Disappointment C & P Exams

[rootbeer22]

Folks:

I'm sure others had the same experience and I'd like to here other stories. During the mid 80's, I was involved with a serious Tank Accident and later a Tank explosion which are covered cleary within my records. Anyway, I went in for several C & P exams at once and a APRN did the C&P exams. She made an issue about how busy she was and how she was really overworked and I got the feeling that she did not want to do it? So anyway, I sat next to her in the exam room while she worked on a computer and asked me a series questions on several different parts of my body associated with my claims. Then, once all the questions were done, she went back and physically examined me and added those entries later into the exam portions of the computer checlist. Later, I could see that she was mixing my comments up and added a few comments to the wrong C & Ps. For instance some of the comments related to my back where added to my neck and vice-versa? I noticed in particular that the range of motions for my back and neck was off as compared to previous other medical exams in my files. My understanding is that when you bend something during the exam that you stop at the point of the pain? Anyway, I brought up the issue and she said, "don't worry, the claims raters look at your whole file, so you'll be fine anyway?" Later, I communicated with her boss and he said I could go through the NOD process. Unfortunately, it would have delayed the FDC process even further and I do have very good evidence and medical records. Frankly, I was diappointed beause they could have just fixed the errors but would not? Afterwards my GP and Pain Specialists ordered new MRI and CT Scans that confirmed the back diagnosis correctly again. Anyway, I have not been able to fully bend over for 25 years? Overall, I'm pretty sure my claim will be fine but I was really disappointed that "our system" would allow for this type of event to happen to a Vet? Frankly, we have to be able to trust that exams will be by the book and done correctly. Recently, I was thinking that there are a lot of folks out there are not getting accurrate exams?

[Notorious Kelly]

I'm surprised the the continual errors in both my medical records and VA exams. The biggest problem I have is that they may be considered Gospel when we never sign off on them attesting to their accuracy.

It looks like they go in later and guess at answers or put in whatever they want rather than ask us some of those actual questions.

Just part of the travesty.

If you see troubling errors and/or omissions, you can fill out a VBA 21-4138 http://www.va.gov/vaforms/form_detail.asp?FormNo=21-4138 detailing these issues and send it to your VARO.

Be careful to do it in legalese and not opinion.

good luck!

[rootbeer22]

Notorious Kelly:

Thanks for your comments. I know that it's important to remain positive and patient with this overall process. I know that the VBA folks are under a lot of pressure and are trying to do a good job, I can imagine that they have very heavy work loads? At least for me, I would just like to see that if they need more resouces to get the job done that they get those resources so that the vets can get their just due with this. Anyway, I made an appointment to go down to the regional office to look at my C-file submission so I'll at least know that VBA has what I submitted? I 've heard a lot of stories about missing records, documents and issues like that. The advice actually came from one of the Hadit.com Forums so others have done the same. The good news is that if something is missing, I will be able to have an opportunity to fix it now so it does not become a problem done the road?

[killemall]

Good luck.....yea it amazes me how they dont seem to even look at your file till you walk in the room. Luckily I bring my own records. Some will look at them and some wont

[Navy04]

Sorry to hear of your troubles bud. God Bless and we are always here if you want to Vent!!!