C & P Exam Question

[TLaff]

I have been diagnosed with Major Depression due to Chronic Pain dut to my secrvice connected several back pain problems. The Doc that daignosed me seen me for over a year with a Gaf of 45-50 and recently got promoted and gave me to another VA Doc in which has stated the same thing and gives me a Gaf or 45-50. After two years of claims they have scheduled me for a C & P Exam for depression, why would i get a C & P Exam if i see the VA Doc every month or two? If another Doc gives me anything other than the other two VA Doc's wouldnt it make it look like they are trying to screw me?

T

[harleyman]

Right now being able to get a scheduled C&P examination is good.

It appears your VA Medical Records were reviewed by the VSRs or RVSRs at your Regional Office of Jurisdiction (ROJ). The records probably showed your treatment and probably a "working" diagnosis. Now days at the RO, in order to rate mental health conditions the diagnosis must be provided by either a licensed M.D. or Psychologist, PHD, for rating purposes.

Also, there needs to be a completed DBQ Mental Health examination with an official medical opinion, which will provide a nexus or link between your current Service connected conditions and your depression as a secondary condition. Without the opinion from the examiner stating your depression is due to you S/C conditions, you will not be service connected for secondary depression.

Having treatment on record and having your treating medical providers documenting in your medical file at the VAMC, and suppporting your depression as secondary to your S/C conditions, is a real positive situation for you. Go to your exam and be honest. If the examiner asks you how you are doing, don't just say "fine". Tell the examiner how you are really doing. Don't be macho and try to down play things you find difficult. Good luck, If your medical records are what you say they are, and contain what you say they do as far as evidence goes, you will be fine.

Edited July 14, 2013 by harleyman

[TLaff]

Right now being able to get a scheduled C&P examination is good.

It appears your VA Medical Records were reviewed by the VSRs or RVSRs at your Regional Office of Jurisdiction (ROJ). The records probably showed your treatment and probably a "working" diagnosis. Now days at the RO, in order to rate mental health conditions the diagnosis must be provided by either a licensed M.D. or Psychologist, PHD, for rating purposes.

Also, there needs to be a completed DBQ Mental Health examination with an official medical opinion, which will provide a nexus or link between your current Service connected conditions and your depression as a secondary condition. Without the opinion from the examiner stating your depression is due to you S/C conditions, you will not be service connected for secondary depression.

Having treatment on record and having your treating medical providers documenting in your medical file at the VAMC, and suppporting your depression as secondary to your S/C conditions, is a real positive situation for you. Go to your exam and be honest. If the examiner asks you how you are doing, don't just say "fine". Tell the examiner how you are really doing. Don't be macho and try to down play things you find difficult. Good luck, If your medical records are what you say they are, and contain what you say they do as far as evidence goes, you will be fine.

Should i bring with me copies of medical reports from the VA mental health Doc's and list of Med's ? or will they see it in their PC?

[carlie]

I have been diagnosed with Major Depression due to Chronic Pain dut to my secrvice connected several back pain problems. The Doc that daignosed me seen me for over a year with a Gaf of 45-50 and recently got promoted and gave me to another VA Doc in which has stated the same thing and gives me a Gaf or 45-50. After two years of claims they have scheduled me for a C & P Exam for depression, why would i get a C & P Exam if i see the VA Doc every month or two? If another Doc gives me anything other than the other two VA Doc's wouldnt it make it look like they are trying to screw me?

T

No not necessarily - just go attend the C&P exam

[harleyman]

TLAFF asked - Should i bring with me copies of medical reports from the VA mental health Doc's and list of Med's ? or will they see it in their PC?

CARLIE responded - not necessarily - just go attend the C&P exam

Carlie is absolutely correct. Just go to the appointment. And be honest in your answers to any questions. Really, don't stress about this. The examiners have access to any of your records they want. Usually, they have the paper file ( RO's still send your c-file for those who are not 100% in the paperless system.) However; if you are in the paperless system VBMS, your information is just a click away. Most examiniers take notes and document the exam with you in the room. After you leave or later in the day, week, month, they actually write their report. They have exam time and they have report writing time. Generally speaking they have 30 days to submit the report of findings, if there is no further testing done, like x-rays, MRIs, lab tests, etc If they are waiting for reports for any of those , it may take longer for them to send their report.

Edited July 15, 2013 by harleyman

[OSC]

Carlie is 99.99999% ++++ correct on the responses given in the past and I have relied upon her info on multiple occasions, but I have to disagree in this case.

I would not have been able to have a favorable C&P done if I hadn't brought in my notes and files of my case.

I believe that if the OP has any notes about his case he should bring them to the C&P to assist his answers if needed, with the doctor's questioning.

OSC

Edited July 16, 2013 by OSC

[harleyman]

Most or should I say alot of the examiners will not accept your hand carried records because they are suppose to review your records before they examine you. So when a Veteran brings records that have not been seen by the VA, it can change the type of request the examiner is suppost to be performing. I still recommend you send all your eveidence to the RO, so they have it and the doctor can review it before the exam.

It is very disheartening to have the examiner refuse the documents, and it is their perogative to do so.

This is one of those situations where it is up to the Veteran, and how he feels about the upcoming appt. and if he can handle rejection if the doctor will not take the records. Kudo's to the doctor that does, but most VA doc's won't.