Echo Procedures For C&p Exams

[carlie]

Two weeks ago I had a C&P exam due to instructions from my BVA remand.

The examiner was to review all evidence, order any test they deemed necessary and opine

as to if my SC'd respiratory conditions are aggravating my NSC heart conditions.

The examiner in my opinion was quite good.

He ordered a new Echocardiogram to determine my surest level of

Pulmonary Artery Pressure (PAP). He said this was needed to help

him write his opinion.

I was scheduled for a Echocardiogram last week.

Here I am laying on the table doing the test - (the echo is just like a ultra sound procedure) and I asked the tech -

hey, this test will give the examiner a reading for my PAP right ?

The tech told me NO - I said get your supervisor.

I was told by the technician and her supervisor that there is new policy in

doing Echo's ordered by the C&P examiner's.

They will now be doing 2 types of Echo's.

1) Is an INCOMPLETE echo test that will provide the ejection fraction (EF).

2) A COMPLETE echo that will provide the EF and the Pulmonary Artery Pressure

(PAP).

The supervisor continued on to tell me that the C&P examiner had ordered an echo for me

(BUT that the C&P examiner probably did not know about this above change in policy yet).

The echo department decided I would get an INCOMPLETE echodue to AO - IHD.

I said OH NO - This is BS - and the supervisor told me that's all they could do on me

and I needed to speak with my service officer - I told her I represent myself.

I continued on stating I am not AO - I am Not IHD.

I am here due to a BVA remand - she said she already knew this.

I quickly and concisely stated:

The C&P examiner needs to know my current PAP

and you are not going to provide the correct test for this.

Your results will go to the examiner - then his C&P results to the RO,

the RO will deny and pass it back to BVA - I will be notified of the Denial,

I will tell BVA I had an inadequate exam - BVA will again remand to the RO,

the RO will send me for an ADEQUATE exam and I will end up right back her.

I told her by doing an inadequate exam she personally will be costing me another 2-3 years of not getting my benefits !

The supervisor told the tech to call the C&P examiner and tell him what

the veteran is saying - with the I must be lying attitude.

The tech went away for about 10 minutes, came back in and said -

well you are going to get the COMPLETE echo to include a PAP reading,

and DR. XXX didn't even need to pull you up on the computer - he knew

who you were.

I told her that the examiner had discussed this at length last week

and that's exactly why he ordered this specific test.

Anyways - I just want other claimants to be aware there are now (supposedly)

2 different levels of echo's being done at VAMC's in relation to C&P exams.

How about all the vets that will go thru BS like this - not knowing at all

what is supposed to be done and what, in reality is actually being done.

They will have absolutely no clue.

[jbasser]

Carlie, the MUGA scan is a Nuclear medicine scan. A Radioactive Isotope is injected into you and they take pictures with this scan Before and after exercise.

John