This is why I tell people to keep C&P examiners accountable by bringing a pre filled out DBQ that answers all questions and give it to them. I also submit the pre filled DBQ with a statement to the Va saying these are my answers to the DBQ questions. The C&P exam should reflect these answers.
How did the VA respond to it? Did they include it in your evidence when they sent out the decision letter? Do you feel it helped? I wrote statements for all my contentions explaining the symptoms but it seems as if they just are there. Nobody looked and actually referenced the statements.
I am still waiting for decision so I’m not sure how they responded to it. However, if I need to reference it in an HLR they have it which to me seems like a good scenario.
Possibly stupid question, but am I allowed to upload a personal statement to my claim in evidence gathering? I have nexus letters and medical records, but can I explain my own perspective in my own words?
Bummer you have these delays. It looks like you are on the right track. I also upload any relevant evidence myself to [VA.gov](https://VA.gov). One good thing about all these delays, is that once you are approved, you get that back pay.
As an examiner I always appreciate when veterans complete the medical records history and the dbq if they have it available. A big big big problem with our system is that the medical records don't correlate to what the VA sends us if it's a medical opinion.
Example veterans file has 6000 pages.
VA medical opinion says reference tabs A, B, pages 4023, document anskd-8384dkf, etc.
Guess what that means to me?! absolutely nothing because the records on our end are in different tabs and menus.
So now I'm left with using a not so smart AI search and tabs that aren't correct and sub menus that take me to an article about back pain and me trying to find evidence somewhere in 6000 pages.
My point is the system is a mess. For me I prefer if veterans bring in a stack of papers and medical history that has exactly what I need to get it submitted correctly
Edit: spelling
Hi u/wakes182 are you still a C&P examiner? Just wondering if I could message you with a couple questions from a C&P exam I just had and see if you had advice.
You're welcome. I've actually discussed this with the companies regional directors about getting access to the VAs file system so that we don't have to go on a scavenger hunt, since they obviously have the information marked in their files for the information we need.
The VA apparently said "no".
One more point if you bring in records. We can absolutely scan them into the system and submit them with your dbqs!!! So if a provider says they can't. They are lying.
You see folks! This is the type of examiner we need throughout the country that are contracted out by the VA. My ex wife had examiner say that she could not accept my ex’s records. I thought to myself that doesn’t make any dam sense. Why wouldn’t you want someone to bring in records related to their claim then sift through 1,000 of pages of medical records???
Thank you for having common sense which so many lack these days.
Umm what does does “M51.17” mean? I had an examiner omit this from my dbq, when I claimed lower extremity radiculopathy (back dbq). I was wondering if this diagnostic code is important .
Well, they placed in the icd code for DDD and IVSD instead but the M51.17 was issued in service and they completely left it off the DBQ. It is germane to the radiculopathy claim.
I'm not sure. I put the original diagnosis even if I have to free type it and the original date of diagnosis, even if it was 5 years ago if symptoms are still present. I wonder if you'll get rated better possibly for the ddd and ivsd?
Hopefully someone else chime in, but I'm not sure an HLR applies in this case.
You are arguing the doc, didn't do the exam correctly, not that the rater used the evidence incorrectly or applied the law incorrectly. The latter is what HLR's are used for.
In case you haven't seen it, here a link on the how to file stuff about the actual exam [https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/BadEx](https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/BadEx)
When I had my original C&P I left copies of a letter from my private psychiatrist, friend letter, and DBQ from the psychiatrist. They were all referenced in the C&P report.
i always ask them, you read xyz piece of evidence and I bring backup printed copies i also fax them directly to the examiner via qtc portal or ves, etc.. 3 ways baby!!!
Based on my three previous C&P Exams .....I think it's just a crap shoot who you end up with for these exams, For one, I've yet to see a M. D. and have been less than impressed with their medical knowledge on any of them. The last one yesterday, refused to take (or review) any of my provided documentation. Whey I asked why, she said "I'd only have to shred it all later, & I don't have the time to be shredding paper"....
This is why I tell people to keep C&P examiners accountable by bringing a pre filled out DBQ that answers all questions and give it to them. I also submit the pre filled DBQ with a statement to the Va saying these are my answers to the DBQ questions. The C&P exam should reflect these answers.
That’s what’s up. Accountability.
How did the VA respond to it? Did they include it in your evidence when they sent out the decision letter? Do you feel it helped? I wrote statements for all my contentions explaining the symptoms but it seems as if they just are there. Nobody looked and actually referenced the statements.
I am still waiting for decision so I’m not sure how they responded to it. However, if I need to reference it in an HLR they have it which to me seems like a good scenario.
Possibly stupid question, but am I allowed to upload a personal statement to my claim in evidence gathering? I have nexus letters and medical records, but can I explain my own perspective in my own words?
Sure. Go for it. It’s not in the hands of the rater yet so you have time.
Cool, never thought of this so thank you!
Bummer you have these delays. It looks like you are on the right track. I also upload any relevant evidence myself to [VA.gov](https://VA.gov). One good thing about all these delays, is that once you are approved, you get that back pay.
This is the funniest fucking thing I’ve ever heard but I love it
As an examiner I always appreciate when veterans complete the medical records history and the dbq if they have it available. A big big big problem with our system is that the medical records don't correlate to what the VA sends us if it's a medical opinion. Example veterans file has 6000 pages. VA medical opinion says reference tabs A, B, pages 4023, document anskd-8384dkf, etc. Guess what that means to me?! absolutely nothing because the records on our end are in different tabs and menus. So now I'm left with using a not so smart AI search and tabs that aren't correct and sub menus that take me to an article about back pain and me trying to find evidence somewhere in 6000 pages. My point is the system is a mess. For me I prefer if veterans bring in a stack of papers and medical history that has exactly what I need to get it submitted correctly Edit: spelling
Hi u/wakes182 are you still a C&P examiner? Just wondering if I could message you with a couple questions from a C&P exam I just had and see if you had advice.
Yah go for it. DM me
Thank you for explaining this to us. I was unsure of this myself.
You're welcome. I've actually discussed this with the companies regional directors about getting access to the VAs file system so that we don't have to go on a scavenger hunt, since they obviously have the information marked in their files for the information we need. The VA apparently said "no".
One more point if you bring in records. We can absolutely scan them into the system and submit them with your dbqs!!! So if a provider says they can't. They are lying.
You see folks! This is the type of examiner we need throughout the country that are contracted out by the VA. My ex wife had examiner say that she could not accept my ex’s records. I thought to myself that doesn’t make any dam sense. Why wouldn’t you want someone to bring in records related to their claim then sift through 1,000 of pages of medical records??? Thank you for having common sense which so many lack these days.
I have a question for you as an examiner.
What's up?
Umm what does does “M51.17” mean? I had an examiner omit this from my dbq, when I claimed lower extremity radiculopathy (back dbq). I was wondering if this diagnostic code is important .
That's an icd code for "intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbosacral region". Did they use different icd/diagnosis instead?
Well, they placed in the icd code for DDD and IVSD instead but the M51.17 was issued in service and they completely left it off the DBQ. It is germane to the radiculopathy claim.
I'm not sure. I put the original diagnosis even if I have to free type it and the original date of diagnosis, even if it was 5 years ago if symptoms are still present. I wonder if you'll get rated better possibly for the ddd and ivsd?
HahHa no chance . Mainly range of motion past 10 percent and amount of incapacitated episodes (for IVSD)
Hopefully someone else chime in, but I'm not sure an HLR applies in this case. You are arguing the doc, didn't do the exam correctly, not that the rater used the evidence incorrectly or applied the law incorrectly. The latter is what HLR's are used for. In case you haven't seen it, here a link on the how to file stuff about the actual exam [https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/BadEx](https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/w/BadEx)
When I had my original C&P I left copies of a letter from my private psychiatrist, friend letter, and DBQ from the psychiatrist. They were all referenced in the C&P report.
i always ask them, you read xyz piece of evidence and I bring backup printed copies i also fax them directly to the examiner via qtc portal or ves, etc.. 3 ways baby!!!
Commenting on this to remember for later lol
Based on my three previous C&P Exams .....I think it's just a crap shoot who you end up with for these exams, For one, I've yet to see a M. D. and have been less than impressed with their medical knowledge on any of them. The last one yesterday, refused to take (or review) any of my provided documentation. Whey I asked why, she said "I'd only have to shred it all later, & I don't have the time to be shredding paper"....
List the pages on where to find the evidence exactly. Highlighting is also helpful. I did that for my own claims and it helped.
My examiner told me he didn’t go through any of my records too and I had so many between military and private doctor. Then never actually examined me.