ptsd Prepared Written Statement For C&p Exam?

[beautygirlsmom]

My husband is schedule for a repeat C&P exam next week to follow up on the deferred issues (his eyes) from the recent settlemet of his claim. He has PTSD, and he has a hard time getting to the point with things, which I think is part of the problem from the first opthalmic C&P exam. He has a tendency to ramble, get off topic, and issues get confused.

I wanted him to sit down before he goes and type up a written history of the accident, his onboard treatment, follow up medical treatment when he was discharged, and the progression of his issues since then (he is now legally blind in both eyes). His concern is that they won't accept the statement, or if they allow such things, there must be a form that you have to put it on.

Are we allowed to do this? Do they consider it as part of the exam, or will it be dismissed? I can go with him to the exam, but the first time, the doctor clearly directed all of her questions to my husband, without giving me an opportunity to cut to the chase.

Is there an official form for this?

[Berta]

I think most C & P doctors would follow the Blank AMIE worksheet for his condition and might well disregard any statement like this.

“Are we allowed to do this? Do they consider it as part of the exam, or will it be dismissed? I can go with him to the exam, but the first time, the doctor clearly directed all of her questions to my husband, without giving me an opportunity to cut to the chase.

Is there an official form for this? “

No.

It seems there is something they need to clarify and scheduled this exam as it had been a deferred disability.

Maybe he should bring a brief statement regarding his treatment that he could refer to if the doctor asks him specific questions and he needs to refresh his memory.

I can appreciate you are trying to help him. But it is his claim and he is the one they want to deal with.

Some C & P docs might be receptive to info from the spouse but they are still going to follow the same guidelines we have posted here under the Blank AMIE C & P forms.

I had this problem too with my husband who had PTSD and multiple other problems.However the C & Ps he had focused solely on his disabilties and only once did a C & P doctor ask me for input.

I assume this eye disability is clearly noted in his SMRs.

He might want to bring any documentation that states he is "legally blind".to the C & P examiner unless VA already has that information.

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[beautygirlsmom]

Thank you, Berta. I think the primary reason for the do-over on this C&P is because the original doctor who examine him didn't include a Nexus statement with her history and physical notes. The injury to his eye is documented in his SMRs, however, the injury exacerbated over the years to the point of legal blindness. Which is ironic, because he was awarded 70% for PTSD, which was a direct result of the accident that cost him his vision!

He's been seeing the VA corneal and retinal specialists for two years, so his information is fairly well documented that way, but I just know that he is in there at that appointment rambling and going on and on when he's asked a question, and his answer may not in any way actually answer the question - or he's answered it in a way that you have to piece the actual answer together.

UGH!

Thanks again for your input. We may have to rethink our strategy.

[Berta]

If he is unemployed, has he applied for TDIU and also SSDI?

" Which is ironic, because he was awarded 70% for PTSD, which was a direct result of the accident that cost him his vision!"

Did he formally claim the visual disability too when he applied for SC PTSD comp?

[john999]

I think he could take in notes to help him focus on what he needs to get across to the doctor,but not a written document to hand to the exam doctor. I know that when my wife goes to the doctor she gets so nervous she forgets to discuss the main complaint. Because of this I go in with her, but the VA would not want you to coach your vet.

What is a C&P exam, anyway? It seems to me it is just an impression the doctor makes in 20 minutes. The exam doctor may review his records with care or just write something off the cuff. I often think it is the first few minutes that really count. The doctor gets a first impression of a vet as to the level of his disability quickly. The doctors at VA comp. exams used to ask me if I was hearing voices and if I was working. After those questions everything else was just boilerplate for psychological issues. With eyes there should be objective tests.

[beautygirlsmom]

He has been on Social Securty for nearly three years due to his blindness, and his original claim was for his vision loss. A VA doctor recommended he talk to the psychologist with regard to issues resulting from his vision loss, and they diagnosed him with PTSD.

We were told he can't apply for TDIU until the deferred issues (his vision) have been resolved. He does not work.

Thank you, John, for suggesting maybe just some notes to help keep him on track! That might really help!

[Chuck75]

He has been on Social Securty for nearly three years due to his blindness, and his original claim was for his vision loss. A VA doctor recommended he talk to the psychologist with regard to issues resulting from his vision loss, and they diagnosed him with PTSD.

We were told he can't apply for TDIU until the deferred issues (his vision) have been resolved. He does not work.

Thank you, John, for suggesting maybe just some notes to help keep him on track! That might really help!

"We were told he can't apply for TDIU until the deferred issues (his vision) have been resolved."

Someone gave you very bad advice.

A veteran can apply at any time for no other reason than to protect the earliest effective date.

An "informal" claim can be made by sending a "simple" letter to the VA (at least certified,return receipt.) stating the claim and so forth.

Doing so might or might not delay the existing claims process. If the underlying conditions supporting TDIU are "known" to the VA, they supposedly

are required to automatically consider it, as part of the existing claim(s) in process. Unfortunately, in the past, the VA often skipped this step.

I always wondered if the VA's failure to consider TDIU at the appropriate time might be cause for an appeal for an earlier effective date for the TDIU.