Argggg I Dont Believe This. Oh So Close Now So Far.

[SpcDearman]

I just happened to recieve a call last week to go into my local VA and speak with my PCP. I was thinking that this is a normal yearly check up. Lo and behold I am referred to another PCP due to my previous starting his own practice. I was notified that I have yet another Orthopedic eval In September. Yep folks looks like phase one of my shoulder (both) surgery will be proceding in the next month or two. The frustrating thing is that it just went back into review about 2 weeks ago. The other frustrating thing is that I can GUARANTEE that now my claim will really be delayed. Here I was thinking that I was seeing that green rainbow and now its moving further away. Thanks for the venting session. Now, can someone that has had scapula surgery advise me of maybe what i will be going through rehab and pain wise? Will this convalescent period be compensatable (word?) if I am down. It looks like 6 weeks mimimum. Now that this is going to be planned, will the doctors sign FMLA paperwork? Thanks guys.

[USMC5811]

SpcDearman that's a good idea to only look at ebenefits once a month or once a week - I look once a week unless I sent something into VA. It's been much better for me, stress wise then when I was looking at it daily.

Like I said mine went back 2 weeks ago from Review of Evidence (where it had sat for 5 months - C&P's already done) to gathering evidence. This morning I checked and now I'm at Review of Evidence again. I know why mine went back for two weeks to Gathering Evidence = I sent them a rebuttle to a C&P that was done. I had obtained a copy of the C&P exams from VA about a month ago ....read over them...disagreed with a few of the C&P examiners(who were listed as a General DO) remarks. Had specialists in their fields fill out a DBQ - then sent those in to VA along with the specialists background to rebut the . VA received the paperwork I sent and that day...it went back to gathering of evidence.

I look at movement of any kind as a good thing.....at least I know my file has not been lost yet:) If they moved yours back because of the possibility of surgery or because of the consult with Ortho...I would look at it as a good thing. Hopefully they get it right the first time, so you don't have to go through the appeals process. It would not hurt anything to carry along a DBQ when you go to Ortho and see if that doc will fill it out for you...worst he could say is no.

[SpcDearman]

Thank you for the advice sir. I really appreciate it. What is a DBQ sir.

[USMC5811]

Your welcome.

DBQ = Disability Benefit Questionairre. You can find DBQ's for most contentions and read about what they actually are here: http://benefits.va.g...isabilityexams/

The DBQ's are for the most part the same thing that are filled out in a C&P exam. The difference is...in a C&P exam you don't usually get a specialist ie., ortho, derm etc - most C&P are done by a general practitioner - so sometimes it is beneficial, if your going to a specialist in their field, to have them fill a DBQ for you. I provided a self-addressed envelope with the proper postage to each of the specialists....so they did not have to rush to complete or set their other appointments behind to fill out some of the info....then they mailed them to me.

Edited August 24, 2012 by USMC5811

[SpcDearman]

That is great reading. I am going to delve into this more once I get home this weekend. Can you answer one more for me please. I know its just your opinion but is it ok for me now to ask for a copy of my c&p results since I am back at gathering evidence? I really want to see what my c&p docs put down due to using no equipment on me to examine me. Will this request take it even furher back? Once again, this info below is a great read,

[USMC5811]

Yes, you can request a copy of your C&P results. In regards to whether it will send you further back...I can only speak for what I personally saw in regards to this via ebenefits as my claim has not been decided yet. When I requested a copy it took a total of 7 days from the date I mailed it to the date I received all the copies. Remember each VARO is different, so it could take longer or shorter for you to receive yours. It did show on up on ebenefits as a Privacy Act Request for Information opened and closed on the same date = the date I believe they mailed the copies. As far as ebenefits...... it did not go backwards in regards to the claim completion process/status. I believe it was Berta and Carlie (elders on hadit.com) that suggested that I obtain copies. I am sooooo glad I did and appreciate their suggestion.

I believe I also read a comment where one of the elders stated that not using the proper equipment to measure ROM is not, in itself, a way to get the rater to change their decision to a higher rating etc. It was suggested that you get a doctor (here's where I think it might do you some good to bring a DBQ with you to your ortho appointment) to do one so that you DO have documentation as to what ARE the correct measurements so that the rater will see this. IF your PCP does one also, all the better.

Below is the letter that I sent requesting a copy of my C&P (and my husbands C&P results): Note: I left the address to our VARO on the example, of course you would put in the address of your own VARO. Hope this helps you.

Date

Winston-Salem Regional Office

Federal Bldg

251 N. Main Street

Winston-Salem, NC 27155

RE: Request of copies of all C&P exams/reports – Privacy Act, 5, USC, 552a

To Whom It May Concern,

This is a request under the Privacy Act, 5, USC, 552a for copies of all C&P Exams/reports pertaining to my current Compensation Claim.

In an effort to assist with your search for these records, I am providing the following additional information about myself:

Name:

Service Number:

DOB:

If you deny this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of appeal procedures available to me under the law.

Thank you for consideration of my request.

Vet’s Name

Vet’s Address

Our C&P's were done by QTC (outside contractor) so of course you have to wait until the VA receives them (which was posted on ebenefits for us when they actually received them) to ask for copies. Some vets who have had their C&P's done by a VA Hospital were able to receive a copy directly from the Hospital after signing some Privacy Act paperwork.

Edited August 24, 2012 by USMC5811

[SpcDearman]

ma'am you are awesome. I am going to do this and let you guys know what happens.