C&P exams

[GBArmy]

Hang onto to your hats, boys and girls. I just read on Stars & Stripes that the VA is terminating all in-house C&P exams. Going forward they are going to contact them all out. Apparently, no exceptions for MH exams, MST, etc. Yet they haven't implemented corrective actions based on an audit they had 2 years ago.  Anybody think this 100% re-sourcing may be a bad idea? "WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is eliminating its in-house compensation and pension exam program and will outsource all of the exams, which are crucial to determining whether veterans are eligible for VA benefits." see the article https://www.stripes.com/news/us/va-plans-to-outsource-all-compensation-and-pension-exams-1.649356

[pacmanx1]

15 hours ago, GBArmy said:

Hang onto to your hats, boys and girls. I just read on Stars & Stripes that the VA is terminating all in-house C&P exams. Going forward they are going to contact them all out. Apparently, no exceptions for MH exams, MST, etc. Yet they haven't implemented corrective actions based on an audit they had 2 years ago.  Anybody think this 100% re-sourcing may be a bad idea? "WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is eliminating its in-house compensation and pension exam program and will outsource all of the exams, which are crucial to determining whether veterans are eligible for VA benefits." see the article https://www.stripes.com/news/us/va-plans-to-outsource-all-compensation-and-pension-exams-1.649356

This should not be a big deal, IMHO, I always say that a veteran should always have an IMO/Diagnosis prior to any C & P exam.  Furthermore, in my opinion a veteran should always have an IMO/Diagnosis prior to even filing a claim.  I am fully aware that symptoms not treatment is the essence of any continuity but if a veteran is having symptoms then s/he would seek treatment which would result in a medical opinion and or diagnosis.  To me, it is simply asking VA to deny a veteran's claim if s/he does not have an IMO/Diagnosis.  A veteran would never know how a C & P examiner would describe their condition(s) until after the C & P exam and then it could be too late.  Also keep in mind that it could be how or what the VARO ask the examiner to examine or opinion

[El Train]

I've had everyone of my claims approved by outside contractors (QTC).  I've had everyone of my claims denied by the VA examiner.  That is unless I had an outside IMO/Diagnosis.  Even with a solid outside IMO/Diagnosis by a forensic MD, the VA chose the opinion of a VA NP C&P examiners opinion on some claims.  Not a specialist, a general medicine Nurse Practitioner.  I have had claims approved from second opinions requested by VA via QTC (one's originally denied by VA C&P examiner).  At least the VA will get multiple opinions if the claim isn't crystal clear.  So I'll give them that.  I went through 5 C&P's for PTSD/TBI.  

[deedub75]

1 minute ago, El Train said:

I've had everyone of my claims approved by outside contractors (QTC).  I've had everyone of my claims denied by the VA examiner.  That is unless I had an outside IMO/Diagnosis.  Even with a solid outside IMO/Diagnosis by a forensic MD, the VA chose the opinion of a VA NP C&P examiners opinion on some claims.  Not a specialist, a general medicine Nurse Practitioner.  I have had claims approved from second opinions requested by VA via QTC (one's originally denied by VA C&P examiner).  At least the VA will get multiple opinions if the claim isn't crystal clear.  So I'll give them that.  I went through 5 C&P's for PTSD/TBI.  

Pretty much the same with me other than I had 2 claims approve on exit exam when I was sent to file a claim with the VA as part of my out processing. Years later I filed several claims that the exams went through the VAMC. All were denied except my tinnitus claim and that put me at 30%. I appealed as well as filed several more claims after going though my c-file and military medical records. I was working for VBA at that time and I had gained a lot of knowledge about claims. Also, the VA had just made a policy change where if you were a VA employee then you couldn't have exams at the local VAMC and all veterans claims were to be sent to St. Paul, MN. I would have had to go to another VAMC further away but they gave me the choice of going to the VES contractor so I jumped on that opportunity. The VES contractor was actually an MD and she told the time to listen, research and fill everything out correctly. I ended up getting to 100% P&T ultimately. I'm pretty sure had I been forced to go the VAMC route I would never have gotten to 100% or it would have at least taken me much longer. 

[VietNamVet1969]

Just got a call for my annual C&P and I can do a phone interview with the VA, at least as of last week, or go to an outside clinic. As for those who may be thinking, that an outside clinic is the ticket, I guess I haven't seen the contract they signed with the VA just yet, and don't know what they are up against, and hopefully it ain't us.

[glenda h]

I've had a contracted C&P done by LHI last year.  My examiner was a prior Navy NP, so I was lucky.  Got my claim approved.  Having a prior svc person helps as they know what you went through.    Ive dealt with this company when I was civil svc employee.  Most are civilian doctors with no mil exp., they are contracted to do Army reservist annual physicals.  If you are to go thru this company, beware of the questions they ask.  For example, what happened to the reservists, "do you have a headache", Yes, Boom, the PULHES would have a "3", then the Reservist would have to go through the hoops, getting medical documentation to prove it was nothing so he/she would be fit for duty.  Be truthful, aware,  when they ask specific questions concerning your condition, as they told to put down exactly what you say.  But on the bad side, this examination doesnt show in your med records, at least mine didnt.  So I dont know exactly what the examiner said-which could be a reason they are doing this as well.  To keep yourself from being on top of it.  

Edited October 23, 2020 by glenda h
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[cwatson]

While I was in the military I repeatedly visited the medical clinic for aggravated pain caused by working and the doctors gave me medications. I took so many medications that I suffered two hear murmurs.

They stopped and my heart got better then I complained of pain so they started me back on medications until I was discharged early a year later.

The contractors are a joke just to give the VA time to read our claims.