jecsb4

But i must currently be unemployed to file IU, correct? Felt it was strange that my POA rep practically guaranteed me IU in 6 - 8 months if i quit my job due to my SC issues. Is that the norm? Just dont see how he could say this with such certainty, espically with my experience with the varro denials, low ratings & the previous NOD's i have had to deal with since 04 to get my current SC rating.

Thanks Sharon, The only thing that is holding me up on filing for IU is that I still am trying to keep my job but based on some of my negative behavior there i might get fired or laid off or at the least suffer with physical & mental issues. Heck i was in the va hosp for 3 days for chest pain that turned out to be severe anxiety which IMO is related to my SC depression.

Any opinions on this or help, thanks.

Hi all, Glad to see Hadit growing so much & l apologize for being such a dormit member, but it kinda matches what i am dealing with. So filed a NOD just in the nick of time yet i was told to just accept the slight increase in 1 rating which was to low, didnt support the med evidence nor increase my comp. Then was told appeals are 2 - 3 years behind! I then informed him i was admitted to the va hosp recently for a SC condition which i NOD & asked if i was working. I explained yes, but shared some serious work issues with him & was then informed i coul be IU in 6 - 8 months. So is this good advice? I believe i will lose my job or get fired or laif off) but why should i quit & lose possible unemployment? Currently combined rating of 80. Also read here that with the budget issues appeals are being denied. Maybe that is why he told me to let the claim run out & open a new one? Strange.

Great!!! Sorry I haven beeen posting or reading lately...due to the BS I have. I am happy 4U!!!!

Glad all is ok!!

Is there a correlation between a GAF and your rating for depression (NOS)? I would think there is, but I am not sure. I am currently rated SC 30 % for Dep and submitted an IMP. The C&P states my GAF is 60. The IMO Dr will not write about percentages but it is a good IMP. Would I be increased to 50 or 70%? I have read the GAF verbage and rating criteria but can’t seem to find out if there is a matrix matching the two up with a percentage. Alco the C&P said there was no correlation between my depression and anxiety! Should I do a separate claim for anxiety? The VA gives me sleeping and anxiety pills!

Thanks All, I want to keep this away from my VAMC providers assuming I can, so they Don't claim a conflict of interest (Say What?) unless I really need to. Thanks slphelan - Berta - Pete and All.

Hi All, I have at question: 1. I have an increase in my SC issues for some mental and physical issues. I see a VAMC shrink, and even additional counseling by a VA Phd. I have not told them I have put in for an increase, but espicially the PHD who I see w/ spouse for counseling, who I believe knows my situation is much worse... I have not asked them for any supporting statements, because I have read here that they don't want to get involved with C&P opinions due to the bs of conflict of intrest and I have had that happen to me for some help I requested from a VA MD a few years ago. So do these VAMC shrinks and PHD'd know through their PC's and notes that I have a pending claim for increase? I am courious, because my PHD stated she does do exams. My issues are to a point where they see me and spouse one on one aside from a group thing. Issues are much more involved than just my marriage. So, again, do they know I have a claim open, espicially when I haven't listed them in my supporting evidence? The VARO say's they have my VAMC records...? On another note..I sent the VARO some IMO's and they sent me back a another request for assistance saying they have asked for some records from other PVT MD's to include stuff I already turned in!! How do I tell them the info they requested from these other doctors is not revelant, even though I signed a relase of records months ago?????????? Thanks. sb4

Purple: Why do they send that form? I am not sure, but if your not working why do they send it? Is it an annual requirement to try and reduce benefits? Can't they just look at IRS records on us Vets to verify our income or lack of income? jecsb4

121212, Question, I have flat feet SC w/ plantar fasciitus, toe problems, bunions, and ankle problems. I have casted orthodics, and even have ankle braces they gave me. I have a difficult time with these braces fitting in any shoe, sneaker, or work type boots. I have to buy a size or two bigger and take out the manufactures cheep insert to get the extra room. Then of course It makes walking difficult. Does the VA podiatrist have to request them? I don't think my doc knows about this... Thanks. What are the type of boots the VA provided and can you put a brace in them?

Philip, Thank you for your response. I may be in a "catch 22" if I tell the Dr, they should tell the VARO that I remove my release approval as if I had something to hide. This Dr as it turns out does not have my records due to several changes in his location and whom he works for and the records I have are from pre SC which the VARo already has. He did give me HBP med which I don't know could be a 2ndars to DEP / Migraines, Panic / anxiety, etc. I have to admit, this is one topic I have never read about….at hadit. Thanks.

I signed several of these VA forms from the VARO that you list any private medical records from various providers for a pending claim. I would like to cancel one of them, can I do this? If so, how? What would I give the VARO? Thanks sb4

Carlie, That might be the case, but last time I check with the VARO / POA, the C&P's were not turned in yet. Last time I did the FOIA I never got this VARO form.

I am sorry you had to go through this, with a pace maker etc, but you are alive and will live to fight this unjustice. Don't get worked up on the bills and paper work...just write and write and call...the pen is mighiter than the sword as long as they don't shread your info!

Hi All, I am not sure if this post should be here or in the C&P section…moderators please move if I messed up… This to me is very strange!! I had two outside contracted exams by QTC med services for increase for headaches and depression – not other wise specified. Both are currently SC. Well I know from this board that to get a copy of the C&P I must file a freedom of info request with my VARO, unlike if it was a C&P at the VAMC – where I could just go to the records release dept. and get copies. Here is the “pickle”, I had the exams and I submitted a request for a release via the FOIA. Everyone tells me it will slow down my claim….well knowledge is power and I can’t counter attack against a poor C&P unless I read what they say. Well I get a letter from the VARO that basically says: There letter acknowledges receipt of my FOIA request and THEY DECIDED to grant me access to the info if the records are found! But info may be exempted from disclosure by law! Sections provided to me may be deleted or marked out that are exempted! WTF is this? Last time I had a QTC (contractor) exam I got the entire thing with no restrictions! It almost sounds like one of those TV shows like 20 – 20 where they request CIA or FBI info and they get records that are 80% blocked out! Is this a new tactic? Has anyone else got this type of response? Why would they possibly hide my medical info from me? I do know that one of the exams lasted less than 10 minutes for headaches that I know the general family practice Dr. was screwed up in proper protocol. Even before the outcome, I am working on getting IMO at my expense. This was not like the last time I got my FOIA C&P a few years ago! What gives? If they don’t give you your entire info how can you defend or attack for your case?????? Help….thanks. PS…I never worked for the CIA, MI or FBI so WTF? At least I don't remember (kidding). jc4

I am glad your a fighter for justice Berta. You give me strength. I would like to see the bastard that wrote that comment and his sup, and mgr all the way up the food chain be held accountable. But they are most likely retired and living in a non-disclosed location. jecsb4

My topic is What you should do when your C&P is only 7 minutes long. I really can’t make this stuff up – but even after reading all of the horror stories on Hadit, I am still shocked! Background: Requested increase for SC migraines and Dep. Both C&P’s were farmed out to QTC Med Service. The depression one by a Phd seemed to go ok. He even had copies of my file in a pile of sheets that looked liked they were never reviewed. She didn’t know what Operation Enduring Freedom meant, nor the difference between reserve and regular active duty and mobilization or what PV1 is compared to an E3 or O1. I guess that doesn’t matter. I am sensitive to these contracted exams because I have had a prior bad experience, but I was able to fight and overcome their so call diagnosis. THE REAL ISSUE: I had a C&P for the SC migraines with a QTS Dr. First this guy was not a neurologist, didn’t seem to have any of my records, and it lasted 7 minutes or so. When I asked to show my migraine dairy he said the VA didn’t ask for it!!! I had a hard time understanding this guy and he never once touched me in any type of exam fashion. So I really don’t know how this could go! In the mean time I have worked on paying for an IMO for migraines. I am SC 30% for both based on OEF 3 and 5. I have also requested a Freedom of Info request, and will write a VCAA response to the VARO inquiries. My initial C&P were from back in 05, awarded in 07 but a lot has changed for the worse since 051 I guess I am waiting to see the results, in the mean time; I am trying to get IMO, etc. What would you all do? Especially since the VA can decide your case in 30 days ? However, I have heard that the QTS has 60 days before they are required to submit their results. Thanks for your help in this “thing of ours”. jc

Thanks for your comments: The problem I am facing is that my SO put me in for increase for these two SC conditions based on a meeting I had regarding other issues. I got a voice mail saying he put me in for increase and I didn't get the call till after they closed on a Friday. I knew I was not mentally ready to get all of my data collected to submit additional info on time. I called the SO on Mon and was told not to worry about it! I have had two C&P exams by QTC - they were set up VERY QUICKLY!! The PHD (dr) who examined me for depression, I felt went ok, it was about a hour long. Heck he even gave me his business card to come back and see him!!! The C&P for migraines was done in 7 minutes by a foreign Dr who i could not understand! jecsb4

Ok,thanks.As it turns out the C&p for migraines was only 5 minuites and a total of 5 questions and he was a family dr noy a neuro. Dr was a newly arrived foreiner based on his age and accent for qtc. Yes that is my assumption. I can not tell how the exam went but it was obvious he could have asked more questions.

I just had a C&P for migraine and will have another C&P next week for depression (NOS). Both C&P are with QTC. Should I file a freedom of Info request immediately after the 2nd exam or wait a week or two? Last time I got a copy of my QTC C&P it took a month and the VARo clerk said it would slow down my claim. I really didn't care about this, because when i read the exam I had to submit a IMO to refute the BS. If I hadn't read it, I probally would be denied So should I wait a week or two to wait for the paperwork to catch up or request the results immediately? Both C&P are for increase in SC conditions. My orginal SC for depression not otherwise specified seems to be strange, since the C&P guy and my VA Dr say I have major dep. Does that matter? it is different codes. Thanks

Hi, I seem to have some possible the same SC issues with feet / ankles. I don't understand why your local SSO would say you need to file by Dec or lose benifits? Are they saying you lose for that year?

I also didn't know the VARO rated pes planus for 70%. I thought the max was 50% with a possible bilateral factor? I have chronic feet and ankle issues and I am glad you got 70% but I have never see that rating in the CFR. Can you be a little specific about the codes and your ratings.