Lessons Learned Initial Disability Claim Exit Physical

[cowgirl]

My first claim to the VA had several disability issues listed but not well defined or supported. I didn't specify very well what I wanted in medical terms or " I have this problem that occured during miltary service..... For example, I simply listed "fractured fingers" or "lower back, lumbar problems". IN hindsight, I should clearly stated a very complete request for claimed issue. I should have been proactive in supporting my claimed conditions that I needed service connection (SC) for. I also didnt "challenge" the denials, follow up with debate or disagreement, thinking that all was for not with all the "vague" verbage on the VA response.

Now I am thinking, the VA should have researched my issues on inferred or implied basis? Just a thought I have had for several years now, but reading a post here regards "inferred" caught my attention. So with that said. if a rater were reviewing my medical records for evidence related to the disability items I "listed" and applied for in my disability claim, as a minimum they should have looked for medical evidence and diagnosis's in my SMRs. The diagnosis's were clearly there, supported by years of treatment records. I still have unresolved disabilities and continue to work for SC, over a decade later. With kids in school and a husband, I havent been able to hold a full time job since the military, its been a strain to say the least.

Some of the responses I recieved from the VA mentioned exit physical "denial" for an issue. My exit physcial was all paperwork and a breif interview with a technician. I probably accepted my medical conditions or diagnosis's as status quo, my own ignorance. It would have been great to have a sponsor or buddy who had been through it all before, like us here at Hadit. I think this exam very important. As usual military procedure, I used a timed checklist to outprocess from the service and so I was concerned problems during the "exam" would delay my release. Or even worse, any problems presented for medical disability would cause a ton of paperwork to be reviewed in accordance with regulation this or that. For what its worth, I recieved high performance ratings during my years in service with no discipline problems, following orders as given.

What I know now, My exit exam was 'Very Important" and that all important medical problems were recognized BEFORE I accepted it as final. The terms "whitewash", "expediency " and "accepting orders and not making waves" comes to mind.

What I know now: Question again and again, don't follow "blind" orders and realize whats due.cg (with 2 cups of coffee on a Saturday mornin')

[cowgirl]

Yesterday I found my exit exam note in my records, said in accordance with a particular regulation I didnt require a "physical". However, I did get to lightly go over forms with a technician and dont recall seeing a doctor confirm anything written. I highly encourage the idea of reviewing teh records, taking them home if possible and filling out the form (copying it once complete too!)Getting a copy of service records (personnel, training and financial) and medical records is probably more engaging these days with computerized data banks. Just a thought, what happens if a military member needs to have SMR for an off post doctor appointment? Do they carry the entire paper records or computer disk? If I could give a thought to new veteran/retirees - Forget about the pressure to return to work to do this or that. the outprocessing appointment is just that, use the time one needs to take care of self. cg

I deal with several active duty "holdover" soldier and soon to be retirees so I thought I'd comment here. The exit exam is critical... they try and give you a form and ask you to filll it out just prior to the exam listing all your problems. I reccomend saying that you need to look at your records to fill it out, reschedule and take the form home. Go over it in depth and list everything that is in your records. Yeah the VA doc is gonna get pissed when the see it all because they have to go over it.... too bad.

Further, I like to tell soon to be veteran to ensure they get a copy of their service records... often things like convalescent leave are better annotated in those, as well as a great many other items you may need. May sure both your medical, and service records are complete. Make copies... several of each.

[Tower_Rat]

I never had an exit exam when i got out.