Is the V.A. falsifying my test results??

[DocC03]

I recently have asked to add a few things to be SC'd for. After I filed a new claim I was sent to do several xrays and mri's for Comp and Pen.

The problem came when the results were given to me by my primary care doc. He was reading me the results and EVERY test was normal!?!? Now keep in mind that these tests are repeats of one that have been done in the past that showed problems that don;t go away on their own.

Ankle Xray-done in the past and showed arhtritis.

Ankle mri-done in the past showed serious damage to tendons and ligaments

MRI Brain-done in the past showed a cluster of blood vessels that were damaged with prior bleeding.

Xray of lower back- done in the past showed degeneative disc disease.

Ultrasound of lymph nodes-done in past showed enlarged nodes in neck

None of these things have been treated yet and all tests in the past were done by private companies when I was working and had insurance. The V.A. had these records from private companies. 

These new tests were done by the V.A. only. The tests results are ALL negative!!!!! No problems, no issues, no signs of past problems, just normal test results?!?!?!? 

I understand that people can heal. But there are certain things that don't go away like messed up vessels in your brain that were verified by MRI, CT, and Angiogram, also the damage to my ankle was so severe that it would not of healed completely with no signs of problems.

Since the original tests showed problems my ankle has gotten worse and my back has gotten worse. 

How is this possible??? My doc was blown away because he can physically see the problems such as swollen lymph nodes and ankle. 

Is there a precedent of the V.A. falsifying tests, or is this a case of maybe poor equipment at the V.A.? I am trying to give them the benefit of the doubt but I can't seem to wrap my head around what could be causing this?

 

[iceturkee]

40 minutes ago, DocC03 said:

I will do all of those suggestions. If my suspicions are true like I think they are then what recourse do I have being this is regarding comp and pen?

truthfully, if you can afford it, take those reports and or imagins studies to a civilian doctor and see what they say. if you go that route, please make sure you have copies of any reports and/or xrays.

[broncovet]

You have a right to dispute any/all errors in your (medical) records, as follows:

 

 

1.579 Amendment of records.

(a) Any individual may request amendment of any Department of Veterans Affairs record pertaining to him or her. Not later than 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) after the date or receipt of such request, the Department of Veterans Affairs will acknowledge in writing such receipt. The Department of Veterans Affairs will complete the review to amend or correct a record as soon as reasonably possible, normally within 30 days from the receipt of the request (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) unless unusual circumstances preclude completing action within that time. The Department of Veterans Affairs will promptly either:

(1) Correct any part thereof which the individual believes is not accurate, relevant, timely or complete; or

(2) Inform the individual of the Department of Veterans Affairs refusal to amend the record in accordance with his or her request, the reason for the refusal, the procedures by which the individual may request a review of that refusal by the Secretary or designee, and the name and address of such official.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(d)(2))

(b) The administration or staff office having jurisdiction over the records involved will establish procedures for reviewing a request from an individual concerning the amendment of any record or information pertaining to the individual, for making a determination on the request, for an appeal within the Department of Veterans Affairs of an initial adverse Department of Veterans Affairs determination, and for whatever additional means may be necessary for each individual to be able to exercise fully, his or her right under 5 U.S.C. 552a.

(1) Headquarters officials designated as responsible for the amendment of records or information located in Central Office and under their jurisdiction include, but are not limited to: Secretary; Deputy Secretary, as well as other appropriate individuals responsible for the conduct of business within the various Department of Veterans Affairs administrations and staff offices. These officials will determine and advise the requester of the identifying information required to relate the request to the appropriate record, evaluate and grant or deny requests to amend, review initial adverse determinations upon request, and assist requesters desiring to amend or appeal initial adverse determinations or learn further of the provisions for judicial review.

(2) The following field officials are designated as responsible for the amendment of records or information located in facilities under their jurisdiction, as appropriate: The Director of each Center, Domiciliary, Medical Center, Outpatient Clinic, Regional Office, Supply Depot, and Regional Counsels. These officials will function in the same manner at field facilities as that specified in the preceding subparagraph for headquarters officials in Central Office.

(Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(4))

(c) Any individual who disagrees with the Department of Veterans Affairs refusal to amend his or her record may request a review of such refusal. The Department of Veterans Affairs will complete such review not later than 30 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays) from the date on which the individual request such review and make a final determination unless, for good cause shown, the Secretary extends such 30-day period. If, after review, the Secretary or designee also refuses to amend the record in accordance with the request the individual will be advised of the right to file with the Department of Veterans Affairs a concise statement setting forth the reasons for his or her disagreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs refusal and also advise of the provisions for judicial review of the reviewing official's determination. (5 U.S.C. 552a(g)(1)(A))

[DocC03]

Broncovet,

Thanks for the info. I do understand after reading this that I can dispute this but I am more concerned with somehow proving malicious intent, if there is any way possible. It just seems funny that as soon as a C&P is ordered the test results start to magically appear fixed. 

With a medical background it makes me sick to think that they could be doing this to other vets that might not have enough experience/knowledge/awareness or whatever to catch the V.A. doing this. 

[rwskitch]

...and I thought I was the only one, after hearing the results from all my tests and everything, I'm left with the impression that I can enter the next Olympics at 61 years old next month...!

[Navy04]

I personally have helped Vets that used Civilian DRs that claimed all kinds of medical issues but never actually saw the tests. Then go to the VA and have all the Same MRIs, Scans and X Rays, guess what nothing there. I have had a ton of Scans, MRIs and everything else over the last few Years from the VA and Civilian DRs. I have copies of all of the Results and CDs too. Do you have copies of the results, or can contact the Docs and get them? I always say Hard Medical Evidence is Evidence, no matter how you look at it. In my case I have been Granted New SC conditions as a Result of these various test for a C&P exam for a totally different Condition. If you have all these issues, then you should be able to get those results, or go to your civilan DRs and have them done again Good luck and keep us posted

[DocC03]

Navy04,

Thanks for the response. I do have most if not all of the actual tests from civilian docs and V.A. docs such as Cd's of MRI's and such in addition to the reading reports of them. 

The reason I am struggling with this is that until recently I have not been involved with my medical care. (My fault). I have trusted what I was told at face value and not verified it. Now that I am verifying it and reviewing all my records I am finding major problems like what was mentioned above in addition to.....

Triglycerides that were over 900, damaged tissues in my lungs over multiple xrays, lymphocytes and erythrocytes extremely elevated over several years, CPK levels through the roof, and much more yet I was always told that my results were normal. 

I am trying to get to the bottom of this but I am afraid it is a very deep hole. I do not know if this is just a case of ignorance or something going on that is being covered up.

Of course I want to make sure as far as a comp and pen goes I want to get covered for everything I can in case something happens to me I want to make sure that my wife is taken care of. But I also want to get this figured out from a legality standpoint.