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My CPE Exam

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briandalegm

By briandalegm
in Success Stories

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briandalegm Apprentice

briandalegm

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OK - I went to my CPE Exam yesterday (at Iowa VA). First - the examination wasn't conducted by a Physician but a Physician Assistant...whatever. At least he was a 32 year retired Vet! However - I put on this 'gown' and then laid back on the table so that my ankle and two knees could be inspected. As hard as it is to believe and based on the extensive nature of my claim in these three areas, this part of the exam took less than 30 seconds. The guy then said HE would be charged with rating my injuries. Should I be concerned?

Next - for some reason - I had the ORIGINAL copies of my separation exam from 1994. It wasn't in my file I guess. I offered them up and the examiner took them although they were a part of the FDC process. These documents support some of my claim anyway.

Now for the big issue - the Iowa VA said they have no 'eye examiner' provider at this point so no appointment was scheduled by the regional office. This was frustrating that I drove so far and couldn't get this portion of my exam done. Thoughts?

I've read that often-times unless there is some form of traumatic eye injury, this claim my be rated at 0% due to aging. However; I think my case is a bit different in that I had 20/20 vision when entering the military and just a year later, I required glasses and were thus issued in service. Any ratings speculation would be appreciated.

Last - my PTSD (like eye exam) wasn't ordered by the Regional Office either. Does PTSD exams take longer to complete or something? Will a rating decision be given without these two exams?

Although a bit before my time - I want to say a special thank you to Vietnam Vets for your service! They seem to be the dominate population at the VA Hospital while I was there. 

Go FAST, Go HARD, Go Long.....or GO HOME!

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USMC_VET

Posted
Posted

OK - I went to my CPE Exam yesterday (at Iowa VA). First - the examination wasn't conducted by a Physician but a Physician Assistant...whatever. At least he was a 32 year retired Vet! However - I put on this 'gown' and then laid back on the table so that my ankle and two knees could be inspected. As hard as it is to believe and based on the extensive nature of my claim in these three areas, this part of the exam took less than 30 seconds. The guy then said HE would be charged with rating my injuries. Should I be concerned?

he is full of it, a examiner does not rate, even if he wanted to, they merely say what they see.  they can opine on service connection and their notes from the exam will be par tof what the RATER (the person who actually rates a claim) uses to match up with compensable symptoms according to the 38 cfr.  

Next - for some reason - I had the ORIGINAL copies of my separation exam from 1994. It wasn't in my file I guess. I offered them up and the examiner took them although they were a part of the FDC process. These documents support some of my claim anyway.

I hope that you did not hand him the original copies.  Never ever ever ever give original copies to the VA, only copys.  In the future when you want to submit evidence, the examiner is not the way to to do it.  You can give them copies to help them write up their report better. but all evidence should be submitted online or through your claims intake center.   giving it to an examiner may or MAY NOT end up in your file.  If you did hand them the original I would call and try and get it back.

Now for the big issue - the Iowa VA said they have no 'eye examiner' provider at this point so no appointment was scheduled by the regional office. This was frustrating that I drove so far and couldn't get this portion of my exam done. Thoughts?

They dont have to provide a C&P to rate, however they often do.  If i were you i would get a IME from a local board certified specialist.  the VA can rate off an IME and provided DBQ.

I've read that often-times unless there is some form of traumatic eye injury, this claim my be rated at 0% due to aging. However; I think my case is a bit different in that I had 20/20 vision when entering the military and just a year later, I required glasses and were thus issued in service. Any ratings speculation would be appreciated.

Last - my PTSD (like eye exam) wasn't ordered by the Regional Office either. Does PTSD exams take longer to complete or something? Will a rating decision be given without these two exams?

Have you had a diagnosis of PTSD through the VA already? did you get a IME done with a dbq through a private doc?

Although a bit before my time - I want to say a special thank you to Vietnam Vets for your service! They seem to be the dominate population at the VA Hospital while I was there. 

70% - PTSD

->50% - OSA (Secondary to PTSD)

30% - Bilateral Pes Planus w/Plantar Fasciitis

30% - Migraines

10% - Tinnitus

20% - Back

0% - bilateral shin splints

 

 

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Berta

Berta

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Posted

My questions too.

 

We need more info

 

GRADUATE ! Nov 2nd 2007 American Military University !

When thousands of Americans faced annihilation in the 1800s Chief

Osceola's response to his people, the Seminoles, was

simply "They(the US Army)have guns, but so do we."

Sameo to us -They (VA) have 38 CFR ,38 USC, and M21-1- but so do we.

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