C & P Coming Up Soon.

[tdak]

Hi,

I was wondering what I should expect at my C&P that is coming up on May 17. It is in regards to my IU. Are they going to give me a psych eval too? Are they just going to look at the medical issues that I have filed for? I was wondering this because I just went to my NY SSD exam on Wed. and they gave me a psych eval, for what reason who knows, but they gave me one and they doctors there were...geez I don't even want to get started about them. Is my C&P going to be long? The first one I went to was only about 30-45 min, at the longest. I just really need to be prepared for this, because I do not want to get denied.

Thanks,

Tamara

[Pete53]

Tamara:

I had a C&P Feb 22, 2007 for HB Benefit. It was done by a Medical Doctor he did a lot of the stuff you do when you go to see your regular Doc but much more thorough. He asked quite a few questions and made a few observations. I felt that he was professional and objective.

It took 45 minutes. He even made comments about how I walked, my ability to answer his questions, how I handled money, my relation with my wife and kids.

I must admit that for me it was not all that stressful but it surprised me. My blood pressure was high the white coat syndrome. I have had 4 C&P's at the VA and 3 were professional and done well in my opinion.

My advice is to go to bed early the night before, don't dress like you are going to a job interview and answer questions in short sentences. Remember what things are like normally when you are at home and answer the questions with that in mind.

Some of the questions are very personal but you need to answer honestly.

Good Luck

[sixthscents]

Tamara,

The guide that the C&P examiner is supposed to follow can be found here:

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/Admin21/GUIDE/...iciansguide.doc

Now, the C&P examiners are given specific instructions NOT to state an opinion as to unemployability in M21-1. However you can look at the guide and based upon your disabilities you can have an idea of what to expect...

[Rich T]

You can call the VAMC and ask what type C&P it will be. The VA should only have one with each visit. Look at the worksheet from the previous post and practice his questions and your answers. Of course any outside medical information that you can provide to him would be helpful. I never have relied on information submitted to the VARO. I always made sure that the C&P doc had that info in his hands.

[tdak]

Thanks all so much for the great input. I will read the info and go from there. Well I do know that I have a hard time day to day doing the normal things e.g housework. I have doctor's letters even stating I need assistance with daily living. I haven't worked full time in about 4-5 years. I used to be then when I started getting sicker I would just lower my hours until finally I couldn't work, that was July of 04. I tried again to go back the following year and only worked from Aug to Nov of 05 and I was so bad thats when I had the brain surgery. I haven't worked since. I am always truthful about how I feel day to day and about what I can accopmlish, because I am frustrated for the fact that I cannot fully take care of my family, that my family takes care of me. I am just glad my husband is so understanding as well as very helpful and that my girls help with everything.

Thanks,

Tamara

PS. Pete...I too get the white coat syndrome. Just a touch of anxiety I'm guessing.

[Pete53]

Tamara:

Good Luck to you and I am sure that you have nothing to worry about as far as VA or Social Security. I was told by an amazing Doctor once that allowing my family to help me was a gift to me and to them. I had never looked at it that way but it is true.

Pete

[free_spirit_etc]

Tamara -

Good luck! Had it has a nice article on C&P exams:

http://www.hadit.com/cntnt/thingstodoatcandp.htm

Free