bulldogpete

Found out yesterday my claim was deferred because they needed clarification. They wanted to know simple questions like which foot hurts etc. When I called I was able to give all the information over the phone and they said that should take care of it. I have a couple of questions about this. 1. Why did they defer all claims if they only had questions about two individual claims. 2. I don't understand why they have questions at all. I clearly wrote what my problems were and what they wanted to know was already brought up in my C &Ps.

Also forgot to add, I am currently diagnosed with Migraines and Occipital Neuralgia, by two other doctors, both specialist in that field.

I don't know who I would contact, her clinic was not at the VA, they sent me to private practice clinic.

She only asked the following questions. How long have you had headaches? How bad to they hurt? Where do they hurt and for how long? What medication I am on? I answered her questions and told her I was taking Firocet for my Migraines and Occipital Neuralgia and pain medication for my other problems. I explained to her that was what I was currently diagnosed with. She told me she felt my headaches were caused by the medication and then got up and started to walk out the door. As she was walking, I told her that I have had the headaches for years and years and I have only been on the pain medication for less than a year. I also told her I only take it a couple of days a month. She had not response and walked out. I was extremely polite and was not in anyway disrespectful. Again, I don't see how she can make a diagnosis in that short of time. I explained to her how, I get sick to my stomach when I have the headache, my vision gets blurry/sensitive to light, and I get sensitive to sounds, after hearing what I said, the only part she took into effect was that I was taking Firocet. I just wish they could send me to a different doctor. I am going to take the advise and get her report, before I act though.

I forgot to add, that I have already submitted all medical evidence from my private doctors.

I had a C & P last week for headaches. The doctor only spoke to me for 4 mins. She kept asking me which doctor sent me to him. I kept telling her the VA., it appeared she had reading nothing in my file. She said the VA sends the file to her after. I clearly saw the VA file on her receptionist desk, it had my name and social on it and it was about 4 inches thick. I got the impression she really did not want to talk to me, or care enough to read anything in my file. She hardly asked me any questions and then when I told her what other specialist in her field diagnosed me with, she told me she felt they were wrong. I have spoke to a team of doctors and they have spent hours with me and have ran numerous tests, she spent about 4 mins with me and knew nothing of my medical history. Now, I don't know what she is going to write, but do you think I should send a letter to the VA voicing my concerns, or possibly requesting a new doctor, or should I wait and see what she is going to state. Thanks in advance.

Reference you question about a "good historian", I found this on an insurance site. "If you are willing to document, including use of the confidential insurance injury claim diary, you will become a good historian for your doctor. And being a good historian means that you will be able to make your doctor's records positive, effective for insurance claim. Thus, with thorough and accurate medical records and your documentation and your confidential personal injury claim diary, you will have made the foundation for a sound presentation of your pain and suffering and the extent to which your bodily injuries interfere with your work, hobbies, and your general enjoyment of life. That is how you start on the road to achieving a maximum dollar settlement of your own personal injury insurance claim." Sounds to me that it just means you document your medical history well.

Thank you for fast reply. I won't!

Got a letter from the VA a couple of days ago, wanting me to take several C & P examinations. I have already submitted all medical documentation from my private doctors, is this good or bad news that they want me to take these exams. Since they scheduled these, does that mean they feel my conditions are related to my military injury and they are trying to decide the extent of the disability? Thanks in advance for your help.

Thank you for the very informative and well explained answer. I appreciate all who have responded and helped.

When I do decide to get another IMO, what is the best way to go about it. Do I just call them and ask if they will review my records and write an IMO?

Wanted to add, several of my current doctor's wrote in my medical records "The patient was involved in a military accident, X years ago. As a result of the accident, he had a documented injuries to his neck and back. He has been having progressive pain ever since the accident." Then they list the type of treatment I have been recieving for these injuries. I gave them all copies of my military records. Will this help any? Also, I attached several medical studies about what causes one on my medical conditions and how it relates to my military accident. Will medical studies help out any?

They are not as precise as you have laid out., but I am hoping are good enough. Both are laid out similar. They basically say, "He was involved in a military accident on "such and such date". I have reviewed the medical documents taken on "such" date and all other records taken since. " The list all my current diagnosis and problems. The chiropractor letter gives all the tests he has given me and then he wrote, "It is my opinion that the patients current problems are caused by injuries he received in the military on "such and such" date. Then he references injuries that are show on my Xray and CT scan taken on date of military accident. The second doctor lists the same thing, but he says "The patients current medical conditions are likely associated with the injuries he received during his military accident. He also reference's impressions on my xray and CT scan." I am more worried about the second doctor's statement. As it only says "likely associated with". I am hoping that may be good enough. I am pretty sure, I could get him to write another one, if needed. He was unsure of the correct language. I just don't know if I should wait and see what the VA says about it though. That way if they shoot down, I can have a better idea on what is needed. Thanks in advance.

Called today and they already have it and someone is working on it. Probably won't call again until a month or more from now, unless I get something in the mail requiring me to.

I have not tried going to the VA to get medical treatment. I did not know I could if I was not receiving VA disability. How would I do this? Would they charge my insurance? Also, I was sent a letter by my private insurance stated they wanted info on my military accident, so they could try and bill the VA. Is this something I should give them now, or should I wait until the VA makes there decision. I am afraid if my insurance gets involved in might slow things down with the VA.

Yes the two letters do list what is needed. Also, I was reviewing some of my medical records and found in the narrative portion, other doctors referred to my accident that occurred in the military and refer to the cervical fracture and other spinal injuries I sustained. They also stated I have been having problems since the accident. I hope this will be almost as good as a letter. We will see, I am going to research some doctor's next week and continue debating on spending more money on nexus letters (money is tight)

I recently submitted my claim for the first time and I already have two letters from my doctors linking my current injuries to my accident in the military. I tend to worry about things, and I am already forming a game plan just in case they deny my claim the first time. I am looking to get more letters completed by doctors. My current letters are written by doctors that currently treat me, I was wondering how you go about finding other doctors to review your medical file and write a letter. Would I just research doctors in my areas that specialize in my medical conditions and then call up their office and ask if they can review my file/write a leter, or do only certain doctors give IMO's. Any help is appreciated. I am wanting to stay on the defensive and I all the waiting around makes me feel like I am not doing anything to help my claim.

My insurance is covering a lot of my current medical bills, but I am still responsible for quite a bit. Once the VA grants my disability claim (being optimistic), can I file to have the VA reimburse me the cost of my medical bills (The ones related to my service related injury).

Well I finally sent the claim up. I have been putting it off forever, because I just wanted to keep getting more and more evidence. I finally just decided to send it up and see what happens. If they need anything else they will tell me, i guess. I just hope this won't be dragged out and take forever. I will keep you updated.

I am just worried about the long time period that had passed. The reason for the long wait, was one I was young when it happened and you never want to admit your hurt then. Also, I did not know the NG could even file a claim with the VA and finally it has been a progressive pain that has been getting worse as time goes by.

I am about to submit my claim for VA disability. I have a D A 2 17 3 Form, it states my injury was in the line of duty and is likely to result in a future medical claims. Also at the time of this accident X-rays and Cat Scans were performed, They pretty much back up that my neck and back were messed up at the time of the accident. It has been a long time (10 years) since the accident. I do have med forms showing I have been going to the chiropractor and seeing other doctors to be treated for pain associcated with those areas. Also have several current medical diagnosis and one letter from my chiropractor stating my injuries are caused by the accident that had occurred and another letter from my neuropsychologist stating the same. My question is do you thinking that will be good enough to show a current service related injury or should I try to get some more letters?

Hello, I have decided to open a VA disability claim for some old injuries I recieved while I was in the NG. I have several questions and was wanting to get some opinions about doing this. The injuries occured while I was in training for the NG about eleven years. I was involved in a APC accident. I was pulling air guard, and the driver drove into a ditch causing me to bounce up in the air and injure my back and neck. I fell back into the APC and lost feeling to my legs for a short duration. Medics transported me to a civilian hospital, where xrays and a CT were performed. The CT and Xrays found several diffsuse bulges in my neck and back. Also, noted the faucets overlapped, Schmorl's nodes deforimites and a possible cervical fracuture (they were unsure if it was injured from the accident or a possible accident). The doctor noted Thoraic sprain and contusions. My commander had everyone that witness the accident give a written statement of what they saw. I have a total of 4 statements, each stating I flew up in the air and hit my back and neck. Also stating I was complaining of losing feeling to my legs. I also have documentation from the reviewing officer, who stated the accident was service connected and was not any fault of my own. Also checked the box that says "injures will more than likely result in a future claim being filed." I was out of service for about 2-4 weeks and then started drilling again. I never tried to get VA disability, because for one I was only 18-19 at the time and did not want to admit I was injured. The other reason, was unitl about 2 years ago, I did not even know NG could get VA disability. I have had progressive pain in my back and neck since the incident. I have a history of going to the chiropractor for the last 7-8 years for back and neck pain. I recently been diagnosed with several nerve problems in my neck and back. Bulging Discs and Disk deterioration. I have also been diagnosed with Migraines (3-4 a month.) The pain has finally progressed to the point to where I am going to file a claim. My question is, do you think I will have a problem linking my current injuries to the injuries I recieved during the accident, since such a long time has passed.