tdiu Today Is The Day For My C&p

[tdak]

I am actually reposting something that got lost in the shuffle. I had a questions about my exam today and I still don't have an answer and I figure I am leaving shortly and hopefully will get some input.

Pete had mentioned to me to have them rate it with what they have and this was my response.

If I ask them to rate is with what they have, what will become of the other secondary conditions I had submitted a few months ago and supposedly haven't gotten around to doing anything with it yet. I added the tmj, hypothyroidism, and tinnitus but I had already gotten the notice for the TDIU C&P before that. I haven't even gotten the letter for duty to assist for the tmj, hypo and tinnitus yet.

And yes, thats the picture I am taking with me, my brother just emailed it to me and he named it zipper head (he loves to call me that still today).

OH, another question, I don't have it listed with the VA anywhere, but the Chiari (brain herniation) created a brainstem hump (c1-c2), that is where the permanent damage to my left side came in. Is there anything I can submit for the brainstem hump, because it is still there and will never go away. oh yea, maybe even bone loss, due to the fact I had a lamenectomy (removal of c1 and partial c-2). If there is something I can submit, I will especially if they deny me IU.

Thanks everyone for the input.

PS. How long does the exam usually take?

I am so nervous my stomach is turning bad.

[Josephine]

I have never gotten any copies of any c & p and I have had 2. I did inquire at the 800# about a copy of my c-file and because it was in transit (during my initial claim) to another location due to the backlo. I was informed to wait until the claim was done otherwise it would make it that much longer that they would have to get the file to copy it then return it to whatever department it was at.

Ok, this is much better to me because I have memory loss and don't always remember what was said to me at the time of the exam, so I should call in a day or 2 and ask for a copy of the C & P exam with all the notes?

Would they give me copies of both exams or just the recent one. I am willing to drive another 45 min + to pick them up or sign papers if need be.

Thanks.

tdak,

Yes, the records department will give you copies of any C&P that you wish a copy of. I am not sure about the notes, as I was not allowed to have those, of course I was told that none existed, and I believe this. I took my C&P'S and made my own copies of each, as I did later need them for other doctors outside of the VAMC.

Hope this helps you.

Josephine

I

[Josephine]

I have never gotten any copies of any c & p and I have had 2. I did inquire at the 800# about a copy of my c-file and because it was in transit (during my initial claim) to another location due to the backlo. I was informed to wait until the claim was done otherwise it would make it that much longer that they would have to get the file to copy it then return it to whatever department it was at.

Ok, this is much better to me because I have memory loss and don't always remember what was said to me at the time of the exam, so I should call in a day or 2 and ask for a copy of the C & P exam with all the notes?

Would they give me copies of both exams or just the recent one. I am willing to drive another 45 min + to pick them up or sign papers if need be.

Thanks.

tdak,

Yes, the records department will give you copies of any C&P that you wish a copy of. I am not sure about the notes, as I was not allowed to have those, of course I was told that none existed, and I believe this. I took my C&P'S and made my own copies of each, as I did later need them for other doctors outside of the VAMC.

Hope this helps you.

Josephine

I

[Josephine]

Hi, tdak.

I spent yesterday at the VAMC Dallas.

Went for my psych C&P.

I'd been telling them that I was crazy.......

Now they finally believe me..........I mean, after all, when someone tells you he's crazy..!

The exam was at 10:30....was over by 11:30, so I went done to the mess hall for lunch.

After lunch, I went down to the basement where the Release Of Information (Medical Records) office is located, gave them my VA ID card, the young lady fills out my release form and I sign it, she has ALL my med recs printed off in about 3 minutes, INCLUDING my C&P that I had just had.

Simple, yes?

BTW, the psychiatrist said "The veteran's Major Depression is definitely associated with his long-standing (30+ years) pain due to his Service Connected left leg and ankle.....and the fact that his Major Depression and the residuals of that and his Service Connected injury have rendered him unemployable....."

A day well-spent, I'd say.

G-d Bless.

Larry,

That is good to hear. I am surprised that your C&P was ready for pick up that fast. What a great job. I praise your doctor.

Always,

Josephine

(Betty}

[tdak]

Thats great Larry!

Defnately worth the trip there for you.

When he asked me how I felt, I told him,"like absolute crap" He then asked me well even since the last time you saw me? I said much worse, I have gone downhill since then. I was told by my neurosurgeon told me I was what they considered a failed Chiari surgery patient. Unemployablability/Permanet and Total is what I am hoping for and with the letters I gave him from my doctors with my current SC'd disabilities and new ones that are expected to be pernanent and possibly progressive, as well as rendering me totally disabled because of my SC disability should help. The doctor went over everything listed by my doctor that was in my file with me. Then he even wrote some of them down again. Now I have to put in a claim for them like the left side peripheral neuropathy, thats the one thing I missed.

Then the doctor told me in the C & P that they were no longer allowed to state a vet is unemployable, due to a recent meeting he had and he even seemed unhappy with it. When he said to me about not being able to state a vet is unemployable, I asked him why not, then asked him, would he hire me with all the ailments, issues, problems, and disabilities I have because of my SC'd disability. He just shook his head no. We continued the exam, line by line, eyes, ears, etc and then he personally walked me to the travel pay department (or whatever its called) because I drove something like 88 miles to be there.

I am going to call the Medical Records Department today to see if I can get a copy of my exam or any of my records for that matter. Thanks Josephine.

Edited May 18, 2007 by tdak

[Pete53]

Tdak:

There is a form you have to sign. For the reason for copies I always say for my claim.

It took about a week to get mine. Sometimes the Doc does it on the spot like Larry and sometimes they do a little more digging before they finish it off.

But calling is good if you have a lot of patience. When I call the VA in Dallas you have to wait to speak to the operator to put your call to whoever and than you have to wait for them to answer.

If I were you I would wait till a nice day and drive over and go to the records release Department.

My opinion is you will be awarded 100%.

Good Luck

[tdak]

Oh yea Pete, I forgot to tell you what else I mentioned to the C&P doc. I told him that I was never even given my convelesent pay from my surgery, which I have never gone back to work since the surgery, as per doctors orders. He just looked through the file, then I told him that I had just put a claim in for it a few months ago and didn't realize I had to claim it, I thought it was automatic and then I was given this appointment, so I figured this was part of it.

Now all I have to do is wait and see what happens, but in the mean time, I will still claim the Left Peripheral Neuropathy and anything else I find that is listed in my file.