C&p 3 From A Contractor

[simple fly]

i received notice by mail saturday,that i have 3 c&p's scheduled within the next 5 days[short notice]. they were from a contractor in san antonio and all of my appointments are with a civilian clinics and not va.is this the norm?why are contractors involved? are they tough to crack?are they fair?

[LarryJ]

Yes, it is "normal".

Most of the C&P's performed AT the VA Medical Center are performed by private contractors.

Moonlighting M.D.'s, PA's, NP's do MOST of the C&P's, regardless of where they are performed.

[Pete53]

If the Doc is under 70 I would be surprised at VA. Not that is all bad cause some of the older Docs still have some ethics.

I would not worry about it. Here is what I would do. Take the C&P's. Get copies of the report as soon as you can probably from VARO Waco or possibly C&P Department at San Antonio.

If they look good I would write a letter and ask the VARO to rate on the evidence they have and note the C&P and that you don't want to wait any longer.

Good Luck

[LarryJ]

Yup.

What Pete just said.

Get your C&P, see if it helps your cause, then write the RO and let them know that you are through, and to go ahead and rate you.

[allan]

Private contractors has worked out for the VA, like it has for the DOD.

Myself, I would rather have the C&P done by a VAMC C&P examiner thats been doing it for years.

If they send your file to a contractor for a medical opinion of your records. It's likely to not be fair. They will not take the time to look at your records.