C&p Exams 9/23 At Ves Clinic/i Am A Nervous Wreck!

[Navy04]

Good Morning Vets,

Next Tuesday I have my C&Ps at a VES Clinic, atleast that is what they called it. I am such a wreck because as you guys all know, we either draw the Civilians that respect the Military, or the Docs that think that all Vets should suck it up and stop using the Govt for "Free Money". I don't know what to think yet, as I have not had C&Ps with anyone other then the VAs. The guy that called me to make appointment, said that the Doc doing the exam is actually a General PA or NP, and I am not a fan of either as they are usually not experts in any field of Medicine. They also said that they have access to all my VA and Navy Records, but I am going to go ahead and get all my paperwork together this week, just in case. I know that I am always here to support all you guys, but boy after 2 Claims and over 15 C&P Exams already, the exams sure don't get any easier. Thanks for listening to me this morning, and God Bless.

[georgiapapa]

I agree with you about the PAs and NPs. They are ok for handling routine clinical exams but they should not be used for something as important as our C & P exams. Saving money is more important to the VA than whether a veteran receives a thorough and competent C & P exam. You should definitely have your medical records with you because it makes it more difficult for the PA or NP to render an opinion different from the info in your records.

Good luck and give us a follow up post on how the exams were conducted.

[carlie]

Good Morning Vets,

Next Tuesday I have my C&Ps at a VES Clinic, atleast that is what they called it. I am such a wreck because as you guys all know, we either draw the Civilians that respect the Military, or the Docs that think that all Vets should suck it up and stop using the Govt for "Free Money". I don't know what to think yet, as I have not had C&Ps with anyone other then the VAs. The guy that called me to make appointment, said that the Doc doing the exam is actually a General PA or NP, and I am not a fan of either as they are usually not experts in any field of Medicine. They also said that they have access to all my VA and Navy Records, but I am going to go ahead and get all my paperwork together this week, just in case. I know that I am always here to support all you guys, but boy after 2 Claims and over 15 C&P Exams already, the exams sure don't get any easier. Thanks for listening to me this morning, and God Bless.

Personally, I would only take what is pertinent to my C&P issue and limit it

to 25 pages or less of copies. The examiner does not have to accept it but

in most cases they will, just say something like - I brought these to leave with you because

I don't think they are in my records.

[Notorious Kelly]

Hang tough, US VET - hope you get some good ones.

Seems like using an N P for C&Ps would be good grounds for appeal but, since the VA holds all the cards................

We need to keep raising hell to lift the curtain on this evil wizard and change the sham system.

[Navy04]

Thanks for the support guys, and Carlie you are very right. I am only going to take my recent MRIs on the Joints, a copy of my Navy Medical Record that shows that I was treated for these while Active, and the Notes from the Chiro Doc that diagnosed the DDD, DJD and have current whole in Spine. I hope it goes well too, I am not too crazy about any of these exams. I will update when I get back next Tuesday.

[NavyWife]

Good luck!

Hubby had 1 exam with an outside contractor and the guy had NO CLUE what he was doing. And because it was an outside contractor I still have not been able to get a copy of the exam to see what he wrote down.

It really is a crap shoot and I hope you get lucky to get a good medical professional. Personally, I don't think it's too bad to have a nurse practitioner or a physicians assistant- as long as they know what they are doing. Hubby had a different exam with a NP and she was extremely professional, wrote down exactly what he said and spent all the time we wanted talking about his disabilities. So I think it depends more on the person, than on their credentials.

We took a single page, typed, of his history, medications and current symptoms and handed to the examiner. In one case, the examiner accepted it and was happy to have it to refer to. In the 2nd case the examiner refused the paper at the beginning of the exam, but as we were leaving, asked to have a copy of it.

Keep us posted and try not to get too stressed out!

[lotzaspotz]

And make sure you can eyeball your claims file in the room. Otherwise, the examination is flawed. If you don't see it, ask the examiner to confirm that he/she has reviewed it, and I would politely ask where it is physically located.

[georgiapapa]

The NPs in my last two C & P exams stated they were not provided with my claims file and both said they did not need the claims file. All of the questions related to my exams were on a questionnaire on the NP's computers. I had my own copies of my relevant medical records with me which were used by the NPs to complete their questionnaires. Although I was successful with both claims, I am not sure I would have been if the NPs had not reviewed the medical records I brought to the exams.

[Navy04]

Thanks Georgia, that is why I am taking my record with me, even if it does weigh 10lbs, Lol. My wife will be with me, so I think it should be alright.

[georgiapapa]

Good luck to you US VET.

You will do fine.

[carlie]

Good Morning Vets,

Next Tuesday I have my C&Ps at a VES Clinic, atleast that is what they called it. I am such a wreck because as you guys all know, we either draw the Civilians that respect the Military, or the Docs that think that all Vets should suck it up and stop using the Govt for "Free Money". I don't know what to think yet, as I have not had C&Ps with anyone other then the VAs. The guy that called me to make appointment, said that the Doc doing the exam is actually a General PA or NP, and I am not a fan of either as they are usually not experts in any field of Medicine. They also said that they have access to all my VA and Navy Records, but I am going to go ahead and get all my paperwork together this week, just in case. I know that I am always here to support all you guys, but boy after 2 Claims and over 15 C&P Exams already, the exams sure don't get any easier. Thanks for listening to me this morning, and God Bless.

Good luck tomorrow USVET

[Mikemmlj]

What Carlie said.

[Navy04]

It is sad how most days I cant remember important stuff about my family, yet remember all the bad things that have happened over the last 10 years. Thank you guys very much for remembering to wish me good luck tomorrow, it truly means more than you could imagine.

[Notorious Kelly]

We're rootin for ya VET!

[eagle1012004]

Good luck US VET!!!

[carlie]

Good Morning Vets,

Next Tuesday I have my C&Ps at a VES Clinic, atleast that is what they called it. I am such a wreck because as you guys all know, we either draw the Civilians that respect the Military, or the Docs that think that all Vets should suck it up and stop using the Govt for "Free Money". I don't know what to think yet, as I have not had C&Ps with anyone other then the VAs. The guy that called me to make appointment, said that the Doc doing the exam is actually a General PA or NP, and I am not a fan of either as they are usually not experts in any field of Medicine. They also said that they have access to all my VA and Navy Records, but I am going to go ahead and get all my paperwork together this week, just in case. I know that I am always here to support all you guys, but boy after 2 Claims and over 15 C&P Exams already, the exams sure don't get any easier. Thanks for listening to me this morning, and God Bless.

US,

Keep in mind that not all C&P exams are instructed to review the veterans file/ smr's/ str's.

They only get reviewed if the vba decision maker requests them to do so.

[Navy04]

Good Afternoon,

Just made it back from the Exam. Don't know what to think, it was a General Medicine MD. He was a AF Vietnam Vet, and quite. At first he did not want to see my records that I brought with me. Guess what, he then wanted them as he said that he was not able to receive or view my Navy or VA records, no surprise there. I was in there for an hour and a half, which would not have been to bad except that I was in my boxers in a really cold room. He chit chatted alittle here and there, but really did not say much. It seemed that he was mostly answering the Check List questions on what appeared to be a mini laptop or tablet. Then he measured both knees, shoulder and back ROM. That was it, not much said and he shook my hand and told me to have a nice day. My wife came into the room to drop off my Records and help me remove the Metal braces that I wear, but she does not like to stay when I actually have my exams, it makes her angry to talk about the Military stuff. As I said I don't know what to think about the Exams, except that they seemed better than worse. I will update when I get my exam reports, which I am not for sure since the exams were thru a VES clinic. Thanks again

[Notorious Kelly]

Seems like your paperwork will be given greater weight if it's all he has; good job bringing it.

Glad you got this under your belt, US VET, and good luck!

[georgiapapa]

Hopefully you will get a good report supporting your claims.

Good luck my friend.

[Navy04]

I don't know what to think. So I just checked my status on Ebennies and it says Prep for Decision. Is this good or bad, I just had my C&Ps on Tues. I have never seen a claim go from Gathering of Evidence to Prep in two days. What do you guys think? I had C&Ps for Sinusitis, Both Knees, R Shoulder and Back. My Neuro Doc submitted a DBQ for Migraine/TBI increase which I think will go up to 50%. I had no exam for my Asthma claim, but the Doc the other day did verify my Oxygen Test and that I use an Inhaler. I am so used to helping other Vets on their claims, I always seem to be so negative and nervous when it comes to my claims.

[WVSERVER]

At this point I always expect the unexpected. My current one went from under review to prep for decision back to gathering of evidence in a 3 day period after my C&P. It used to get me down but at this point I expect it. Hang in there I am sure it will be favorable.