Doctors and VAC

lol @ dove guess we are thinkin the same thing.

propat

Robbie not sure when the last time your condition was reviewed but it seems to me that's exactly what they want buds. say you were 60% for knees when you got level 5 . if you are still at 60% then you will not likely get an increase.

propat

Not sure how you "asked" for an increase.
You probably know but after 2 years (and I think every two years) you can submit a review to have your levels re-evaluated.
Sorry to say but the Board and rigamarole that goes with it may be the way to proceed. It could be a bigger benefit to you in the long run.
More doctor reports…sigh.

Need input here troops, I asked for an increase in my EIA as I am at the bottom of the barrel at level 5, I was denied within 4 weeks of applying for the increase, reason being I didn't increase my level of incapacity to warrant a change in status. Ok I go from walking to requiring a cane and a scooter, my home has to be de-baby proofed so I can reach things and I now am limited to places that allow cart access with ramps What The Fack do I have to do to or prove to these morons, and to tell you the truth I blame my case manager for "Just submitting" my application. I know that these Case Managers are being told, "Don't sell anything and don"t give anything away", they want us to use the appeal process so we become discouraged and simply quit, HELLO I DO NOT QUIT. Any suggestions seriously I am about to loss me mind here.

Thanks for starting this post Ping.

I'm going to try and take this message to The Hill with me this week.

Not really sure at this point what it is because I am not dealing directly with them at this point. Having to rely on the referral is difficult.
With the dentist I was able to show the background and previous dental specialist report to him personally. I was already a patient before VA became sticky. It was still difficult and he admitted that if we didn't already have a good relationship, (we got along very well) he would have dropped me as a patient due to the problems with VA. (Reports, demands for more data, questioning his judgement (big one) and late payments etc)

Thanks bigrex. Is that right Dove96? Sorry if I misunderstood you. Neurologists are showing you the door because your a vet and they don't want to deal with VAC's bullcrap? pinger.

Rock the Hill...

Pinger, what I believe Dove is saying, is that these specialists might be turning her away BECAUSE she is a Veteran, and do not want to have to deal with VAC, even for a pre-diagnosed condition. This is becoming all too common. I went and seen a pain specialist for my back, where he injected lidacaine directly into my spine, and it had absolutely no effect. He diagnosed me with what is called "failed back syndrome", but said that he would not write a report directly to VAC, based on passed experience. Even my GP, who've I've known for a very long time, even beore being released, because she has been my wife's Dr since she was 20, and has been present at the birth of both of of my kids. But even she is starting to deny writing reports on my behalf because VAC has basically called her a liar and incompetent, by completely ignoring her supporting documents in the past. You would almost swear it was concerted effort on the part of VAC and VRAB to deter the medical field from helping Veterans. After, if you cannot get a Doctor to support you, they don't have to pay out any benefits.

Dove96, "Turned down by 4 in total." 4 different neurologists turned you down... have you shown any of them a copy of your 2006 diagnosis?
Supporting documentation. Here's a diagnosed report circa 2006, but here I am today - worse. Have you tried a service officer at a Legion? pinger.

Rock the Hill

I was diagnosed in BC back in 2006. I have moved/posted (with hubbie) 4 times since then that means 4 GPs. When referred to a Neurologist they see that I am already diagnosed, changed doctors many times and saw various specialists for my consequential conditions.
Before VA acknowledges the worsening of the condition/need for treatment/proof of condition I was told to see a Neurologist.
1. I was told to see a Neurologist for CRPS. Increasing pain, spreading and medication issues. Turned down by 4 in total.
2. I was told to see a neurologist before they would make a decision on a TMJ issue. (My dentist handled this very well)
3. I was told to see a neurologist for a cognitive impairment linked to neurological issues. Still waiting but they are the same ones that turned me down for #1.

Maybe I'm missing something Dove96,
Why is it so hard to just get a report from a civie neurologist? If VAC is pushing you towards a neurologist did a different professional write up your already diagnosed neurological disorder? If I have seen every specialist for my back, but VAC requires(?) a report from an african witch doctor, I would tell said witch doctor it is simply required for my VAC purposes. Guess some things may not be simple though like the TOD. pinger.

Rock the Hill

VA has pushed me to go to a neurologist for my already diagnosed neurological disorder. My doctor referred me to multiple Specialists some up to 2 hours away. I was turned down every time. "Not a good fit"; "Patient would benefit more from a pain clinic", etc. The VA will only accept a report from a "Neurologist" on my current conditions.
Between a rock and a hard place. Cannot get a report if no one will accept me as a patient.
Note: As for distance my dentist (TMJ/Bruxism specialist) is 50 minutes away.

Hey RR, I hear ya, I am rural and in fact all the Drs quit in my little town here a few years back. I have an MD now that is 30km away and a shrink that is 130km away and there are some days when I need to see them but just do not have the energy to travel. VAC are certainly not friends of the veteran, they cause more grief (at least for me) then they assist with.

Doctors and VAC

At times when many of us dealing with a new cluster da-da-da application of any sort, a new coverage, new procedure, drug, or piece of equipment we have to see the appropriate doctor for approval.
I quote what RCN-Retired posted today… Hope that's o.k.

“  by RCN-Retired Today at 01:07
About a year ago my family Dr retired and it took several months to find a new one because of the fact I was a veteran. No one wanted to take me because they indicated dealing with VAC is to onerous. The one I have is great but she refusing to bill VAC for anything, even when they provide a letter to have my health care professional submit a bill for x. She says she just "cannot be bothered dealing with these bandits." Her words not mine. What a state when Drs will not take on new patients because of the BS of VAC, and we all know that we are tripping over Drs. and it is so easy to replace one with another anytime. “

I read that and was reminded of some of my dealings (plural) with VAC. I write this more so in the hopes to help someone else than to ventilate. My own doctor takes a deep breathe when I walk in.

Scenario, I was fed up once so I put in a new separate disability application. My part, doctors part, quality of life etc. you know the drill. We had copies of everything a datestamp were about to leave VAC when some admin (pension officer?) caught me on the way out. He said the medical parts diagnosis is all wrong because it doesn’t apply to said TOD applicable section. “It will get rejected” he said.They give everything back to us, plus brand new medical forms for my doctor… oh joy, can you feel the love yet? I see my doctor with all the forms and he says no, his diagnosis stands. Then I see a RCL service officer, ex-military, experienced ex-VAC employee with all the forms and he concurs. Back to VAC I go, I tell them I want to submit the originals. They say again it’ll get reeeejected…. I say please submit the originals. Sidenote: my app. and the doctors part are separate. I stapled an additional photocopy of the doctors part to my app. I call that OVERKILL leaving nothing to chance. My app. was not rejected. It was approved and my old pa % doubled. Period. May I please echo propat? Always question authority. CASE IN POINT
I mention the above as just one personal experience. Bearing in mind everyones sit. may be different.

Now. Doctors? I’m urban, had the same doc for 15 years with good rapport and have a DA nearby.
But I can only shudder… thinking of others. My above scenario also had a 60 day time limit to submit but what about someone in the boonies.

And what about their scenario? Without a doctor (forget the rapport), and forget the most locally urban or closed DA. What about physical or mental health? What doctor? What specialists? How would said veteran get to where? Allowances? Shyte,no… I shudder.

Doctors can be overworked. If you have a good one, help them help you. Keep them on your/our side. I send mine a frackin x-mas card each year, it isn’t flattery… it’s appreciation. Keep your doctors close…  in spite of being ignored by vrab they have the power.
Was always looking for doctor who was also a lawyer.
BPA is not arms-length enough for me although they did help me one time as did rcl, one time.

Any doctor stories or helpful thoughts? Bug-a-boo’s? You are all my peers. fairwinds..pinger.

Rock the Hill