Varo/remand/2Nd C&p Administrative Exam

[Ryguy]

So here's the short of my story. I am service connected for lower back issues, but my appeal for upper back/neck issues was remanded back to my local varo.

I had a c&p exam on Jan 9, 2015 with a physician assistant, she addressed all the issues in her report, which basically said I never complained about upper back and neck issues until 4+ years after the accident, the examiner DIDN'T meet the request of the Bva of stating whether this upper back/neck issue is secondary to my lower back issues.

Two weeks ago i received a c&p exam appt letter stating I need another exam, once I spoke to compensation and pension and my va rep. I was told this appt is one that I'm not needed at, and that this was an administrative appt. for opinion/clarification only in regards to my claim and the veteran isn't needed for this. Also compensation and pension said this letter was sent to me in error

Has anyone ever heard of this ??

Edited March 3, 2015 by Ryguy

[FLTMEDOPS]

I had a c&p exam with a physician assistant and the same thing happened to me. The examiner basically DIDN'T do what the Bva asked them to do. GIVE AN OPINION ON IF THE ISSUES ARE SECONDARY OR NOT. Because you already had an exam, all that is needed is an opinion from C & P for the Rating team. This is what happened in my case and I got secondary service connection a few months later.

[Ryguy]

Ohhh wow , congrats on secondary , this makes me feela little hopeful with my situation

[Gastone]

Just me, if I got the VA Letter and theres an appointment to discuss my recent C&P, I'd be there. Just because your active participation isn't mandatory would mean nothing to me. I would want to be in attendance, if only to hear whats addressed. I'm sure it would go faster without you there to listen and obsrve if anyone steps on their Johnson. Your Claim, Your Decision.

Semper Fi

Gastone

[Ryguy]

Thanks Gastone, so basically it's my right to be there ?

[Navy04]

Doesn't sound like a bad thing, but as stated above, I would go. Better for them to tell you to go home and not needed, then the VA try to lowball you again. Good luck

[FormerMember]

The "conference" of which you speak will be between three people- the VSR, who is the assigned rater and his coach will be there to represent the VA. The PA will represent the medical side of the equation. You are not invited and would never be allowed to sit in on this. Even if you were represented by a VSO or Attorney, neither would be allowed to "sit in". Many things will be said and the word "deny" will be mentioned frequently. It will befall the PA to stand fast and say "it is at least as likely as not that it's secondary or part of the LBP" or sign up for the bonus and say "not at least as likely as not". The VA Slot machine pays out, on average, 15% of the time.

This is an internal C&P that is often remote as in teleconference. The PA can be in Pittsburg with you and the raters could be in Sioux Falls where they farmed it out to. Or even raters at the AMC in DC. VA is global now. It will result in a grant and a rating or it will result in an SSOC and go back to DC to the BVA and join the queue(again). Best of luck sir.