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I had my prostate removed in 2019 but I guess not soon enough. I have been getting PSA tests every six months since. Each test shows the antigens slowing increasing. A community doctor has been treating me since 2019. In 2021 I started urinating frank blood. It was determined I had a bladder tumor that had broken off of the bladder wall. Same doctor now treating me for both prostate and bladder cancer. I have had a cystoscopy done every 3-4 months since. I am now scheduled for my 7th bladder surgery in the last 3 years. The same day I was told about the most recent bladder tumor. I returned home to be told I will be scheduled for another C&P. This I think is my 5th C&P, the last was last year in June. It seems for every C&P, I was either just recovering or awaiting another bladder surgery. I understand that VA-B does not like to award 100% P&T for prostate/bladder cancer. But with my history of the bladder tumors returning numerous times. This is even after a 6 weeks of BCG treatments. My question is there a chance the 5th time may determine the P&T status? Or do I just continue with cystoscopy every 3 months and a couple of surgeries a year and yearly C&P's? Thanks for any advise. Paul

Why is LHI Doing My VA C and P Exam? The vast majority of veterans who file a claim for veterans disability benefits will need to attend a VA Compensation and Pension Exam. The C&P examination can be done at the VA or sometimes by a contractor like LHI. The VA examiner will perform your exam based on VA’s criteria currently they follow the DBQ’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires. You file a claim for disability benefits and you get the letter for your Compensation and Pension Exam and it says it’s being done by LHI. It is nothing to worry about. LHI is a contractor VA uses for exams. They have been working with the VA for over eight years as of 2022. The Compensation and Pension Exam you receive from LHI is the same as the one you would receive at the VA. They use the DBQ’s Disability Benefits Questionnaires. Compensation and Exams are anxiety-producing for many veterans, seeing a strange set of letters like LHI can make the anxiety worse. No need for excessive anxiety. Here is a post from our Community discussing this topic, I hope you find it helpful. LHI? Has anyone had any experiences previously? “I was contacted and sent to LHI for a rating increase on PTSD. I was on edge just because going to an unknown contractor bothered me a bit. But as I read on here they listed the doctors' names and credentials which I used to investigate the doctor and liked what I found. I showed up to the appointment and expected the appointment to last at least half as long as the paperwork called for which was about an hour and a half. The appointment was at 0800 hours, and I was back out the door and in my car by 0825. Now to the nitty gritty. It was not bad at all. The doctor had reviewed all of my stressors before my coming in and we did not speak of them at all not even in passing. What I would have given to know that he had no interest the previous three days would’ve kept me from crawling the walls and being even more anxious than normal. Primarily, it was spent doing a down-and-dirty DBQ where he asked about changes and I presented my notebook and letters from family and the one friend I have left. Before I knew it we were at the end and had in my opinion not really delved in deep as I had expected or experienced in my initial PTSD assessment. I knew it would be somewhat shorter but it was short enough that I was thrown off and even told him “It is in my best interest to go into as much detail as I can with my notes” and I was quickly told that it was unnecessary. This alarmed me and the whole time I wondered if this wasn’t some Hatchet job and now was convinced that we had a problem. But he reassured me that if I needed to go ahead and talk about the symptoms more then by all means go for it. I know that I must’ve had the strangest look on my face maybe even the slightest bit of a homicidal maniac….All I kept thinking was something was wrong….wrong wrong and more wrong. BOHICA BOHICA oh no here it comes. It's been barely 20 mins how could this be so quick? We are going up 100% from 70%. It is quite a bump and change in status….. He told me that for what it was worth he was approving or submitting the paper for the increase. He also said he was not sure why I did not have it from the first C&P, but we all know why don’t we? Now I figure he could have lied and might have but I don’t see the upside really…not that it's not possible….either way… Now that means nothing and I won't believe that or anything else until I see it when I check my blue button records or a brown envelope shows up in my mailbox. But what if….Could I finally be done fighting them and maybe get my 100%? I mean, one little NOD and three years later another C&P could I be so lucky not to have to play whack a mole all the way up to DC? Maybe just maybe…. When I was leaving I ran into the guy who was waiting alongside me for an 8:00 appointment and he said ” This is a new one on me” I agreed, and he was thereafter submitted a NEW PTSD claim down the FDC (fully developed claim) route 3 weeks ago…..Three weeks ago he submitted his stuff and was there the same day as me doing a C&P maybe things are picking up speed finally…maybe” Read Full Thread. And then success … “Strangely it must have gone well as I was checking vets and ebennies and found my appeal had been granted for an increase ptsd rating and award of TDIU as well…” Read the full thread: LHI? Has anyone had any experiences previously? View full record

I filed for a BDD claim as I'm coming off active duty im a few months. I worked with a VSO and she did the majority of the work, i just got her about 1000 pages of medical records. I have filed for sleep apnea with CPAP, PTSD, Anxiety, & depression (I go to a local Vets center), 11 surgeries, IBS, Migraines and some other more common ailments (tinitus, high BP, stuff like that). Within a couple weeks i got an email requesting a virtual TeleC&P examination for my Compensation and Pension claim. Is this normal? Shouldnt i go through the actual military clinic for my physical claim, especially with 11 surgeries, degenerative disc disease, and other physical ailments? Its just seems weird to do a telemedicine appointment with a 3rd party provider (VSE). Am I overthinking this?

An Examiners' perspective relating to psychiatric compensation and pension exams. It is still a good guideline for all exams. A Guideline for your VA compensation and pension exam A VA Compensation and Pension Examiners’ perspective relating to psychiatric exams. It is a good guideline for all exams, but they only did psych exams. The VA has examined me for multiple problems, and this is my format when I go to be examined. A little common sense and clarity of thinking will go a long way toward getting you what you are entitled to. Written by: Steve A. Neff MSW Do not talk about alcohol or drug-related issues. You are not there to be assessed for those problems. You are there to be evaluated for your psychiatric functioning as today relates to your service history. If the examiner asks about alcohol or drugs, politely remind them that you are not there for those issues if you’ve ever had them, but for how impaired you are in your daily functioning. It’s best to avoid even talking about them. Got a VA horror story? I can tell you a worse one. Don’t waste your time with how badly you believe you’ve been mistreated. The examiner only has a short time to figure out how impaired you are, and they need the facts. Incoherent, concise sentences, and not rambling rants that lead nowhere Answer the questions to the best of your ability. If you don’t know, say so. This is nearly a no-brainer but be honest. Don’t embellish your stories with fanciful tales. Just the facts, please. Be able to document everything you tell the examiner. If possible, have letters from people you served with, unit diary copies of incidents during your time and space, and letters from family members. You may run into someone like me who checked stories out. Family member letters usually don’t add much weight to your case because families are there to support you, and examiners understand that. If sleep is a problem, don’t sleep the night before. Go in on the ragged edge of tired out. But do your best not to be rude and insensitive. Payback in a VA C&P exam is you lose. Not all examiners are that way, but I have met a few that should not have been examiners. When responding to examiners, you need to pick the worst moment relating to that question. You need to be rated for the worst times you have had. I always chose a really bad day and related all of my answers to that day. The day I could not sleep, was anxious and startled easily, was grouchy to my wife and friends, felt like my heart was coming out of my chest, and nothing went right for me. That day should have been in the last 30-90 days. If it was a year ago, you might not need to be having this exam. The questions you are being asked are on a script in front of the examiner. After examiners do this for a while, they get a sense of what is in front of them. It’s not too difficult to determine when someone is lying and struggling with memory. The above does not mean that examiners cannot be scammed because they can be. What to Expect during the Medical Examination You should expect the examiner performing your medical examination to evaluate the condition(s) listed on your claim for benefits. Depending on the number and type of disabilities claimed, the length of the examination will vary. Psychiatric examinations or exams for multiple disabilities require more time to evaluate. If necessary, the examiner may ask more questions about your disability history, review pertinent medical records, or order additional testing or examinations. I discovered veterans lying and dealt with them by reporting this to the proper authorities at the VA. It’s a Federal criminal act to lie to gain monetary compensation. And the odds are you will be prosecuted. It simply isn’t worth it. Examiners are generally good people trying to do a challenging job. Make it easy for them. I always advocated having the individual’s husband/wife in the room with me during the exam. As an examiner, I enjoyed having someone’s spouse with them. Husbands and wives can tell the truth much better than veterans. Ask your wife how well you’ve done in the past ten days versus your opinion of how you’ve been doing. Quite a dramatic difference if you are truthful! Remember to report how you REALLY are doing and not how you’d like to be doing. One of the questions I always had a hard time asking was, “How are you doing today?” Most veterans want to be doing MUCH better than they really are. It’s like we know we can be doing better, and have done better, but our pride does not want to let anyone know how badly we really are doing. Veterans would answer the above question: “Well, I’m doing pretty good.” Should I write, “The veteran reports that he is doing pretty good?” Not if you want your claim adjudicated fairly. The best answer I ever got from a veteran was from a former Marine Vietnam Veteran who said, This veteran just told me he couldn’t sleep due to anxiety, the heart of PTSD, was depressed (remember grumpy?), another critical facet of PTSD, and he’s had problems with his work history if he can’t pay his bills. He wasn’t angry about what he said. He was so matter of fact it took me a bit to realize what he had said. He could have been talking about having a cup of coffee for all of the emotions he expressed. These are things I can explore further with the veteran. I don’t have to hunt or pull teeth for information. This veteran controlled the exam because he knew clearly about his problems and what he wanted to say. I spent some extra time with him. He ended up 100% service-connected for PTSD. He had his ducks in a row, paperwork all present, and had done enough clinical work before the exam that he knew his problems and, more importantly, how to express them to another person. Steve A. Neff MSW Read other Veterans' Questions and Insights on Compensation and Pension Exams More Questions on this topic? Ask them here VA Public Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQs) View full record

Good Afternoon All, I have a PTSD claim for increase tomorrow via video conference. I know that if you went in person, they wouldn't let your spouse or SO in with you. I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with the video conference exam. My wife is going to be sitting next to me when the conference begins and it will be curious to see if they ask her to leave the room. I saw a video from Attorney Chris Attig that suggested it may be beneficial to an impending appeal (if the claim is denied), if the evidence of the record suggests or shows that the spouse was asked to wait outside and that the lay evidence is extremely important to the claim. At my C&P exam in 2015, they said I had to come alone, but I was granted at 50%. Sgt. Wilky

I am currently rated at 30% combined. I submit a new claim for disabilities not on my original claim. I got denied. I've reached put to several firms for help, and all of them have said they either only represent low income/unemployed vets or vets seeking 100% or Total Disability. Anyone know of firms that help for less than 100%? I'm pretty mad about my denial, as QTC was contracted for my appointments. I had 3 C&P appointments in 2021, during September. There was no mention of any additional appointments. Then out of nowhere I was emailed on Feb 7th about an appointment on the 9th (which went to junk mail). I received a paper packet in the mail from QTC postmarked on the 9th, for said appointment on the 9th. I was out of town, so i did not see the packet until March, but even if I was home I wouldn't have seen the packet until the afternoon, on the 9th, which would have been too late. So, I missed the appointment. On Feb 14th a decision was made. I went into this with hopes I would get fair treatment, but this experience really makes me feel like the cards are stacked against me, and I need help from someone else to have a chance. Thanks for any info, Rob

Can anyone help me find the correct form to request a Copy of my C-File ? I am not comfortable reaching out to my VSO. Short explanation.. after waiting 14 months for my AO prostate cancer claim,I was urged to switch to a different VSO who claimed to have access to my files. He passed me off to another person who is unable or unwilling to help me with anything beyond calling Peggy or my congressman. Calls and e-mails are not answered. I did get the 100% temp and retro. Calling the White House hot line seemed to be what broke the roadblock. I`m just really disappointed in these folks. My previous VSO does not seem inclined to take me back , I don`t blame him at all. I am trying to figure out why the VA keeps denying me for my leg and foot issues. I broke both feet in the service. One in boot camp and one three years later along with a severely sprained ankle. I ended up in medical hold for several months in casts. I was awarded 10% for metarsalgia bilaterally in 2013. I fall a lot due to ankle instability. I walk with a cane. I have been diagnosed with painful and severe osteoarthritis in both feet, knees and ankle and bone spurs by the VA. I have been in bilateral AFO`s since May 2019 prescribed by the VA. I tried to go down stairs without the braces one morning last year and fell breaking my arm and spraining my other wrist. I have had 4 C&P exams for my legs and foot issues. #1 was service connected bilaterally for metarsalgia by the VA. #2 was by the VA and found all of the issues were service connected since 2013. # 3 was with VES and she service connected the same issues. #4 was with the VA and again service connected the same issues. I have submitted claims and higher level reviews and been denied. I do have a supplemental claim from Jan 2020 which shows as currently under review. I would at least like to be able to see what has gone on with my claims and try to figure out a path forward. Sorry for the long post, it`s complicated. Thanks, Bob

here we go again. someone please help me. i know this has been talked about already but serious guys i am so fed up and i dont know what to do! i have a favoable exam from 2020 showing SC from a C&P exam(by VES) that the VA sent me to. last year they attempted to have me re-examined over and over again but kept scheduling for my right leg and foot...the claim was for the left leg and left foot...finally the cliam was denied beacuase the last exam i attended after comfirming that the exam was for my left leg with the VA, i found out from the doc upon arrival that it was in fact for the right leg again and was told to leave. the VA said i refused the exam and denied the claim. i reopened the claim. now they are sending me back for re-exam, when there is already an exam on record, in my favor along with medical evidence showing nexus. HELP! this has got to stop!

Good morning, about 2 weeks ago I had C@P exam at major depression at the local Va clinic with VA doctor. Two questions in his note he writes sub-clinical trauma-related symptoms, he also writes in his report that DSM-5 diagnosis: Other Specified Depressive Disorder (persistent dysphoric mood and amotivation secondary to chronic pain with functional limitations)- more likely than not proximately due to or the result of service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as degenerative disc disease, herniated lumbar disc). I think that this helps my case, what are your opinions? Thanks

Hello, I served on active duty with the Army Infantry from 2006-2010 with a couple deployments to Iraq. I was wounded in 2007 and received a Purple Heart. When I left active duty in 2010 I filed a C&P claim and was awarded 20%. Part of my rating was Anxiety. That was 12 years ago and at the time I had no idea how the system worked and didn't have an understanding that my behavior has not been "normal". The C&P Dr. basically said I was okay and sent me on my way. Here we are in 2022 and I finally decided that I needed to actually do something about what I assumed was PTSD. I went to a VA clinic this week and was immediately diagnosed with Chronic PTSD and was prescribed some medication. The Dr. strongly encouraged me to apply for compensation related to this diagnosis and in fact seemed upset that I hadn't been rated higher upon discharge. I'm trying to read up on the process but I'm not really clear on how all of this works. I intend to follow through with a referral to a therapist in the near future and will give the medication a try when it arrives. What are my next steps? I'm near the Columbus, GA area but it appears that the DAV office that assisted me way back in 2010 is no longer present. MOPH seems like it no longer assists with claims. Who can I go to for assistance? Will the Anxiety diagnosis from 2010 impact anything? It's been like 15 years since I was wounded, does that degrade my chances of getting a proper rating? I was incredibly satisfied with the Dr. I saw this week and wish someone like him had talked to me during the C&P back in 2010. I imagine getting treatment back then would have significantly improved the last decade+ of my life and the relationship with my kids. Can't go back now though. A few additional notes: After leaving active duty in 2010 I continued to serve in an intelligence MOS in the Reserves and deployed again, this time to Afghanistan. I ultimately received an honorable discharge in 2017 and am no longer affiliated with the military. No idea if this changes the equation at all. Any help with understanding the process would be incredibly appreciated. My initial claim took 24 months exactly to be processed and the 20% rating never seemed appropriate, but my experience with the VA at that time was so bad I had never intended to interact with them again in any capacity. I know, that was poor judgment, but it was absolutely crushing to my mental health even back then. Thank you in advance, and I will keep reading a much as I can while here.

I currently have a claim for an increase in for PTSD PT. The claim is 5.5 months in and It is in the preparation for decision step almost 2 months now. I received my CP exam results a few weeks ago and the examiner marked: total occupational and social plus 5 of 7 of the criteria for 100. I do not get hopes up that this means automatic due to 3 horrendous experiences with the VA. I look at it like I have a possibility for the rating. Just curious if this is the norm on length now? Also , are only certain personnel allowed to review and rate increases for PTSD P&T? I have heard this. Just want to ask.

Okay, to catch you up first. On June 1st this year, I had an in person C&P through LHI which seemed to go pretty well. On June 3rd, I received an email from VES stating that a C&P had been requested by VA from them even before the LHI C&P posted their result on June 6th (my brother was at a VA symposium in Washington DC during that time and saw the day it was posted but of course, was not allowed to see the results). On June 15th, I received a hard copy of a letter stating that the 2nd C&P was a "records review only" and that I would not have to attend an appointment. Now, here is the "fishy" part. I was able to log into my VES account today and see the status of the supposed "appointment" by a physician (I will leave his name out for now). Per the status, for the appointment, it shows "SEEN" yesterday, 6/19/2022 which was not only a Sunday but Father's Day as well. Now, having worked in healthcare 17 years, it had always been my experience that unless a physician is on call or making rounds, they do not typically work on weekends or holidays. So something isn't right about this whole thing. It just does not make any sense to me. I already know this is not normal but has anyone else had questionable experience(s) with VES? Supposedly they are in "good standing" with the VA but nothing about my experience with VES so far has made any sense to me. Even calling VES has been a nightmare because they put you on hold until the call disconnects (I tried 5 times today to just get some understanding of their process). Maybe I am reading more into it than I should, based on my working knowledge from healthcare. Has anyone had any similar experience with VES and if so, how did it resolve for you? I get it. The government has a crazy way of doing things and it is clear that they want us veterans to just give up and quit because the government doesn't want to admit or compensate for what they have caused.

This is ironic, On monday I was called by the VA from a Lady to do an ACE C/P exam. You know the one were they call you after reviewing your medical records and ask you a few questions about the conditiion. In this case the VA had already done an ACE exam, two years ago, the case was returned to the local level by the BVA, so they are doing the same thing all over again. Today, if you can believe it, I was called for another ACE exam, this was for a new issue, in fact the only issue in the system except the one menitioned above. I claimed GERD , secondary to my COPD medications, I received a call for a lady at the VA ( Caller ID) and asked me to verify my birthday, which I did, then she started asking me questions about my GERD. I told her my symptoms, the problems I was having and why I suspected my COPD meds were causing the problem. I asked her was she asked to give a medical opinion, and she would not answer my question. Really, why is it so hard to tell me yes or no. I say ironic because as I mentioned in another post, I refused to attend C/P exams that were scheduled by a contractor, in which I refused to go, mainly because I had not been called by anyone about this, and I don't want my information all over the place. So now all of a suden I get to ACE exams for the only two claims in the system. Something is not right in Denmark as they say. I just don't get it anymore. So now I wonder what were those appointments for that I refused to attend in a strip mall. The letters did not say so I guess I will never know. I also did mall the va a letter concerning those appointment on Saturday, its to soon for them to respond, ,if they respond to my questions about the exams at all.

I received a letter yesterday Dated 14 June. It reads; We have requested an examination through a private medical facility in order to determine the current level of your disability. This private facility will soon advise you of the date, time and place of the examination. This notification will be in writing, by telephone or perhaps both. If you can't keep the ap[pointment or want to re-rescheduled, contact the medical faculity on the appointment noiice as soon as possible. When a claimant, withour good cause, fails to report for an examination or reexamination, the claim shall be rated based on the evidence of record, or even denied. Examples of good cause include, but are not limited to, illness or hospitalization, death of a family member, etc. Ok so I have 4 claims in the system. My appeal on the left knee ( already had 2 exams), my claim concerning blood cloths in my lungs secondary to my COPD, and my claim for Venous Insufficiency,Chronic, and Peripheral secondary to COPd, the last two claim have ratings 60 to 100% ratings. And a claim for Gerd secondary to COPD, and COPD medications to include steriods. These genius that sent the letter did not tell me which claim they are talking about. In all my 35 years in dealing with the VA , I have never received such a letter. I am befuddled . This letter is dated 14 June it is now 23 June and no private medical faculity has contacted me. I wonder if this will be one of the known contractors, or if this will be done by a real private medical faculity.. Gee Dorthy , i'm gonna follow the yellow brick road with ya and together we will see were it goes. Do you think the Wizzard will get me a good exam and a better rating or will the wicked witch of the west spoil everything? To be continued.

At age 76 and fully P&T 100% for well over twenty years I just received email from LHI to make an appointment for exam for the DOD Reserve Health Readiness Program ( a new one on me). In 1982 I received a total and final Honorable Discharge from The Army Reserve and "all reserve forces of the USA" as a CW2 Warrant Officer Medevac Pilot. Before that I received 3 prior Honorable Discharges as enlisted and Warrant Officer from Active Army and Army National Guard. I also resigned my appointment as a Warrant Officer and I of course have several copies of all those orders and discharges. My VA health issues for P&T are heart disease, GERD, Sleep Apnea, PTSD and Tinnitus all of long duration. It will be a cold day in hell before I ever again risk my butt for good old USA after being treated like a baby killer, joke and loser on returning from Nam in 71 and later years. Sounds like another Dem attempt at a Vietnam Draft?? Maybe this is attempt payback for my twitter post against present?? Has anyone else received one of these emails??? I am not going to even reply to this garbage and if necessary will contact national but not useless local news media. I am not worried about this chit one bit after what I have already been thru at age 76. I can understand if you are afraid to comment on this issue. You may be next I will be posting this comment on other social media where I have 4500 friends on FB.

I actually found my C&P exam on va.gov. First time I've ever seen one in my medical records. This one was done at a VAMC. I don't think the contracted ones show up in there. It took 30 days to show up in there but at least I didn't have to file a FOIA to get it.

My claim is pretty definitive. I had a surgery in service for a kidney issue. For 39 years, I thought all was good from the surgery until during a cancer CT anual exam, I find out that that kidney had "died" through the years as a result of a bad procedure/bad technique/ or inept surgeon. I did my itent to file in 2020 and filed in 2021 and thanks to the COVID government shutdown, had to wait. On 1 June 2022 I was able to finally do a C&P (LHI) that I actually left feeling fairly comfortable with. On 6 June 2022, I get an email alledgely from VBA saying that I needed a C&P to support my claim and it listed Veteran Evaluation Service (with contact information) and stated I would be contacted. I immediately called VES who wasw absolutely no help because they had not received my records/information and had not assigned my case to a scheduler. I was basically told I had to wait to hear from them. Okay, I am the type who likes to research things that involve me. When looking into VES, I found that there is very little information on them and that they only have 25 locations nationwide listed under their name. I also found that yelp ratings were extremely poor. So yesterday, 9 June 2022, I called VES back to inquire and learn a bit more about them and ask why I was possibly going to have to have a 2nd C&P. Imagine my frustration when I learn they still do not have any information on me and still have not assigned a scheduler. But more than that, I would have been better off talking to a wall. She could not provide me any useful information; including where I may have to go for said C&P, only that they would pay for my travel or provide transportation. Mind you, out of the listed 25 locations, the closest is Cleveland OH and I live in Lexington KY which I seriously doubt they are going to transport me to. With that said, has anyone had to deal with this fiasco? My claim is finite. I submitted a fully developed claim with indesputable VA records to back it up. Per my LHI NP who did my C&P 1 June, my military medical records support my claim. (she would not give me any more information than that). While supposedly VES is in good standing with VA, they don't seem very transparent or above board to me and I spent 17 years working on surgical teams as a surgical technician and surgical assistant (independent provider) with a pretty good working knowledge of history and physicals. I am interested with anyone's experiences with VES, for one. And can anyone explain the need for a 2nd exam on a defined case. I mean really, other than opening me up again to look and see that the kidney is no longer there, what could they possibly be looking for? The real proble lies in the fact that now, I am dealing with some issues with the remaining kidney that my VA doctors tell me has diminshed function. Thanks to cancer lung damage, I am not a candidate for transplant. This makes no sense to me.

Hey everyone, So i got couple question, I submit for an increase on my knee fracture and ankle condition again after years, i submit it on feb 19,2022, it still in "Prepare for a Decesion" status. So what happend is they just schedule me last month to a clinic and the doctor there just ask me to lay down and try to do a squad and other thing related to knee and ankle(walk, squad,move my ankle up and side,etc). My question is how likely is for me to get approve for an increase if there no xray exam or mri, just a talk and show me your conditon and few test? Should it take this long for the case? Also i submit a new request for stress disorder due to me being stress about my disability i coudn't work properly and always be resigning, coudn't keep a stable job, would this also be deined due to not service connected? i have a lower back condition that due to my femur and knee being permanent fracture. Also i being try to claim for a fractuce on my hip but i dont know what the right term to call when file for new condition(i have this awhile back in the basic training but never file it)

Well I have my C&P tomorrow at LHI about my Meniere's claim. Should be an adventure. Going to a place that doesn't specialize in anything close to what I'm being examined for. All the new rating and nightmares I hear from everyone. I have to drive 1 hour and 20 minutes to a company that has another office 20 mins from me. I almost just quit the claim and left well enough alone but I think thats what they want. I hope I get a person that listens and reads all my doctors notes. I'll check ebenefits later today to see if I get denied before i even have my examine like last time lol.

Hello Everyone I recently had a HLR and the VA came back and said that they found errors with the previous C&P by LHI. So they scheduled me for another C&P exam which I had on last Friday with a VA NP. She asked me the standard question on the migraine questionnaire and then at the end she said she would have to do some research into the connection between PTSD and migraines and that I would have my decision in 30 days. I wanted to know is it normal to take 30 days because all the other C&P exams that I've had I received the results the day after the C&P exam.

I will be attending a C&P for increase PTSD. I received a suspension for aggressive behavior and a few weeks later I was let go. Will it be same as initial exam or is it a different process?

Hi fellow vets! Yesterday I had a C&P exam for a left leg radiculopathy (secondary to Lumbar Strain which I'm currently rated for at 60%). The doctor was really friendly. We went to do the ROM test and after my first test of bending forward he looked at me and said, "Well obviously you are in too much pain to do any further ROM tests." He didn't measure anything related to my radiculopathy. Should I be worried? Or is this a good thing? I'm worried that if the rater doesn't see any ROM measurements it may be flagged. But he made it sound like it was a good thing for me. He was definitely on my side, which is a first for me. Has anybody ever experienced this before? I noticed on the DBQ there is a box with a line that says, "If unable to test, explain why." He told me he would explain that I was in too much pain to complete the ROM test. Seems like a good thing for me, but not sure. Thanks! Kelly, USMC 0351 OIF Combat Vet

im looking to those with experience with C&P exams and the raters....someone has royally messed up my claim and now i am starting from scratch for pain/loss of use in my left leg and foot. heres the story: way back when- i put in a claim for bilateral knee/leg and feet. the VA couldnt find all my medical records...frustrating as it was they did eventually award my right leg based on some records they found. i found medical records to support the left leg and foot injuries(fractures that have since healed and now ache with arthritis like symptoms- tho i haven't been diagnosed with any arthritis yet) i reopened the claim going on 3 years ago with this new evidence(LOD and medical records showing removed from duty and put on profile for the fractures). the VA in all their wisdom saw this as a reopened claim for "bilateral knee/leg and fee" claim, even tho my right leg and feet/ankles are already SC. i have been to multiple C&P exams for this claim(and at least 5 have been scheduled in total) the first 2-3x the doctor evaluated my left leg and did the angles limited movement tests etc. the VA scheduled mayb 2-3x after those appointments to "evaluate the right leg and foot". i called PEGGY every time and confirmed what the c&P was for and explained i was not asking for increase in my right leg, my right leg is SC and i dont need any evaluation of that leg for this claim! they would cancel the appointment and reschedule and again it would be for my right leg. the last time i called they confirmed the appointment was only for left leg evaluation(saying that the previous C&P evals on the left leg are now out of date or invalid and i need a new one) so i go to the appointment. i get there and the doc starts evaluating my RIGHT LEG!!!! i flip. finally the doc says this is huge mistake bc he can see that the claim is for left leg but they ordered wrong thing and needs to be rescheduled. well the VA now denied my claim saying i refused the exam. WHAT DO I DO?!?!?!?!!? HELP PLEASE bc i am so done with this shite. this claim is not very much but it was one of the first claims i submitted in 2008 and i should get back pay for. also these 2 SC would give me 100% rating sooner than i was previous awarded and that would be extra back pay as well. i feel like i get 1 step forward in a win and 10 back in loses. @brokensoldier244th i know you have a lot of expertise in this. thoughts?