Carl the Engineer

I had the same thing happen. I went to my VA doc for a appointment, he looked at his computer and asked how my C&P went yesterday. I didn't know I had had one, so I just about panic'd on the spot. He called for me and they stated that it was a "records C&P" and that the rater (?) requested a doc to look at something in my medical record, make a comment and send it back to them. It also said kept, so I would be ok. Which appearently I am so far. Hope this helps,, Hamslice...

Sapper, Hello fellow Sapper, I was a 12B (now 21B) for 27 years. First, get all and any medical records you have especially LOD's (Line of Duties). Take a look at them and see if any of your current ailments were caused by or could have been contributed by what happened to you in the military. This is the most important part because you need to get Service Connected for your medical issues. Once you get SC'd you can start getting help from the VA. And hopefully some compensation. Your private medical records will not help with SC, however they will help with the level of compensation, etc. Your big (priority) issue is SC. After that you can go to a private doctor or the VA for medical help. I have health insurance where I work and sometimes go to the local doctor, but most of the time I go to the VA for my medical issues ever since I went over 30%. The VA looks at both their records and the records from my local civilian doctor when they make my ratings. Finally, don't think you'll hit a home run on your first go around. I went 40, 60, 70 and now at the rater for a couple of new claims and a increase. I probably could have done better up front with what I know now, but it is a learning curve that one has to experience on his own. Although you will get a bunch of help on this site. Hamslice

As my dad used to say when I was growing up. "Give me your money, I will hold it for you". Hamslice...

I see some new entries in my eBenifits,,, back exam rec'd from iron mountain VAMC 05/02/2012

Had my C&P today. It was for two issues. Increase to left shoulder (arthritis) and new claim for lower back pain (arthritis). I believe my other claim issues have been completed and are awaiting these two claims. I believe I may have some traction regards the left shoulder and lower back as my eBenifits had went all the way to the rater and then was sent back for evidence, i.e. the C&P. I believe they may have SC'd both and then sent back so that they would rate my range of motion. The exam went well I believe. The NP did both my shoulders for comparisons and I don't think I will ge a increase as my left is pretty flexible as compared to my right and I already get 10% for it. I believe they will be adding arthritis to the left shoulder, however only 10 and no stacking, so 10 will be it. But you never know. The back now, that is a different story. It will be interesting to see what measurements she got as she did use a meter and she did make me repeat each move three times. So I think she did it correctly. I would say my flexing forward was limited and my bending backwards was very limited. Side to side was not much, but I don't know what she is seeing on the meter. The best part was the twisting. Were you keep your hips straight and rotate your upper body. I don't think I even moved (couldn't move) and she said again, again, ok, good. I can't believe her protractor (meter) even moved. But again, I don't know what she saw. Should be interesting. Oh, and they took about a dozen x-rays. Anyway, thanks for caring. She said the results should take about 2 months. We'll see, Hamslice

44, Yep, just read the story myself. Would be nice to know what percent my VA location has going for itself. Would suck to be in Baltimore. 1 out of 3 isn’t worth the paper they are written on. Oh, wait, were going paperless. Can't wait to keep "pinging" that address online for a response. "Sir, your zip file with all of you service information was lost in the fire, you will have to prove you are a veteran. Remember we do not accept paper copies anymore". Press 9 to here this message again or hang up and call again when our lines are not busy. Thank you for you service..... Hamslice

And the C&P will be on the 1st of May.... Hamslice

Today I see I have an "appointment request" on the exam appointment calander page on eBenifits page. So, maybe I will be having a C&P after all. We'll see, Hamslice

OK, back to "Review of Evidence" today. For those keeping track. Ha,ha,,,, Hamslice

Veldrina, Here are a couple of sites that go after these clowns pretty hard. I read the "Hall of Shame Inductees" from time to time. Pretty "entermentaining", as my daughter would say. Hamslice http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/index.php http://www.specialoperations.com/Phonies/

If it was me and I was watching The Outlaw Josey Wales, you'd better wait for a commercial. Ha, ha. Enjoy you win, and the letters always came before the confirmation in my cases. Well done, Hamslice

Put my last name in the name box and hit search. Got a bunch because my last name is somewhat common, but you can sort by state etc... Hamslice

Hey, my brother is on there. Cheap bastard makes more than me. Hamslice

Sorta punted on your original question, so here is my opinion.... For your military record, you would have to ok it by signing a SF 180 - Request Pertaining to Military Records. So I don't think they can or know how they would without you helping. For your VA record, I believe that would fall under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and again, you would have to approve the release. So, with that said, I do not think they can get you military record without you releasing it. However, they may be able to not hire you if you don't give them info they request, etc.... I did have to do a criminal record check ($10) and give that to them (the police academy) before I could start the academy and become a certified LEO.. As a LEO, I do criminal background checks on people; however it is illegal for me to do so unless I have a case number to go with it. So, I believe that is why I had to do my own for the academy. Again privacy issues.. In other words, I can't do a criminal background check just for kicks. Hope that helps, Hamslice

I got hired as a Police Officer after active duty in 2008. They were pro military and didn't ask for any records. The Chief knew about my receiving VA disability and it didn't matter to him. I did supply them with a copy of my Army Commendation Medal and a diploma from an Anti-Terrorism course I had taken during my service, because I thought they added to my resume. During the interview, they did ask me about my knowledge of firearms from the military and I did keep it relevant to being a Police Officer, i.e., pistol, shotgun and rifle. I think they (read, small town) were more impressed with my military service and being reliable. I think they were a little burned out on the drama of recent hires. The Chief did comment that they were looking for a little "adult supervision" when they hired me. I think the military gives you that edge, if you use it correctly. Good luck to you, Hamslice

Claim went a step forward today, back to "Preparing for Decision". Still no C&P...... Hamslice

Yep, I see the appointments calendar is gone. I liked it because eBenifits was a one stop spot, now I have to go to check MyHealthyVet again to check the calendar for future appointments. Oh, well maybe just a tune-up and it will be back. Hamslice

Ditto on the "View New Content" tab... Hamslice

Crap. Claim went backwards one step on eBenifits. Went from "Preparing for Decision" back to "Review of Evidence". Oh well, twidle thumbs....... I was wondering how they were going to rate me for may left shoulder and spine without a ROM C&P. Maybe they just realized that. Ha, ha... Hamslice

You should (maybe you have) claimed both shoulders. Go to the C&P and hopefully get them service connected. You will only get above 10% each if you have issues with range of motion (ROM). I had similar issues with both my shoulders, except I did not have the torn rotator issue. I was initially given 10% each bilateral. I then filed for an increase on my right shoulder and had a decrease in ROM and had the right shoulder risen to 20%. Again, for shoulders at least, it's all about ROM. And, tell the C&P examiner when it hurts (feel pain), especially if it hurts before it (arm) ends its travel... Hamslice

I think I figured out what happened....... Hamslice

OK, that makes sense. I was having nightmares about doing the duck walk at MEPPS in my underwear 30 years ago... Hamslice

MikeS, I just had one, or should say, they had one without me. I found out that I had missed a C&P when I had an appointment at my local VA for a blood draw. The receptionist told me, "I see here you missed your C&P yesterday". I said "what are you talking about". She again told me that I had missed my C&P. I immediately telephoned the office of the doctor and spoke to his receptionist/scheduler and he told me that in fact there was a C&P for me the day before, however, if was a records C&P and that I would not have attended and or would not have been notified. More importantly, the reason the clinic showed me as a no-show, was the doctor has to make two separate entries into the computer system to clear my no-show when it is a records only C&P and in my instance he only made one entry and I did show up as a no-show. Now I show as "kept appointment". Call or visit you local clinic or any VA medical facility that can pull up you file and have then check that date and see if you, "kept appointment" or are marked "no-show". That will tell the tale... Hamslice

Pete53 Ducks quacking? You got me on that one... Hamslice

Dot09, I don't know how I missed your reply, but, Yes, the VA did a MRI of both of my shoulders when I filled for an increase in my right shoulder. I did get an increase in my right shoulder, however it was because of ROM. I went from 10 to 20 percent. They did not do a ROM on my left shoulder as it has not changed from the original C&P. My only issue with the left shoulder was the comment in my rating letter stating that they saw arthritis in my left shoulder simular to my right and I could file for it. I already have 10 percent in my left for tendinopathy, so I do not see a increase there, but filed anyway to see what happens. Still at "Preparing for decision" today. Hamslice