Rightardia has written about the Veteran Affairs Compensation and Pension (C&P) medical exams in the past.
We have pointed out that most of the C&P clinicians are not doctors but nurse practitioners and physicians assistants. Often the exams are cursory and superfluous.
We recommend vets go the the Freedom of Information Act Office and get a copy of the C&P notes relating to the physicals. Write a letter that identifies any shortfalls in the exams. Submits the letter to both the FOIA office for inclusion is CPRS and to the Veterans Center for inclusion in your claim file (c-file).
If the C&P progress notes are really off base, get a second physical from a private practice physicians and submit the results to both the FOIO office and the veterans center.
Be aware, too, that the physicals supposed to be conducted IAW The C&P Service Clinician’s Guide.
According to the VA:
This guide is designed to assist clinicians when performing compensation and pension (C&P) examinations. Since C&P examinations differ markedly from traditional medical examinations, special clinician guidance is required. This guide provides information for performing examinations that meet the requirements of the federal law.
Since the federal law (rating schedule) is written in legal language, it is often misinterpreted by clinicians. This guide, therefore, bridges this gap and explains the law in clinical terms.
Both this Guide and the worksheets should be utilized when performing C&P examinations.
The C&P exam is important because the VARO Rating Veterans service Representative (RVSR) will often consider evidence from a C&P clinicians over that of a private practice doctor.
The legal eagles of the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) are less impressed by a clinicians opinions when they are compared to the opinions of board certified primary doctors and specialists.
This is as it should be be because many vets have been seeing their primary care doctors and specialists for years while they might spend 30 minute to an hour with a C&P clinician.
Time is of the essence. You may get a Statement of Case or Supplemental Statement of Case (SSOC) within 30 days following the C&P physical.
Since the federal law (rating schedule) is written in legal language, it is often misinterpreted by clinicians. This guide, therefore, bridges this gap and explains the law in clinical terms.
Both this Guide and the worksheets should be utilized when performing C&P examinations.
If you are getting a general medical exam, the clinicians should follow the worksheet for this exam, which is in chapter 1.
Report any errors of commission's or omission in you letter that reclamas the physical.
This is as it should be be because many vets have been seeing their primary care doctors and specialists for years while they might spend 30 minute to an hour with a C&P clinician.
Time is of the essence. You may get a Statement of Case or Supplemental Statement of Case (SSOC) within 30 days following the C&P physical.
Since you and your family could be greatly impacted by the VA, decision it's time to play hardball if you want to be on the winning team.
see http://www.vetsforjustice.com/C&P%20Service%20Clinician%E2%80%99s%20Guide.htm
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see http://www.vetsforjustice.com/C&P%20Service%20Clinician%E2%80%99s%20Guide.htm
Subscribe to the Rightardia feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/UFPYA
Rightardia by Rightard Whitey of Rightardia is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at rightardia@gmail.com.
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