Doctor Search for Claims increase.

[Kfomin]

Family Assistance Specialist here, trying to help a client. Veteran with Dis. Rating but needing increase. Has submitted claim and they want an independent Doc to get eval and state it has gotten worse etc etc. How to do find a doctor to go to? Any suggestions?

[Vync]

Welcome to Hadit.com!

Thank you for looking out for our fellow veterans. When the veteran obtained their disability rating (i.e. became service-connected, or "SC"), they will not have to go through the same red tape as before. To obtain an increased rating, they only need proof that they meet the rating criteria for a higher rating. This can be in the form of medical (or mental) health treatment records from the preceding 12 months. If it comes from a non-VA doctor, physicians assistant, or nurse practitioner, they will also need to submit a release of information authorization. If they forget, the VA will send one to them to fill out and return.

Please feel free to check out my article on asking for an increased rating:

 

Additionally, one thing veterans often overlook is secondary disabilities. Essentially, if their SC disability, or medication used to treat it, causes an additional rate-able disability, they can file for SC. These are just like filing for new VA disability claims and require a nexus to connect the disability to service. 

 

I hope this helps!