C&P Labs

[25Unifrom50]

I have a C&P scheduled for Labs this month with an outside contractor, can any one tell me what is the purpose of the blood work and why couldn't they use the Labs from my recent visit to the VA.

[broncovet]

C and P "Labs" can be used to award or deny service connection...they are evidence.  Example:  "Labs" can confirm or rule out Diabetis, Hep C, and a bunch of other disorders.  

The "labs" from your recent visit "could" be used, but those "labs" may or may not be the right "labs".  

The term "labs" is a very broad term meaning any one of a number of laboratory tests including blood work, urinalysis, and more.  

Even among "labs"  specific to  blood work, your last set of labs may or may not have included a test for Hep C, for example, as hep c is often not tested unless specifically requested.  

Relax:  Confirming (or denial) of a diagnosis with labs is a good thing.  

You dont have anything to worry about unless you are, well, partaking of substances for recreational use that are not authorized.  

Even if your blood test shows evidence of alcohol, for example, this does not mean that your SC will be denied because of alcohol use/abuse.  

The VA has specific criteria for service connection, and for rating service connected disorders.  

And, there is only one example of alcohol abuse that will get you denied:  "Willfull misconduct".  

Willfull misconduct is a statement of fact made at the time of your in service event.  

For example, I was injured in service which resulted in a leg fracture.  My doctor specifically stated that my injury was "not due to willful misconduct".  

However, lets try another example.  Let's say you get drunk on duty, and get into an automobile accident in service.  The doctor who treats you notes that you had significant alcohol in your blood at the time of injury.  Then , the doctor COULD decide that your injury was due to your own "willful miscondcut" and you probably wont be service connected for injuries related to you drinking and driving on duty.  

On the other hand, if a Veteran has PTSD and self medicates with alcohol, this is "probably" not willful misconduct.  Again, that is a factual determination made by the doctor who treats you.  

[25Unifrom50]

Thanks Broncovet,

My only concern is, I don't take my Meds as I should, mainly because of the side effects and discomfort they cause. Is it possible that the frequency of how I take them would show up on the radar and  could it play a vital part in the decision process?

 

[broncovet]

Dont worry about it.  Is it your fault that the "side effects" of meds make them intolerable?  Nowhere in the "rating criteria" does it say anything about making doctor prescribed meds mandantory.  

Even the doctors understand that there is a reasonable chance that you wont be compliant with your meds, for multiple reasons.  

I dont always take my meds because I forget!  I have also expressed this to my doctors on multiple occassions.  If the benefits of taking the medications dont outweigh the negatives, then dont take them and tell your doctor why.  

Your disabilities will be rated on "symptoms" not on what kinds of meds you take, and whether or not you take them.  Medications dont work for everyone..some are worse than nothing.  

If you discontinue a medication I suggest you inform your doctor, and the reasons why.  He may try some other form of treatment.  Medications, in this country, are not mandantory, but are prescribed for the good of the patient.  Who is more qualifed to determine if these meds help you or not rather than you??  

Be honest at the c and p exam, but when he asks, "how are you?" you should tell him how you felt on your worst day.  If you feel good the day of the exam, but on thursday you had a fight with your wife and the police were called, then tell them that!