C&P physician put in my file; I noticed most of what I told her was not in record and some things she claimed she did during my physical exam...she never actually did. I have been contacted by many IME doctors that are willing to give a second opinion. I would appreciate if anyone could give their experience as to which is better regarding a DBQ or IME/IMO.