Medical Examinations And Prescription Drugs

[mutt]

I just wanted to throw this thought grenade out there:

When undergoing a medical examination for VA benefits, how can the doctor get an accurate picture of potential disability conditions when the Soldier is pumped full of drugs that would mask the very conditions the doctor is looking for?

i.e. I've got arthritis from neck to toe, fibromyalgia, migraines, and sleep apnea...to name a few. I'm on six different medications that make life managable. My general health is better with the help of these drugs as is my range of motion and pain tolerance.

I've heard other veterans say to tell the doctor about how you feel on your worst days, not what you're feeling now with the aid of drugs/therapy.

I don't want the doctor to think I feel OK.

Without the aid of medicine/therapy I would be miserable...and God only knows how I'll feel in ten years.

Can anybody give me some advice?

Thanks and God bless,

Mitch

[vaf]

I've said this before. A C & P examiner cannot objectively measure what cannot be observed when masked by prescription drugs. Perfect example - range of motion examinations for cervical and lumbar spine problems. I won't weigh in on psychiatric C & P's because I have no experience with that.

Personal experience -- no C & P examiner has ever considered my husband's lengthy list of medications when conducting a C & P. It's what he saw and in many cases, didn't see but embellished the truth or out and out lied about what the veteran said vs. what was really said.

[Guest morgan]

For a VA C & P, I take all the meds with me. I open up the bag & place each bottle in front of doctor (all 14 of them). If he starts telling me that is not necessary, I keep going till I show him all of the meds. Maybe I have a thing for drama, but I want him to know that I have all these pills & take every day. I know he is suppose to have my records, but I don't trust C & P Doctor to have anything.

I did the same thing for SSD Exam. The Shrink looked at them, picked out the 3 that were for PTSD & then asked me to tell him about the other meds. By the way, I had SSD approved in four months & had to wait out the 6 months before it started.

Don

This is a great way to handle the oft discussed factor of medication and its bearing on the true level of disability---nothing like a good visual to make your point. I especially like how you advise to keep pulling out bottles even if the doc says it's not necessary. Love it!

With so many rushed (inadequate) C&P exams, a veteran needs all the help he or she can get! And this is much safer than stopping medications before an exam. It also gives an opportunity to discuss high dosages needed to control certain conditions. We all know the file review by the examiner is a farce; chances are they aren't going to pay attention to the medication list, much less the prescribed dose.

[mutt]

See? That's why this site is so great. No amount of reading regulations can make up for experience. Thanks for sharing yours.

And I agree...taking out your prescription bottles in front of the doctor is a great way to visually show what he/she might otherwise miss...and it makes it more real. Great advice.

Mitch

[sixthscents]

I've said this before. A C & P examiner cannot objectively measure what cannot be observed when masked by prescription drugs.

I agree... but and this is a QUESTION... please I am looking for opinions made in a coherent and calm manner, not a flame war ok? please? does this mean a veteran should not take their medications prior to a C&P, and if they do is this wrong. I mean is compensation is paid for illness, or injuries incurred PRIOR to treatment, or the remaining function AFTER treatment... which is it, and is medication considered treatment since it only treat the symptoms but does not affect a cure, as opposed to say a surgery where a joint was replaced...

The joint replacement actually addressed the injury or illness and partially (perhaps) corrected it. So, should the VA then rate on the remaing loss of function? Also, again since medication treats only the symptomns and does not directly reduce the injury, would it be ETHICAL for the vteran not to take some or all of their meds prior to a C&P so the Doctor would get a REAL injury picture... honestly how COULD the doctor get a REAL injury picture with the veteran taking medications which may mask some or all of the disabilities effects?

Again this is a question.... I am really asking that we debate this issue because I am uncertain myself how to address it... howevere I am NOT asking or supporting lying on a claim... not now not ever, but is not taking your meds lying in a way?...... I am NOT saying it is, I am asking opinions as to wether it is or not.

I KNOW there are going to be some passionate replies... please I am only asking this because I am unsure of my own stance. Let's discuss this if you'd like.

Also, I liked the pill thing... yep the meds information are available in the system easily but NOTHING beats seeing them. Good on YA!!

[vaf]

Sixth, no one's flaming. It was meant as a simple statement. I'm a "flaming" redhead, but when I get really steamed about something, believe me, you'll know it. That wasn't the case (this time) Let's be careful not to overreact just because we may disagree, OK?

[luvHIM]

My condition is not curable. So, meds are purely for the symptoms. However, I'm not married either. So, when I go to my follow-up and or C&P exams, I drive myself. All of my docs are fully aware that I do not take meds the morning of my appointments, which is why I try to have them scheduled in the AM.

Taking your meds with you is a good idea and I'm glad it works for you.

Not taking my meds before a C&P exam has never been a secret. I have told the C&P examiners, as well as my VA docs, when I don't take the meds. I think if your moitives are impure than you will come across that way. But I don't have to prove anything...meds or not...its all in the x-rays and labs. Again, I'm already service connected (and that was before treatment). So, I think it depends on why a person stops taking the meds. In my case, driving is prohibited...anyway.

Lastly, most of us (who have legitimate claims) have tried to do things on the honor system. I have no reason to lie about anything. I'm already on SSD and I was not taking half the drugs I'm now taking when that was awarded in 2005. I'm not sure what the real issue is. Is it about veterans lying and trying to beat the system? I think it is much more difficult to do that for claims like mine and the one mutt describes.

VBA Schedule for Rating Disabilities indicates that "pain" is suppose to be a given for conditions like arthritis. But not all rating specialists are reading there own VBA regulations; not all C&P examiners are giving a veteran benefit of the doubt in the write up either. If the vet dressed nice that day, he/she suddenly is ready to go out on a job interview.

Bottom line, follow your own heart. Do what is right in the sight of God; and then breathe.