Vync

Just doesn't sound right. The doc could still be 'debating' his results. If the doc hits send accidentally, the Veteran is screwed. I view this like a check, not valid until signed.

Someone please tell me if I am correctly reading the decision. It looks like the court upheld the denial because the unsigned report was submitted via the CAPRI system, which indicates an 'implied' signature. The dissenting judge disagrees because the the rules require a signature. i.e. meaning that if the doc fails to sign the document, it's still official. Is that correct?

A few folks here said they received their medical records on CD. I checked with my VAMC, but they have not implemented that feature yet. The way I see it, is if I could sign a release, maybe a VAMC that supports that feature could fulfull my request and send my data on CD. It would be a good start.

But for some reason I doubt my VSO will spend an afternoon with me helping with research....

VA Electronic Information/Research Systems I have been doing some reading about various information systems used by the VA, which include the following: - Automated Medical Information Exchange (AMIE) - Compensation and Pension Record Interchange (CAPRI) - Veterans Examination Information Request System (VERIS) I found this article about CAPRI, but it indicates it is only for VSO's and people within the VA network. Check out this internal brochure for CAPRI. http://www.ehealth.va.gov/EHEALTH/docs/CAPRIforVSOsWeb.pdf If they would allow us research-only access to this or these systems, it could save us countless hours that we spend digging through this or that to help us found our claim. I can think of a lot of reasons why the VA will not grant us access to the system, but I can think of more reasons why they should.

There's also a lot of internal accounting details and notes that we should have access to. If they tag something incorrectly, it shows how wrong they are. I guess it could be another method of covering their tracks.

Hey Phil, My VAMC travel department tried to tell me the same thing, so I had to prove it to them. Check this out: http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/libra...aq.asp#eligible <h3 class="va-paragraph-header">Who is eligible for travel?</h3>Veterans rated 30% or more SC for travel relating to any condition Veterans rated less than 30% for travel relating to their SC condition Veterans receiving VA pension benefits for all conditions Veterans with annual income below the maximum applicable annual rate of pension for all conditions Veterans who can present clear evidence that they are unable to defray the cost of travel Veterans traveling in relation to a Compensation and Pension (C&P) Examination Certain veterans in certain emergency situations Certain non-veterans when related to care of a veteran (attendants & donors) Beneficiaries of other Federal Agencies (when authorized by that agency) Allied Beneficiaries (when authorized by appropriate foreign government agency)

Here you go: http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/admin21/m21_1/...8/ch08_secc.doc

Did you request a copy of your c-file while you had a claim pending? How long did it take to fulfill your request? I'm curious because I requested mine about five months ago and still have not received it, but I do have pending claims. Thanks for the tip about the copies being incomplete. I just hope all of mine is there and nobody else's papers are jammed into my file.

Last month, I got the same care letter twice, two days in a row.

I never once saw codes on any of the paperwork I received from the VA.

Make sure your address is correct in their system. Last week, they screwed up my address and I had to go to eligibility to get it fixed. Bring some proof of you living there, like a power bill, because a drivers license ID might not convince them

Scott, I have had no luck getting a VA doc to write a nexus for me, but others here have said thier doc had no problem doing it. Some non-VA doc's are either too busy or too afraid to write you one. Sometimes you have to find a doc and pay for it, which might be expensive.

Yep, MST treatment is free. The only thing they need to do now is waive the travel deductible, to make it truly free.

If you call the tele-nurse program, they are supposed to log the call details in your treatment records. I went through the same bs two years ago here in Bham. They refused to refill my medication, so I talked to the tele-nurse's boss. I quoted this and they quickly refilled my meds and scheduled me an annual primary care appt for a couple of weeks later: http://www.patientadvocate.va.gov/rights.asp III. Participation in Treatment Decisions You have the right to have your pain assessed and to receive treatment to manage your pain. You and your treatment team will develop a pain management plan together. You are expected to help the treatment team by telling them if you have pain and if the treatment is working. As an inpatient or nursing home resident, you will be provided any transportation necessary for your treatment plan. You have the right to choose whether you will participate in any research project. Any research will be clearly identified. Potential risks of the research will be identified and there will be no pressure on you to participate. You will be included in resolving any ethical issues about your care. You may consult with the Medical Center's Ethics Consultation Service and/or other staff knowledgeable about healthcare ethics. If you or the Medical Center believes that you have been neglected, abused or exploited, you will receive help. You are encouraged and expected to seek help from your treatment team or a patient advocate if you have problems or complaints. You will be given understandable information about the complaint process. You may complain verbally or in writing, without fear of retaliation.

You must be in good health, except for your service-connected disability(ies).

Babyray, I had one of those shots in my shoulder and I passed out cold. I awakened the next morning to find my shoulder froze up and in a lot of pain. Your best bet is to find a doc who will sedate you first. The more relaxed you are, the better.

Tried diovan and lisinopril here.

Blanco, The VA gave me some morphine injections last year, but no Dilaudid. They offered me tylenol 3's/4's, percocet, and something else. I asked for fentanyl patches for times when my stomach is so upset that I cannot take pills, but so far no luck. They indicate that they have those, but say you have to be terminal to get them. It smells funny to me.

dsgsr, I appreciate the info! I'll look into it. Can't have too much life insurance. blanco63, It sounds like the VA is feeding you a load of bs. Did you call the phone number in the document or did you go through your VSO?

That's really good info! Thanks for digging it up

John, That movie scared the crap out of me.

Vet centers are also an option for MST counseling. The atmosphere is a bit more inviting.

Generic info on adenovirus: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adenoviridae

My VAMC has "research center" posted under the name of the building. Not necessarily related to what you guys went through, but it does make me wonder...