Have C&p Aug 1St And Told It Would Be Thru A Camera

[vet201060]

Anyone have a C&P exam for mental disability over a camera at a VAMC? I am very nervous about this and I am worried about getting reduced. Do I need to stop taking meds so they see the real me? How can they judge me off of one appointment! Any help would be appreciated.

[john999]

That is a crazy idea. If they did that to me in the middle of the exam I would start banging my head against the floor or something. Are you asking for an increase? You are 80% so have you applied for TDIU? I do not believe the VA can reduce you based on just one exam. They might try. Usually, the VA has to show a marked improvement considering your entire record. If you were 100% or TDIU for at least 5 years or over age 55 I know you have extra protection against reductions.

To be honest I would protest this idea of doing your exam over a camera. Go see your congressman or call the VA IG. Doing a complete mental exam involves noting the person's personal habits, smell, clothing condition. The doctor needs to press the flesh. When is this exam going to happen?

John

[vet201060]

Exam is Aug 1st and I am currently employed. I was admitted to psych ward twice this year alone. Meds are helping me including the pain meds. I called and asked them if I should stop taking my meds since they might reduce me. Waiting for a call back. I actually have a high paying government job that has worked with me or I would have been out the door. I thought I wasnt gonna make it and be unemployed. Now I want to keep working if possible so I dont go insane at home. Even tho I do have an attendance issue and withdraw from people and cant function. I dont know how long I will be able to continue working but that is what I want to do. I am very nervous about this appointment. They are doing a recheck to see if I should be reduced. It was in ebenefits that I was scheduled for a reduction sometime in 2015. So I got anxious and was on pain meds and ambien and submitted a claim for unemployability because I thought I was gonna lose my job. I wasnt going to work and they talked to me about plans to let me go. I have four kids and a wife that has stayed with me even tho she shouldnt. I need some advice on where to go from here. Thanks for the response!

[Navy04]

I know it is hard, but no need to be so nervous bud. You are not going to be cured before the Exam, and just be truthful. Don't stop the Meds, Just tell the Doc about your Good days and bad days. No need to overdo it, they know that you have been in the Psych Ward, and take all the meds. God Bless and good luck. Keep us posted

[vet201060]

Thanks Navy04, I am taking so many pills that I have to have a container with the days of the week and they are full and that is not counting the meds like hydrocodone, robaxin, and ibuprofen. I am only in my mid 30's! Sometimes I forget to put one in there and if screws me up. There are days when I feel pretty good and fortunate. I am just worried that if I say the wrong thing that I will those my benefits and my family will suffer.

The VAMC that I go to has a problem keeping psychiatrist. I have had many different ones and at the moment I dont have one. He resigned due to all the scandalous things the VA does and also the lack of care for Vets and the case load is too much. The VA needs to get more funding for care of Vets!

[Gastone]

Is C & P due to increase request on your part? Even though your currently working, appears you may have employment issues possibly caused or aggravated by your PTSD. If you have already filed for IU, don't pull the claim. You may be working when you really shouldn't be. You want to keep the IU claim alive. They turned me down in 2012 from a IU inferred claim from 2011 PTSD 70% award, Awarded IU at DRO Hearing 6/27/14.

Don't or better yet, do sweat the Video C & P. That will show them the real you. Per VA 38 CFR's, only a PTSD Psychiatrist or A PHD Psychologist can administer the PTSD C & P. If it doesn't go your way, Appeal with A DRO Review with personal hearing request.

Semper Fi

Gastone

[NavyWife]

I'm with Gastone, I don't think you should withdraw the TDIU application. If it gets denied because you are working then so be it. But who knows what may happen during the time it takes them to process it.