Spouse Opinion

[Guest jstacy]

In regards to VA claims, If your spouse is a Certified medical professional, How much weight does their opinion carry when dealing with the VA. The length of marriage is before I entered active Service.

Thanks in advance for the replys.

[Former Member]

John-I read just last night -in the VBM- that a spouse can give a professional medical opinion if they have the credentials and expertise and VA is supposed to consider it.It certainly would have to beconsidered as competent medical evidence.

I was reluctant to do this. My ex husband is a nurse and certainly offered to review Rod's med recs for me and to give an opinion to the VA.

But they know he is my ex husband and I just felt they would ignore his IMO.

And -as a nurse- he could give only a limited opinion-and not a clear diagnosis.

I sure would hope they would consider any opinion from your wife however-

if she supports the opinion with rationale and her expertise in the field, it sure would be probative evidence they would have to consider.

[Ricky]

Berta is completely right. Her opinion, if she is certified and backs it with rational based upon current accepted medical thinking would be probative. Maybe not at the RO level but at the BVA level. Most RO's do not accept or use IMO's issued by medical specalist in any field. We have to wait on the BVA before our medical IMO's are considered.

[Guest jstacy]

Thanks Berta and Ricky, I will get her to do it, I just didnt want to waste my time of which the ro already has wasted enough of.

Man it is really hard to type without the use of your thumb and forefinger.

Edited October 2, 2006 by jstacy (see edit history)

[Pete53]

I think that the spouse's opinion is important and I would include sposes who do not have credentials. No onw can tell it like a spouse. Sometimes it hurts when you hear how your loved ones look at you but as many say they see us better than we see ourselves.

[john999]

Peter

I had my spouse testify at my DRO Hearing. She really let them know how bad my foot and hand problems via the periphearl neuropathy were affecting me. I only got 10% for each limb but to get more you have to really be in pretty bad shape the way I read it. I think you would almost have to be in a wheelchair. I had my brother write a letter for me as well. The VA has screwed everyone of us out of years of compensation this I know.

John

[Guest terrysturgis]

John999, My percentages are as follows:

DMII 40%

PN lower right 40%

PN lower left 40%

PN upper right 30%

PN upper left 20%

I would imagine your movements are as bad as mine are just monotoring your post but there is sure a major diffrence in our ratings. A lot of the exam for PN consisted of range of motion. Good news (Or bad news, depending how you look at it) we are both 100% P&T. If you make me mad stay away from my left hand.

Back on topic my wife's letter was a great asset to my claim. And I agree some of the things she wrote were a little hard for me as the head of the household to swallow. Terry Sturgis

[john999]

Terry

I have pretty good ROM but I have pain which just makes me want to stay home and not attempt anything where I might be vulnerable to being without a way to sit in my lazyboy and relax the muscles and get off my feet. I was thinking about you when I talked about the PN but did not think you were in a wheelchair. I know the PN is just no joke.

[Guest terrysturgis]

John, no I'm not in a wheelchair YET. Hope to avoide it for quite a while as I do try to get in a walk in every other day.

Like others on this board I had a crappy day today for what ever reason. When someone ask me "how's it going"? I answer " I'm hanging in there". Best we can do. Take care. Terry S

[john999]

Terry

We above all others have to keep walking and using our limbs. Even if it hurts.

John