I Am Not Just Angry

[rdnkjeeper]

I am pissed. (Sorry, but I am)

I got my award letter today. They said that everything has stayed the same so they are leaving me at 20% for "low back strain". For those that missed it I have 4 herniated discs, 5 bulging discs and a bunch of other stuff according to my MRI. I can hardly do my job, I can barely live day to day. But the dang doctor I saw lied his butt off. Said no pain, no sciadia (sp?), and a bunch of other stuff, but I do have that stuff. So I am going to get a report from the neuroligist and a few other people and send down a NOD, but I am actually thinking about filing a CUE. My chiropractor is pretty POed when he reviewed all my medical records and said why didn't they treat you for the numbness in you butt and stuff. I said I don't know. There is also a note in my medical records suggesting an MRI, when I saw a Doctor at my local clinic, she said it is just a "Mechanical Back".

Any advice? I have to wait until after the Neuro appointments before I do anything. I am actually thinking about hiring an attorney.

[broncovet]

You need to understand there is a conflict of interest right here in the VA. Former Secretary Principi, now a lobbyist, is a majority owner of QTC. I think QTC is still doing comp and Pen exams

Here is the link:

http://www.vawatchdog.org/09/nf09/nfjan09/nf012609-3.htm

Be sure to also check out the other links on that page for the complete story.

According to the VAOIG, QTC overcharged the VA by $6million.

There have been other employee and physician frauds at the VA, also:

http://www.va.gov/oig/publications/press-release.asp?id=18

and

http://www.va.gov/oig/publications/press-release.asp?id=27

Importantly, apparently the VA didnt even check this doctors license:

http://www.va.gov/oig/publications/press-release.asp?id=26

I guess it was more important that the doc do C&P exams adhering to the VA's agenda, rather than find out if the doc's license was for real. Would it be asking too much for the VA to Call the medical school where the "doc" was licensed to check his credentials? Believe me, everything you and I say has to be proven over and over again..but a doctor..heck, maybe I should just print you a medical license and you could go to work for QTC and do a comp and pen exam for me..since QTC does not check docs licenses..

If you read these, you can get the picture:

The VA picks your comp and Pension Doc. He goes through the motions, gets paid very well and tells the VARO to deny your benefits. Then, the RO pays benefits to fraudulent Veterans, and steals money that belongs to legitimate Veteran claimants.

I know those people who say my "conspiracy theory" is nuts..but these are charges by the VAOIG..I didnt pull them out of a hat. I did, however, "connect the dots"

If you scroll down this link to Employee fraud:

http://www.va.gov/oig/publications/news-list.asp

and you read these, you can see why I think there is widespread fraud in the VA, stealing our benefits.

Remember, these are JUST EMPLOYEES WHO GOT CAUGHT, and not all of the fraud in the VA.

Edited January 27, 2009 by broncovet

[Pete53]

I don't care for QTC but I like what Principi did when he was Sec. I think he actually fought for Vets that is why he was replaced with the bottom feeding scum sucking Nicholson. I sent Principi several emails and he always responded to me quickly and courteously. He was also behind ChampVA for life and allowing more Vets to use VA.

By the way there are some who have said on Hadit that they got favorable C&P'd from QTC so I guess the jury is out. O would rather have a QTC with a professional than some of the quacks I have dealt with in Dallas.

[Testvet]

DR Durkin at Dorn here is Columbia hasn;t found anything hecan't find a reason to deny he has been their C&P doc for years and he also signs off on the NP C&P exams that may be one of the reasons the Columbia VARO has such a bad reputation

[deltaj]

How are your herniated discs related to military service? If those are related to military service you will need a nexus statement from a physician in writing explaining this submitted to V.A. in support of your pending claim. I suggest you go see a service officer at the Disabled American Veterans or another service organization to help you pursue your appeal.

[Stretch]

I am not a VSO, but I do know that opinion is relevant to this post. Many newer Vets and some older Vets, don't understand that VA C&P exams can be the root of a decision/rating process. To trust a VA nurse or VA contractor, with VA policy and agenda forced on these nurses/contractors, will mean humiliation and degradation of any complaint the Veteran may have. There are two sides to every coin, and the Veteran only knows of one side.

Many of these C&P exams are not done by doctors. These C&P's are done by PNA (Nurses)/VA contractor nurses, and then the nurses opinions are co-signed by doctors, who have not even considered first hand evaluations. Just get a copy of your C&P and look who has made the VA evaluation (PNA with doctor co-sign).

This information is relevant to Veterans, who must get IME's (Independent Medical Exams) from private doctors, which will help Veterans present valid evidence that could have/would have been over looked by a Nurse trying to make the VA claim moot with inaccuracies and elimination of records and information.

I suggest that the Veteran, gets their own IMO/IME (independent Medical Opinion/independent Medical Evaluation), considering service records and the relevant opinion/examination, by a real doctor.

I would further suggest that any VSO, tell the Veteran the truth and have the Veteran get an IMO/IME. I would also suggest that any VSO, anywhere, make sure that the Veterans IMO/IME is done properly and included in an VA decision for benefits. The VSO should be responsible and liable for any IMO/IME, that is not included in a VA decision.

[Pete53]

Stretch a very good post and I agree with you completely. Many Vets suffer by inferior and poor quality exams and I would have never gotten 100% without a good IMO that I paid for.