C&p And Your Claim File

[jlshand]

Had three C&P exams two weeks ago, ALL with MD's contracted by VA.

NOT ONE OF THESE FOLKS HAD MY CLAIMS FILE!!

The Internist who I learned later will actually gather all the results and write the report to the VA, told me that they (MD's contracted by the VA)were not supposed to have my medical records so THAT they (she)

COULD GIVE A TOTALLY INDEPENDENT AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION!!!!

What do you all think of this B.S?????

I have a pacemaker ( clearly indicated in all my claims paperwork and notede visually by the technician) but they wanted to give me a treadmill stress test!!!

Now, any first year med student will tell you a pacemaker and treadmill test just dont work real well together

The entire Internist face exam took less than ten minutes

[vaf]

It took 4 yrs to get a hearing with the BVA. During that time I recieved help through some very kind hadit members & was able to get a Writ sent in. This spured a request from COVA or the BVA,(don't recall) for a specialist in "Orthopeadics" to examine my spine.

I was sent to the local C&P dept again, this time I got another "Internal medicine" MD.

This jerk decided to put an end to it & stated I may be "MALINGERING".

Allanopie, if this is the way the VARO handled the original writ, I would file another one based on the internal medicine doctor not being an orthopeadics specialist. The VARO did not follow the instructions of the Court. If Dr. Bash gave you the IMO for the condition for which you've been accused of "malingering," that would be evidentiary support that you are doing no such thing.

You know, I've gotta tell you. If someone accused my husband of that, I don't care how long it took or how much of my time it required to deal with them, I'd get my rear in gear and go for their jugular. I wouldn't let that go unaddressed, and I wouldn't let the "jerk" who called you a malingerer think he put an end to the whole issue, not by a longshot.

[mssoup1]

I probably have the record for the number of complaints filed for inadequate C & P exams. Our local VAMC has one general physician who does most of the C & P exams, even ones which should have been done by a specialist. I have been fortunate enough in the past that I was able to get a copy of the C & P exams shortly after they were entered into the system. If they were inadequate, I did not wait for a denial from the VARO, which would have only caused a longer wait. I would immediately write a letter stating the specific errors in the report and also send a copy of the report along with it. I highlighted all of the areas which were in error. I then requested that my husband be given a new C & P exam, and that the same examiner not be the one doing this exam. In all but one case, this was done and the claim proceeded on. On the one that a new C & P exam was requested and not given and the claim denied, I plan to again appeal based on the fact that a new C & P exam was requested and not given. I will also have a letter from one of my husbands physicians who can also address some of the incorrect information in the exam.

I understand that the VARO does not like veterans being able to get copies of their C & P exams before a decision is made on their claim. To me, I feel that this would save time in the process, since you can catch mistakes before a decision is made which can have an impact on the outcome of your claim.

mssoup1

[jlshand]

Could have added to my earlier report on my three C@ps that although I am claiming PN in both a hand and foot, and this is clearly acknowledged on paperwork from the VA, no questions or tests about these conditions were conducted.

Now ,I guess there could be another round of exams in store for me but the scheduler contracted by the VA seemed to think I am done.

I had in mind at least the prospect of walking out when the MD's had no records of mine but in reality since the prospects for delay and denial are so strong I really did figure I'd at least consider taking the exams then a step in an ultimate direction as well as potentially more, valid criticism of how these cases are handled.

After the stolen records scandal and the possible contaminated flu instruments debacle where are the legitimate voices out there for an entire overhaul of this incompetent ,criminally mismanaged organization ?

[vaf]

I wouldn't advise walking out of a C & P exam for any reason. Take it, and then challenge it. Or take it, complain to the Patient Advocate, and then challenge it.

[Guest allanopie]

>If Dr. Bash gave you the IMO for the condition for which you've been accused of "malingering," that would be evidentiary support that you are doing no such thing.

Hello Vicki,

it knocked the wind out of me a bit. I was over medicated at the time with 3 different antidepressents from a VAMC dr's treatment, so I wasn't up to fighting back very well. Asked an SO to assist, but just got laughed off. When I heard about Dr Bash from Berta, I thought it was the best way to resolve the matter & set the record straight on who's full of BS, my medical records, me or the VA. Ever since, i've been accused on the web & through emails that I hired the big guns & PAID Bash to write what "I" wanted.

Good Lord. What kind of fool do these folks think I am that I wouldn't have medicals records to back up my claims.

I don't let these jerks bother me anymore. My happiness doesn't depend on what a fool working for a thief has to say. Both will get caught in the cookie jar in the end.

Since this internist said I may be milingering, a VA Neurologist said I had a "Brain Injury" and Dr Bash agreed with the PA C&P examiner back in 97 and a Local Dr I started seeing back in the 70's when I first moved to WA state, that my current neuromuscular disorder, spinal sclerosis, stenosis, DJD, DDD, etc was service connected.

The VA has only been treating my MS symptoms & spinal issues since 1993. So maybe it's to short of notice for a C&P examiner in 2003 to view VA diagnoses, xays, MRI's, cat scans & lab reports accumulated for a decade, backed by nearly two decades of private treatment records showing progression & service records showing direct service connection. Malingering? With the records I have, I doubt the VA will deny it again, based on the internists eagerness to kiss their butts over his paycheck.

I should recieve word from the BVA on the medical opinions DR Bash has sent in for the spinal issues, & Multiple Sclerosis any day now.

With my blood pressure running 157 over 134, im trying to be careful of what I get worked up over. This rainy season has me focused on nothing but pain right now & sleepless nights while I wait for "another" letter.

allan

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It took 4 yrs to get a hearing with the BVA. During that time I recieved help through some very kind hadit members & was able to get a Writ sent in. This spured a request from COVA or the BVA,(don't recall) for a specialist in "Orthopeadics" to examine my spine.

I was sent to the local C&P dept again, this time I got another "Internal medicine" MD.

This jerk decided to put an end to it & stated I may be "MALINGERING".

Allanopie, if this is the way the VARO handled the original writ, I would file another one based on the internal medicine doctor not being an orthopeadics specialist. The VARO did not follow the instructions of the Court. If Dr. Bash gave you the IMO for the condition for which you've been accused of "malingering," that would be evidentiary support that you are doing no such thing.

You know, I've gotta tell you. If someone accused my husband of that, I don't care how long it took or how much of my time it required to deal with them, I'd get my rear in gear and go for their jugular. I wouldn't let that go unaddressed, and I wouldn't let the "jerk" who called you a malingerer think he put an end to the whole issue, not by a longshot.

[vaf]

I understand, Allan. My husband's got hypertension as a by-product of medication he's taking for a service connected disability. That's why I got involved in his claims, so he wouldn't get upset about all this. I can get angry and not let it affect my health, whereas he can't. I have to laugh to myself when I read here that veterans actually go to their respective VARO's in person to discuss problems and drop off their claims. He can't go near the VARO here, I wouldn't know what to expect and don't want to find out.

I want to suggest to you not to expect too much from the Board. They made a passing mention of Dr. Bash's IMO's issued on behalf of my husband, just citing them in a list of other evidence, without giving the required reasons or bases as to why his opinions were ignored and the claim denied. We now have a Court appeal pending, and I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll have better luck there.

I hope everything works out for you.