? About C&p

[sbrewer]

When you have a C&P, your c-file is also read, correct?

To bring you up to speed-my husband put in a claim for mental increase and went from 10 to 50 within about 2 months. He also filed an 1151 for his toe. It was denied and appealed. He was then sent for the C&P for the toe. He never got a copy of the mental C&P, but did get the toe C&P. In the toe C&P under general remarks, the dr. notes "I also noted his long history of severe depression with suicide attempts".

Question- Should he had gotten 70% instead of 50% (I do know that his GAF on mental c&p was 53)

if so, should he appeal this decision and how long do you have before it's too late to appeal?

I read somewhere that the GAF wasn't everthing that they go by and was just wondering about that statement which I assume is in the C-File.

thanks,

sbrewer

Edited August 10, 2006 by sbrewer

[olenavygoat]

When you go to a C & P you stop at the front desk and let them know you have the appointment. They'll have your medical records and notes in a bag with a lock. As his GAF is 53 and his symptoms appear to be severe they may rate him higher if he's totally honest about all he is experiencing. And yes, they are to consider them equally not just rely on the GAF. If you two feel his condition warrants it I would certainly shoot in a notice of disagreement to their decision.

[john999]

I don't think the C&P doctors read everything in the C-file. I think they just read the medical history in general terms. I think you are lucky if they even know your name 5 minutes before the exam. With a long history of severe depression and suicide attempts if the vet is still in the same shape he should be getting 100% benefits. If he is not working then TDIU for sure.

[evandc]

If you read C & P Procedure the doctor is suppose to spend time looking over your C-File, claim or whatever

else they have on you before you even walk into the room.

In 2001 I was called to Augusta, GA for a C & P for increase in PTSD (50%) at that time. I had a large folder just in case the shrink need anything. First thing she says "What do you have in your folder?" I asked her what she had on me. She said nothing but this sheet of paper. That was a piece of paper for her to make notes. I have a C-File in Columbia, SC VARO, it didn't make it to Augusta, GA for my C & P. This was all real strange because I had all the other C & P's (6 I think) at Dorn Medical Center, just six or eight miles from the VARO. I started getting ready to attack the C & P & just waited to get my trun down. I was so pissed I didn"t ask for Travel Pay, walked out & didn't speak to my Wife for 10 minutes. Then all I said to my Wife was I really got screwed & didn't get any sugar.

Some months later I got the dreaded letter from VARO. I had increase to 70%. Of course, the delay was because the Augusta VMAC hadn't returned my records (same ones the Shrink didn't have) to the Columbia VARO.

So in this case I guess what she didn't know, didn't hurt me.

Don Evans

[Patrick428]

Having done my share of mental health C and Ps, when a veteran comes in for his or her C and P the C-file pertaining to that specific claim is read. A doctor will not read the entire file, but will make a determination based on the present claim that is under review. Usually the top sheet in a C and P is a record of compensation (if the veterans has compensation), and a document prepared by the rating team for the doctor to review and formulate the questiones needed for the rating. Same holds true with a medical exam. Only those things claimed will be examined. A doctor is not allowed to venture off into discussing your your back pain, if your claim is about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A veteran can usually get a copy of his C and P approximately 7 to 10 days after it was performed. If there is information left out or if information appears not to be accurate, it is the responsibility of the veteran to write, present evidence, or other information relevant to that particular claim. Send it into the VARO explaining in concise terms the issue. Or you can wait for the rating decision to be made and file either a reconsideration based on new evidence, or file an NOD.

Patrick

[Guest allanopie]

>If you read C & P Procedure the doctor is suppose to spend time looking over your C-File, claim or whatever

else they have on you before you even walk into the room.

I can wait a yr for a Neurology appointment & a well known neurologist the VA has on staff makes absolutely no attempt to view any prior medical history. Unless someone of Dr Bashes expertice takes the time to examine your medical records theroughly, the RO's and these paid staff medical consultants can play you for yrs.

I have two VA C&P medical opinions, that almost quote prior DRO SOC's, as the bases for their denials. They simply change a word or so & make little attempt to cover their copying of prior statements.

One, stated in her denial, that the "Veteran had no prior medical complaints until the 90's", as the bases for denial. A more resent one the VA obtained to shoot down Dr Bashes IMO, used the term, "Veteran had no prior complaints until the 70's". I was separated in 1971. There are ratable complaints noted on my separation examination sheet, I don't believe the VA will ever recognize.