Re: DEC BOARD

by AirLog Sat 27 Oct 2018, 18:02

In my particular case, my family physician who filled in the questionnaire. He is very detailed in my limitations and clearly stated that I am unfit to return to work. Not to mention that my insurance company is keeping me on LTD because they believe that I am unfit to work. I agree with what Bigrex says. I also have good days and bad days. I always give my worse day scenario. Hoping for the best with my DEC Board.

AirLog

by **Teentitan** Sat 27 Oct 2018, 16:07

That's where the phrase "Pain dictates my life" is all that is needed.

It answers time, distance and abilities to do housework, chores, yardwork etc.

By being specific on their questionnaire is what the adjudicators want to read as it "fits" their meat chart on the human body that insurance companies use.

The difference between an insurance adjudicator and a VAC adjudicator is the VAC adjudicator works for a supervisor who gets a yearly bonus.

That's why it's important NOT to get wordy when doing a questionnaire. Use a doctor/specialist report to be wordy because if an adjudicator over rules a specialist report they need to explain in detail why they over ruled a specialist.

If they do deny an application all a vet has to say in an appeal hearing is the following....
"Where is the copy from the medical professional that is contradicting my specialist report?"

by **bigrex** Sat 27 Oct 2018, 15:35

See the reason I said to use general terms, as much as possible, it's because it varies, even from hour to hour, for most severely disabled individuals. Most Veterans aren't sitting there with a stop watch, timing how long they are able to perform any specific task, so they can't say that they need to rest after 1o minutes every time. Some days, I can go to the store and get some groceries, even if I need to rest afterwards, and there are days that I cannot even get out of bed due to the pain.

by czerv Sat 27 Oct 2018, 13:42

If your CM is supportive: great, work with that. I guess, it is CM's shine moment when they 'present' our cases before the 'board'.
Yes, way over 100%.

I would not worry in your place.
Cheers

by AirLog Sat 27 Oct 2018, 13:17

Thanks again czerv. My CM wants to talk to me to ensure that she has a complete understanding of my condition/limitations before she brings my file forward. She initiated this DEC designation so I am very supportive of her. What was your % and limitations if you don't mind me asking? Are they like my limitations and %?

AirLog

by czerv Sat 27 Oct 2018, 13:10

Yes, I was approved.
Your CM has all the med papers. Then that interview is ... for what reason.
Just make a list of all the medical issues you have. Repeat them to her/him describing the worst days that you have. Keep it short.
Cheers

by AirLog Sat 27 Oct 2018, 12:45

Thanks czerv. Did you get approved DEC? My CM is very supportive of my receiving a DEC designation. Just want to ensure that I have a complete understanding of this process before I discuss it with her over the phone.

AirLog

by czerv Sat 27 Oct 2018, 12:42

AirLog, do not worry about it. Will be what it will be. I got DEC papers done by 3 doctors: all said "No WORK"; my CM was useless: just told her to submit the papers. Did not have any 'special' interview with her. Told her that I am going 'public' if she does not submit it.
In respect your health (I had cancer also), have a serious look at Med Cannabis. Watch 'Run from the cure'; etc. Just my two cents.
Good luck and God bless.

by AirLog Sat 27 Oct 2018, 12:33

Hi everyone and thanks for your replies. Any bit of information will definitely assist me with my DEC consideration. I have posted before so some of you may remember me. I have cancer (operated) that has resulted in numerous physical limitations. My initial assessment was 109% and all other consequential conditions were approved but didn't come with a %. My physical limitations are with my chest, arm and neck. Essentially where the operation was for my cancer. I take a medication that leaves me chronically fatigued all day. If I don't take my medication then the numbness and tightness in my neck leaves me with great discomfort. So it is neck, arm and chest limitations topped off with chronic fatigue. I have had extensive physiotherapy paid by a private insurance but the end result was no improvement with my physical limitations. The insurance company is keeping me on LTD (private insurance). To top it all off, I now have spots that are developing on my left lung. So far the spots aren't growing so the doctor says don't worry (yet). Of course this weighs heavily on my mind. My family physician indicated that he would be definitely including all my physical limitations and concerns about my lung in the medical questionnaire. Now, it is just a question of discussing my condition and limitations with my CM so she can have a complete understanding of my condition before presenting my file to the DEC Board. Not sure if my limitations are enough to be designated as DEC but I sure hope so as it would ease my mind with respect to finances.

AirLog

by Guest Sat 27 Oct 2018, 11:33

Riddick wrote:I rarely see my family Dr., but a psychologist/psychiatrist will unlikely know much about a clients physical limitations except from what the client/patient tells them. I can speak from a mental stand-point, that my psychologist has provided 99% of supporting documents (besides myself) to VAC vice my family Dr. I have never seen a psychiatrist and am DEC.

Riddick

if you don’t mind posting or you can pm me or not post it at all if you feel, but can I ask what your % of disability was before you applied for DEC, And how long did confirmation take.? I used to think vets had to be 100% disabled to achieve DEC status, but others have posted here, they are far below that. Just as others have posted that they are getting CPPD and yet, VAC has denied them DEC, everyone always seems to be on a different page

by **Kramer** Sat 27 Oct 2018, 11:06

I rarely see my family Dr., but a psychologist/psychiatrist will unlikely know much about a clients physical limitations except from what the client/patient tells them. I can speak from a mental stand-point, that my psychologist has provided 99% of supporting documents (besides myself) to VAC vice my family Dr. I have never seen a psychiatrist and am DEC.

Riddick

by **Teentitan** Sat 27 Oct 2018, 10:54

The simple answer that will not define you or get you into a bureaucratic trap is this...

"Doing anything from walking to chores to sitting depends on my mental state that day."

If you have bad legs, feet, knees, back...

"Depending on the pain level I can walk for 15 minutes or 15 seconds. PAIN controls my daily abilities"

You may think these are weak answers but they are not because you are challenging VAC to send you to their doctor for an assessment. Something they very rarely do, 20 years and I have seen a VAC doctor 3 times and each time I hand over multiple specialist reports. By doing this I challenged a General Practitioner to contradict a specialist report which they have to put in the decision of the application, again 3 times I have done this and 3 times the GP did not challenge the specialist report.

Don't overthink the questionnaire. Short simple answers, the more 'words' you use the more you hang yourself. Then on the Doctor's questionnaire you include the specialist reports on your condition.

If you do not have a family doctor tell your CM. The CM will make a note that getting medical information is going to take longer then the 60-90 days you get because you are dealing with walk in clinics to get a referral to a specialist.

I know doing these medical questionnaire's are challenging and can cause a lot of anxiety but try really hard to keep your fears in check so when in doubt talk to your CM or CSA to help you fill out the paperwork....it is their job.

by Guest Sat 27 Oct 2018, 10:22

Riddick wrote:I agree with Rex....it's because people who are applying for DEC usually do not "have their shit together," that explaining things in general terms is sometimes the best they/we can do. If a person is considering DEC their memory/concentration may be compromised as well. Many times a person's well-being or QOL changes on a daily basis.....sometimes a person might be able to walk 10-15 min and sometimes only for 2 min; perhaps because of .......say......pain. To remember all the variables within the equation of health is not easy to do when a person has mental issues. Add consequential problems to the mix! If you honestly do not know.....say ....you do not know. Sometimes a person asking the questions will lead you on, like: Mr Bloggins, how many minutes can you walk? One might feel that they have to give an answer in "minutes." If you do give a specific answer in minutes.....then perhaps give and best case, worse case scenario.......sometimes I can walk for 15 minutes and sometimes I can only walk for two!

Riddick

if a vets claim for DEC is more mental than physical related, is a physician still required to fill out those ability to work forms....? What if a vet doesn’t have a family dr.? And is a psychologist satisfactorily or must it be a psychiatrist, what if a vet is being attended to by a psychologist and has no psychiatrist...?

by **Kramer** Sat 27 Oct 2018, 09:54

I agree with Rex....it's because people who are applying for DEC usually do not "have their shit together," that explaining things in general terms is sometimes the best they/we can do. If a person is considering DEC their memory/concentration may be compromised as well. Many times a person's well-being or QOL changes on a daily basis.....sometimes a person might be able to walk 10-15 min and sometimes only for 2 min; perhaps because of .......say......pain. To remember all the variables within the equation of health is not easy to do when a person has mental issues. Add consequential problems to the mix! If you honestly do not know.....say ....you do not know. Sometimes a person asking the questions will lead you on, like: Mr Bloggins, how many minutes can you walk? One might feel that they have to give an answer in "minutes." If you do give a specific answer in minutes.....then perhaps give and best case, worse case scenario.......sometimes I can walk for 15 minutes and sometimes I can only walk for two!

Riddick

by Supremedebater Fri 26 Oct 2018, 22:23

bigrex wrote:All I can suggest is to keep things in general terms. Like say during the exam you stated that you can walk for 10-15 minutes, before needing to rest. So if your CM asks how long you can walk, just say several minutes, and it varies day by day. That way, you're not having to remember exactly what you stated, but you're not really contradicting yourself either.

If you say "several minutes" enjoy your time on earnings loss because saying "several minutes" opens the door for them to say "oh several minutes...that's great, you can walk for a while then and say goodbye to dec. Because if your not actually quoting a number or distance, your hanging your self. Bad advice Rex. If you can't remember what you are saying then maybe rethink going on dec. Because you should know your limitations. As well, you had better have your sh*t together going in and all your i's dotted and t's crossed. Giving two separate answers loads the gun they will use. That you can take to the bank. Good luck

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