C&p' Scheduled - Round 2 Here We Go

[MarkInTexas]

Ok, here we go again. Got a call a few days back from a DRO at the Houston VARO. They are doing a de novo review of my case, and scheduled me for a series of C&P examinations, which will be my second round from the VA.

Sure enough, got a call from Veterans Evaluation Service, who advised that the VA had contracted them to do my C&P examinations and to do bloodwork. Looks I'll be heading to Houston for the examinations and Beaumont for a blood draw and CBC. (They used VES on me last time too.)

Keep in mind, I've been through a prior round of C&P examinations, but this is the first time with a CBC blood draw, and I have on file an independent medical examination and opinion report from the Ellis Clinic and an IMO from my oncologist of 17 years, along with a ton of medical records and SMRs.

We'll see how this goes. I'll keep y'all posted on what went on. Looks like I have the examination on July 18 (Saturday) and the blood draw on the 21st.

Mark

Edited July 1, 2015 by MarkInTexas

[USMC_VET]

good luck brother. sounds like you have your ducks in a row.

[MarkInTexas]

Thanks, USMC! I just hope my ducks aren't lined up for the VA's shooting gallery!

Mark

[MarkInTexas]

Well, just got back home from the C&P down in Houston. It was performed by VES (Veterans Evaluation Services) on contract by the VA. Everybody was pleasant, but the examination was done by a Nurse Practitioner, which I found odd. I guess that these are what they are using now. Hopefully, my IME/IMO from the Ellis Clinic and my IMO letter from my oncologist will help bolster or trump whatever gets cranked out.

I brought my SMR's and IME/IMO's, along with some other records just in case he didn't have access to them on his computer, but he refused and said he had all he needed on his computer. He seemed a bit agitated that I brought them, and made the comment that he had thought that the staff was supposed to be telling all of us veterans to not bring records.

He interviewed me a while, then had me take off my shirt, peform some range of motion exercises, then shoes and socks, same thing, put back on the shirt, take it off again, put it back on, and then take it back off. After the second time, I figured he was just trying to see how well I could put on my shirt and/or take it off with my arms. Same with my shoes, then more interviewing.

As I left, he made a comment that he felt he would be service connecting me for conditions with my back, legs and shoulders, but wasn't sure regarding my cancer. (I have my IMO from my medical doctor who has been my specialist oncologist for the past 17 years to hopefully rebutt any of the NP's "uncertainties". Just hope that they rely more on a licensed specialist "doctor" over that of a NP.) Also have an IMO regarding service connection on my cancer and subsequent surgeries and effects from Dr. Ellis from the Ellis Clinic. I also thought that the DRO rater would be the one making service-connection decisions based on the totality of the evidence.

I finally got dressed for the last time....there was a period when my pants were halfway down (so he could take a photo of my appendix surgery scar), my shirt off and I had one sock on and one off and he was still checking my legs....and I had to laugh a little. I must have looked pretty goofy. He also took a photo of my neck where another surgery scar is located to remove lymph nodes years ago, then made a comment that he was e-mailing it to the VA. I didn't know that the C&P guys could simply upload photos in the VA system. Who'd have thought? Or he may have just been posting on Facebook for all I know.

I left out, and made it back to my truck and headed home after that. Have to report back in next week for CBC bloodwork next. I'll keep y'all posted on what happens next. (I must confess that I waited until I got back to my truck to tuck my shirt back in, for fear that he would have made me take it off again in his office.)

Mark

Edited July 19, 2015 by MarkInTexas

[Buck52]

Good Luck Mark, hope everything goes good for ya buddy.

.................Buck

[MarkInTexas]

Thanks, Buck!

Mark

[Buck52]

Mark,

yes the VA Raters/DRO's do take in account that a specialized Dr word /opinions,better/ Over a Nurse Practitioner , usually the NP has a Dr to sign off on the C&P exams.

I had a private specialized Dr rebut a VA ENT and the DRO believed my Dr.

its hard to ask them private Dr's todo that but I took copies what the VA ENT stated and the special Dr could not believe he stated some of the things he did...luckly for me he did write me up a better IME.

so I'd say your safe.

................Buck