Re: Functional Capacity Assessment

by Unknown Soldier Sat 13 Feb 2021, 15:15

Nemo wrote:
I am currently waiting for decision on DEC. What alarms me here is the statement that VAC ignores specialists and only considers an
OTs opinion. Then why would one update with specialists when they will be ignored.? An OT only knows what he sees for a couple hours. He can't comment on a disease process as he is not a doctor.

exactly so the vet will lose and VAC will gamble on whether. The veteran will continue to fight for their benefits, some will some won’t. When vets don’t VAC sees that as a win financially.

by **Teentitan** Sat 13 Feb 2021, 14:27

Actually OT's are sub-contracted by VAC Client Service Agents (CSA) to assess your house and how you are handling living in said house. They check out the house for safety like grab bars in shower/bath, lift bar for the bed if needed, how many stairs are in your house and how you walk up and down. Your cognitive understanding and speaking. Basically when you are being interviewed by an OT the CSA uses the OT report as a tool in deciding what the vet needs to make their house safer and if the vet is in dire need of more assistance from VAC either approved daily living aids (shower grab bars for example), regular visits from nurses, wheelchair ramps etc.

Like BigRex said you are on the clock the second you answer the door. They observe all behaviors of the vet sitting, walking, talking, cognitive thinking, cleanliness, accessibility etc.

EZRider if you were not happy with your OT let your CSA know that the OT was not well trained and you want another assessment from an experienced OT.

by EZRider Sat 13 Feb 2021, 13:16

Nemo wrote:
I am currently waiting for decision on DEC. What alarms me here is the statement that VAC ignores specialists and only considers an
OTs opinion. Then why would one update with specialists when they will be ignored.? An OT only knows what he sees for a couple hours. He can't comment on a disease process as he is not a doctor.

That is worrisome.....pretty sure my OT just graduated as he/she was reading from a PowerPoint presentation...school notes. Not a smidge of Military knowledge amongst the lot of them.

Pretty sure Physical Therapists and Chiro reports are not considered during disability claims adjudication...only Doctors. can’t see why OT would have the final say!

by **Nemo** Fri 12 Feb 2021, 23:34

I am currently waiting for decision on DEC. What alarms me here is the statement that VAC ignores specialists and only considers an
OTs opinion. Then why would one update with specialists when they will be ignored.? An OT only knows what he sees for a couple hours. He can't comment on a disease process as he is not a doctor.

by Figowa Wed 10 Feb 2021, 18:12

Good to see this thread active. This seems to be a smouldering topic.

I know everybody's situation is different and complex but the bottomline becomes, are we satisfied with the end result? Did we get heard and understood?
Will we get continued support? And so on.

Right now my main beef is with CVVRS and their blanket assessments.

by johnny211 Wed 10 Feb 2021, 15:13

Figowa- It appears Vac is tightening up the Dec. I have been TPI/Dec now for 7 yrs. Yes the CM could make the determination. In my case, I did a yr of College, got a great job, then my ptsd issues, and concentatration just would not allow me to continue. Got both my pscy and family dr to write letters stating, Due too Johnnys physical and mental issues he will never work again. Sent these to my CM, and that was it. It is sad and crazy now that those who have gotten injured mentally and physically have to jump thru hoops and red tape. VVV...

by Unknown Soldier Wed 10 Feb 2021, 13:12

Chaud wrote:Yes some clarity now. Their was a medical team that met every few weeks and the CM presented his finding and it was approved or not. I remember the DEC was required for CIA/S that was 1100 a month. Now the Dec gets you a monthly pension I assume.
If not what does the DEC get for a veteran?

while the veteran is trying to rehabilitate their mental and physical injuries they are placed on Income Replacement Benefit (IRB) , I’m pretty sure the $ amount is different for each veteran depending on numerous factors, previous rank, years served etc. If it is found that rehab will do no good and/ or the mental and physical testing shows that the veteran has a Diminished Earning Capacity, they become that DEC status and whatever money they were getting a month on rehab as IRB simply continues as DEC , and it will be until age 65 before it decreases.

by Guest Wed 10 Feb 2021, 12:00

Yes some clarity now. Their was a medical team that met every few weeks and the CM presented his finding and it was approved or not. I remember the DEC was required for CIA/S that was 1100 a month. Now the Dec gets you a monthly pension I assume.
If not what does the DEC get for a veteran?

by Unknown Soldier Wed 10 Feb 2021, 10:27

Chaud wrote:I was declared DEC in 2017 i never had to do any of this. Is it new? A case manager called me on the phone and asked questions several months later i was DEC. I think it was my only call from a CM in 17 years. Presently I receive all the med benefits/awards and even the old pension thing from before 2006 etc. I had one other letter in 2005 if i needed anything feel free to call someone i assume it was a case manager. Med released for OSI and minor back issues that got much worst. 5% to 16%-Back
Has anyone else had this situation? When did this Assessment start?

yes it changed a few years back there is a report on it on line ,l read it one time, it stated that VAC had given the power to CMs to grant veterans DEC, but VAC found the # go through the roof, there was no check and balance in place, often times it just came down to whether the veteran and the CM got along or not. And like the way most things go when an “ error” is discovered, to try and right the world the pendulum often swings too far the other way. Now despite the recommendations of a veterans Dr. And or specialists they’ve attended, if the occupational therapist says you are fit for work, that is the only report VAC will consider. Mind you it is also filtered through March of Dimes in some cases, l guess it’s VAC way of absolving themselves of the results if the veteran isn’t happy with the outcome.

by Guest Wed 10 Feb 2021, 09:19

I was declared DEC in 2017 i never had to do any of this. Is it new? A case manager called me on the phone and asked questions several months later i was DEC. I think it was my only call from a CM in 17 years. Presently I receive all the med benefits/awards and even the old pension thing from before 2006 etc. I had one other letter in 2005 if i needed anything feel free to call someone i assume it was a case manager. Med released for OSI and minor back issues that got much worst. 5% to 16%-Back
Has anyone else had this situation? When did this Assessment start?

by Figowa Wed 10 Feb 2021, 06:24

Unknown Soldier wrote:
l often wondered about this, after the tests and they figure out what they feel you can do, these job selections , are they any old job, or do they have to guarantee you 66.5% of your previous pay or whatever. ..?

That's what I heard from my VAC CM. Unless you choose to go work somewhere only part time (implying your spouse is doing ok or your pension is good), they can't stop you. But if you need IRB, then they want to make sure you are capable of fending for yourself afterwards, providing you've overcome all barriers, like getting the education and into a good SUITABLE job on the bottom end and ultimately having control over your health issues (job doesn't aggravate).

My issue is a day to day thing, sometimes every 8 hours. I know I need to be in control of my schedule, work tasks at my own pace and duration. Its worked for me at while at home. However with that segway, working from home would be most ideal, but what would I do? I've suggested this, but they want the full out presentation and won't help you with that.

by Unknown Soldier Tue 09 Feb 2021, 18:28

Figowa wrote:Thanks for the quick replies.

It almost seems like they really have no clue of one's medical history during the military. Nor do they even consider what you tell them during the questionaires.

At what point can you get a reassessment? They gave me 9 jobs to choose from (guaranteed approval/support) I chose the best 2 according to my military trade and the transferrable skills. The other 7 were laughable (you know, no interest, no qualifications, too physically demanding to even think of that type of work).

Funny thing was, when I did my transition at a tool and die shop (when I was still feeling ok day to day) and the company wanted to get me on an appreticeship program, ASAP, my CM from both VAC and SISIP, flat out refused to support it because of exacerbating my condition or hurting myself. Now that same type of job came up as one of my 9 choices and is perfectly fine now to pursue even though I'm worse off now than I was back then.

This is causing me extra stress, that I don't need. Hence why I had asked at what point does my doctor and specialist have a say? Last time I checked, no doctor from CVVRS checked me out.

l often wondered about this, after the tests and they figure out what they feel you can do, these job selections , are they any old job, or do they have to guarantee you 66.5% of your previous pay or whatever. ..?

by Figowa Tue 09 Feb 2021, 18:16

Thanks for the quick replies. Cool

It almost seems like they really have no clue of one's medical history during the military. Nor do they even consider what you tell them during the questionaires.

At what point can you get a reassessment? They gave me 9 jobs to choose from (guaranteed approval/support) I chose the best 2 according to my military trade and the transferrable skills. The other 7 were laughable (you know, no interest, no qualifications, too physically demanding to even think of that type of work).

Funny thing was, when I did my transition at a tool and die shop (when I was still feeling ok day to day) and the company wanted to get me on an appreticeship program, ASAP, my CM from both VAC and SISIP, flat out refused to support it because of exacerbating my condition or hurting myself. Now that same type of job came up as one of my 9 choices and is perfectly fine now to pursue even though I'm worse off now than I was back then. Suspect

This is causing me extra stress, that I don't need. Hence why I had asked at what point does my doctor and specialist have a say? Last time I checked, no doctor from CVVRS checked me out.

by EZRider Tue 09 Feb 2021, 16:17

Ya these tests...I went from a low after the doctors interview to med after the tests...thing I don’t like about the testing is the lack of reporting on non pensioned conditions where you can be DEC with a non pensioned conditions included.

by **bigrex** Tue 09 Feb 2021, 10:49

Unfortunately VAC will always go with the OTs Assessment. Because they are assessing you from the moment you walk into the office, until you leave the next day. So even though you may not have been able to do the heavy lifting, you may have been fine sitting for extended periods, while doing all the cognitive tests.

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