C&P exams and symptom diminishing medications

[conla]

How can a vet win a rating while on medication for a condition that he is filing a claim for? If he files a claim for Diabetic Polyneuropathy secondary to DMII and his PC has him on maximum dosage of Gabapentin for neuropathic pain and his symptoms have deminished to the point he can get around without dibilitating pain and he is able to walk into the C&P  Exam without a lot of trouble, then the examiner will deny the claim because in his opinion the symptoms don't meet the guidelines for a rating! So should the vet stop taking the pain meds until after the C&P exam?

 

[green]

You need to take a look at the C&P form.  The rating is actually influenced by several factors other than pain. I was denied years ago when I had obvious symptoms. This time I paid a private neurologist to conduct a nerve study.  It's a little hard for the VA to dispute neuropathy when you have the tests to prove it exists.

 

http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-21-0960C-10-ARE.pdf

Edited March 7, 2016 by green

[Buck52]

Welcome to hadit buddy.

first off never stop taking your meds without your Dr orders.

is this DMII  S.C.?

1. Diabetic neuropathies are nerve damaging disorders associated with diabetes mellitus. These conditions are thought to result from diabetic microvascular injury involving small blood vessels that supply nerves in addition to macrovascular conditions that can culminate in diabetic neuropathy. Relatively common conditions which may be associated with diabetic neuropathy include third nerve palsy; mononeuropathy; mononeuropathy multiplex; diabetic amyotrophy; a painful polyneuropathy; autonomic neuropathy; and thoracoabdominal neuropathy.

    

   Send in all medical records with your claim that is pertinent to your claim

   you may ask your Dr if he'could give their opinion as to rather or not this could be filed as a secondary to DMII

    

   I doubt you taking the meds will mess up your claim  to the contrary it will help your claim...I would think.

    

   like if a veteran taking meds for PTSD and they help then that's called adjustment by medications..that don't mean he is cured.

    

   check with your Dr on this and ask questions research it on your own so you can have a better understanding.

    

   just remember we veteran can't diagnose our self  that has to come from a MD or specialist or VA MD Or any type of medical opinion's 

    

   jmo

    

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

[Palma114]

conla,

obviously the majority of the damage has already been done, that's why they apparently put you on the medication, and that should be documented in your medical records, what stage or level your medical condition was in prior to the medication, and remember the holding in Jones v. Shineski (2012), VA cannot rate you on the new improved version of yourself after the beneficial effects of the medications have had their desired effects. CAVC-David J. Jones v. Eric K. Shinseki (2012).

[conla]

Thank you guys for your timely responses and good info. And Buck52 the DMII is 20% SC.

[green]

conla, I'm not aware of any medication that completely eliminates neuropathy pain.  At best they help reduce some of the pain.

[ArNG11]

On March 8, 2016 at 7:25 PM, Palma114 said:

conla,

obviously the majority of the damage has already been done, that's why they apparently put you on the medication, and that should be documented in your medical records, what stage or level your medical condition was in prior to the medication, and remember the holding in Jones v. Shineski (2012), VA cannot rate you on the new improved version of yourself after the beneficial effects of the medications have had their desired effects. CAVC-David J. Jones v. Eric K. Shinseki (2012).

Yup right on the money on that one.