hypertension C&p Exams

[chuck08]

When my brother retired in May 2006, he filed a claim for disability for his hand/joints and hypertension. During his C&P examination, the examiner said he did not need the medication for hypertension. He received a rating of 10 percent for his hand/joint.

I am concerned because I will be retiring later next year and take medication for my heart (angio plasti/stent) and hypertension. My cardiologist stated I will always need the medication. My question is, can an examiner state I no longer need to take my medication duirng/after the examination? Is this normal behavior for an examiner?

[marinejay]

If they see his condition is getting better, the examiner may discontinue his meds, but since its a va doc, and they are know for dorking stuff up, i would go see a specialist to make sure. That is his life he is dealing with and don't no doc knows your condition better than you.

marinejay

[Guest jangrin]

In the civilian world, medical examiners are just that, they do an exam. Even SS examinations are only exams and their doc's do not offer treatment, they render an opinion.

I would not follow the directions of an exam doctor even with the VA. The patient has a primary care physician. The exam doc can write his opinion in the report but he is NOT the primary care doc, and he bears no responsibility to the patient's care. His job is none other than to document his "finding during an exam" and then give an opinion.

Since the exam doc is not legally responsible for the patients treatment, following his reccomendations are not advisable.

Researching his advise and his opinion would be advisable, but through consultation with your primary physician.

JMO

jangrin

Edited December 17, 2006 by jangrin

[LarryJ]

I'd venture to say, that, if the examining C&P doctor was also your Bro's "primary" or "gatekeeper" or whatever they are calling them nowadays............then, yes, I would suppose that it would be in their realm of practice to prescribe (or un-prescribe) his medications.

Otherwise, I'd simply ask this C&P doc if he/she could arrange for me to be seen by a specialist such as a cardiologist.

But, to simply state that "you don't need that medication any longer", and knowing as how this C&P doc relies upon the VA for livelyhood............and the lower the rating the more the VA "smiles"..............???

Besides, if he's taking his blood pressure lowering medicine and he goes in to have this C&P and they take his blood pressure...................hmmmmmm? Could it just simply be that his blood pressure medication is

ACTUALLY doing some good?

AW, crap, I'm sorry..........sometimes I have these lapses into unbelievable insight........... :)

[Guest jangrin]

I'd venture to say, that, if the examining C&P doctor was also your Bro's "primary" or "gatekeeper" or whatever they are calling them nowadays............then, yes, I would suppose that it would be in their realm of practice to prescribe (or un-prescribe) his medications.

Otherwise, I'd simply ask this C&P doc if he/she could arrange for me to be seen by a specialist such as a cardiologist.

But, to simply state that "you don't need that medication any longer", and knowing as how this C&P doc relies upon the VA for livelyhood............and the lower the rating the more the VA "smiles"..............???

Besides, if he's taking his blood pressure lowering medicine and he goes in to have this C&P and they take his blood pressure...................hmmmmmm? Could it just simply be that his blood pressure medication is

ACTUALLY doing some good?

AW, crap, I'm sorry..........sometimes I have these lapses into unbelievable insight........... :)

LarryJ, you are to funny, but it is probably those super xray vision goggles with the blue stipes and gold stars that allows you to reveal the super insight. lol B) too funny.

jangrin :D

[Ricky]

Even I can say "you don't need those meds any more." Now I would expect you to take that advice with "screw you buddy" and that is what I would do with the examiner's advice. Unless your treating doc or a specialist changes/reduces your meds don't do it. The rating for hypertension "on meds" is 10 percent. I would NOD such a foolish award by simply telling them that the examiner's opinion about the meds is non-probative as he is simply an examiner and is not your treating doc or a specialist. I would also have my PCP write a statement that the meds are required.

[dougbo1943]

I agree 100% with Ricky. The C&P Doctor should not interfere with primary care Doctor.