C&p Exam With A Physician Assisant

[Ryguy]

Whew... Finally I think my appeal is starting to move, I received a letter today saying that I have an appoinmtne with a Physician Assistant for my cervical and upper back issues. I've gotten the letter from my primary care physican from va, mri reports, and a statement from my battle buddy who took me to my doctor's appointments after my injury while on active duty.

My question is, has anyone ever heard of a C&P Exam with a Physician's Assistant???? I just thought that was a little odd. Any ideas or history with this will be appreciated. Thanks Everyone

[halos2]

They utalize them and nurse practitioners too. Remember if you haave 1 good day out of 30 do not talk about the one good day. Make sure anything he/she says and asks is what is written...go to the FOIA office (medical records) and get sign up for a copy of the exam. They will have to send it to you as the examiner will not be done with it on that day. Watch your posture, gate, ability/inability to stand, sit, walk, turn head and angels of which you can do it with/without pain. Don't hesitate to say if it is painful. Note if a gonimeter is used for angle measurements if applicable too. Good luck. Be truthful.

[Ryguy]

Thanks so much for those tips. I have been dealing with this appeal with since 2007, I appealed it and asked for a Review Officer to make a decision as my VA REP said this was the best route to go. I just getting really anxious to know that the ball is actually rolling. Thanks again

[Chuck75]

In theory, A PA is better than an RN. An MD can give an opinion that trumps a PA or RN's opinion if it becomes necessary to get into the appeal process.

A problem may occur when an MD just "signs off", without really reading the PA or RN's results, and also checking them against medical history.

The C&P for IHD I was sent to last year was given by an RN. When the Nehmer review board looked at my records, they mentioned the C&P in passing, said it was inadequate,

and then proceeded to award based upon medical treatment records and specialists diagnoses. The records were the same that SSA used to award, with additional later records added.

The only possible problem that I see is that the VA's way of looking at things is often based upon range of motion, rather than the other symptoms and aggravations.

Whew... Finally I think my appeal is starting to move, I received a letter today saying that I have an appointment with a Physician Assistant for my cervical and upper back issues. I've gotten the letter from my primary care physican from va, mri reports, and a statement from my battle buddy who took me to my doctor's appointments after my injury while on active duty.

My question is, has anyone ever heard of a C&P Exam with a Physician's Assistant???? I just thought that was a little odd. Any ideas or history with this will be appreciated. Thanks Everyone

[justrluk]

My initial exams were done by a PA. Ended up with 70%. He later became my PCM, and I've been well taken care of ever since.

[john999]

I had a heart exam done by a PA. If she did not know something she just guessed. I was rated 0%. I appealed and got some tests and got 60%. The exam I got from the PA was a joke. I think the cardiac doctor must have a rubber stamp to sign off on these exams.

[Pete53]

I consider any C&P exam done by anyone other than an MD as dubious and that applies to the old retired Docs they use also.