[C&p Exam Results Vs. Raters Decision]

Thanks Berta

I applied for the PC Feb '08, had surgery Mar '08 and sent all evidence in. Evidence I was in VN, buddy letter etc., surgical report and all medical records. They responded they had my claim. Then in the summer they sent me a denial saying they didn't have any medical evidence, so my VSO sent them their signed receipt where they had acknowledged back in Mar '08 receiving the items they now say they never got. We resent the records to them also. I'm in the NY Region and I think my stuff was part of "Shreddergate".

So to answer your question, yes, my claim was denied. Then revisited. They gave me the 6 month retro last week and 40% thereafter because the C&P said I told the Doc I used 3 pads. He never even asked me. I use at least 4 and I couldn't believe he didn't broach the subject so I never said anything. Sometimes I use 1 just straightening up in the Lazyboy.

I thought I was getting 100% temporary because my PSA never went to zero and was trending up after 9 months and my Doc is planning for radiation. So I figured that's why they didn't ask about pad usage or frequency.

They're probably doing the best they can with what they've got, but it is a very sloppy bureaucracy. Any opinion on the PTSD thing ? And thanks again for all you do.

[C&p Exam Results Vs. Raters Decision]

Also, if that is verbatim what the C&P doc wrote, that doc needs some basic grammar lessons...besides the fact that the statement was generic, it was badly worded generic.

It was verbatim, warts and all. You should see the rest of it. I couldn't believe a professional of any kind would be party to such a piece of junk. He must have just had someone with low skills compose the whole report from the notes of the VA mental health professionals who had been treating me because he didn't spend 10 minutes with me.

[C&p Exam Results Vs. Raters Decision]

Tiki

That sounds like a good claim for IU. However, the rater can overrule a C&P exam. The VA often just goes with the C&P, but if they want to be nasty they can impeach their own doctor. Is your PTSD stressor verified? I assume it is if you got a C&P exam, but that verification is what usually screws up PTSD claims. I bet you get IU, but you won't know until you get the rating letter. Don't start spending the money yet. The VA can do anything and that is why we have appeals. Don't blow your stack if they find some excuse to slow you down. Your train is on the tracks, but the VA can put on the brakes.

Thanks John

Re the stressor, I had no problem. We were shelled frequently from NVA artillery. Lots of bad stuff and they never questioned it; plus a Purple Heart (him not me) buddy letter. Also still have prostate cancer residuals after recent removal. They just notified me that I got 40% pending radiation treatment.

[C&p Exam Results Vs. Raters Decision]

Hi all and thanks so much fro being here for us. Spent my time in the USAF 67-68 at the Dong Ha Marine Combat Base 6 miles from the DMZ.

Just received a copy of my C&P for PTSD from Mar '09. It states - Axis 1: PTSD - Axis 5: GAF 55. On pg. 15 it asks: IS THERE TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT DUE TO MENTAL DISORDER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ? ANS: yes.

Then the narrative below says:

"Veteran becomes hypervigilant and experiences flashbacks in the presence of people and is afraid of going out from fear of getting these symptoms he does not go out to socialise with people, stays home, gave up leisure activities, isolates himself and stays home mostly. He cannot experience loving feelings, cannot feel close to people, has been living alone for many years and isolates himself from others. His occupational and psychosocial status are impaired by his PTSD symptoms."

Also, any info in that opinion came from the VA Social Worker Counselor and the VA Psychiatrist that I have been seeing. I know this because the C&P exam lasted 10 minutes and the DR. really didn't want to hear anything saying " I have all the info I need here already." He was pointing to my C-File.

After talking with others, they tell me language was similar (Total Impairment) in the C&P Report they received and yet they got ratings as low as 30%.

My question is: Is it common to use that language (total impairment) and still come out with a lower rating than a vet deserves? And how can a Rater's opinion trump a Psychiatrist's opinion who has been seeing you for months, and if it does isn't it obvious that a higher authority will overrule the rater on appeal?

[Detectable Psa After Prostate Removal]

I just went to my non VA Doc yesterday for my 3 month check up. Instead of rising , my psa went from .062 three months ago to .060 presently. He said the reading is virtually the same but it's good that it didn't rise. He said we will hold off on the radiation and may not even need it if I keep going down. So...... does anyone know where to go to look up the regulation to see how long I'll be covered 100% temporary if it turns out I won't need radiation. I thought I read somewhere if the PSA was over .02 you were still considered to have the disease but I can't find the thread.

[Detectable Psa After Prostate Removal]

Note: A rating of 100 percent shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, X-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedure. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of §3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.

You are 100% from the onset of treatment until 6 months after you complete treatment then you will be reevaluated in my case surgery and 1 year of chemo was 23 months.

Thanks KW34, I sure appreciate the info.

[Detectable Psa After Prostate Removal]

I hope I'm not bringing up a question already answered. I served in VN in '67 - '68. I was given SC for prostate cancer after filing in Feb '08. I had an aggressive type and had a prostatectomy in Mar of '08. My Dr. said I would need radiation most likely after surgery but they would wait as long as possible because any progress being made vis-a-vis bladder issues would be halted by radiation and never get any better.

Radiation is coming up soon as my PSA has risen continually as follows: 6/08 - .037, 9/08 - .040, 12/08 - .50, 3/09 - .062.

I had my C&P in Dec '08 during which my urologist's records, which I presented, showed that I would need radiation and also showed the ascending PSA levels. I haven't heard anything yet as I have other issues pending that are roiling the waters. My question (which my state Vet Rep could not answer) is, because the disease has never completely been put to rest, will I be 100% temporary during all this time until I'm cured or do I just get the standard 6 months at 100%?

This site has been a Godsend and I thank you all. Rest assured that I will contribute any knowledge that I might come by if I can be of assistance in the future.

[Prostatectomy But Still Need Radiation]

This is what my uroligist told me:

If you get SC, then you would receive 100% for 6 months, and then dropped to 30%. If you have to go through radiation or chemo, it goes back to 100% until they get a handle on it. But it will always remain at least 30% because of the possibility of cancer returning. Plus you can receive an extra 90$-100$, for losing a creative organ. I'm still trying to get mine SC. So I keep my claim open, just in case.

Thanks Seadog. In correspondence they acknowlege SC as I was in country for a year.

Is your urologist a VA doctor? I have leakage and frequency issues too which I believe are determining factors re compensation. My main question was is the 100% rating in effect from date of filing to present since the cancer has never left me completely and I go soon for radiation. You said it goes back to 100% which means they would have reduced it after 6 months.

Good luck on your claim. I read somewhere that if you were within a certain number of miles off the coast on a vessel they would grant SC.

[Prostatectomy But Still Need Radiation]

Thanks to HADIT for being here for us.

I served in Viet Nam in 1968 and developed aggressive prostate cancer in '08. I filed February of '08 and the prostate was removed in early March '08.

After reading HADIT, I also filed for PTSD in August of '08, so as I have learned, that slowed down my claim. Also my original state Vet Rep retired and I had to get a new one, which has also has delayed my claim. I wish I had known about HADIT before I filed; I could have saved myself a lot of grief.

I had my C&P for prostate March 25 '09, no result yet (I know the delays are my fault for not knowing the system - just had the C&P for PTSD so I know the VARO in NY doesn't even have my file back yet). The cancer cells are not completely gone. My doctor says I will need radiation. PSA has gone from .037 on 6/08 to .062 recently. I asked my state Vet Rep, who filed for me, if I was elegible for the retroactive 100% temporary rating from Feb '08 when I filed, until such time as my PSA goes down and he said that he didn't know. I'm hoping someone here will be able to give me and anyone else with this question an answer.

Bless you all for the help you give.

[Quickie C&p Exam]

I had a C&P recently for PTSD. The Doctor spent only a minimal amount of time with me, maybe 15 minutes. He asked a couple softball questions and it seemed like he was about to dismiss me. He touched on a "stressor" and I told him I had pictures and a buddy letter etc and was eager to explain the stressor aspect but he didn't want to hear about it as he said it was all in my file. I have been seeing the VA Counsellor at the clinic as well as the VA psychiatrist and am on meds for sleep, panic, depression and have been screwed up since the 70's. I was stationed near the DMZ in '68 at a Marine Combat base with almost daily artillery strikes. I was unaware I could file for PTSD till I learned about it after developing prostate cancer last year.

My question is that since the Doctor at the C&P learned nothing about me and my case, will he just rubber stamp what the local VA Counsellor and psych doctor have reported about my condition?