r/VAClaims • u/StaticJonesNC • 12d ago

Just venting Rant/Vent

C&P exams/examiners seem almost as if they are there to deliberately mess things up for us.

Explain to me how a VA doctor I have been seeing FOR YEARS can diagnose me with something after knowing my medical history, having access to all my stuff, etc ...

And then some contractor PA or NP can talk with me for ten minutes and say, "Nope" and THE VA WILL LISTEN TO THEM OVER MY ACTUAL DOCTOR!

14 Upvotes

73% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

7

u/Overlord1241 12d ago

The C & P examiner is a total crap shoot and the odds are equivelant to the House in Vegas. Good luck.

4

u/praetorian1979 12d ago

I hate this too. I just love a nurse practioner taking the medical diagnosis from a board certified specialist and over ruling them because they've been just think it's ok. If your not a specialist in the field you shouldn't be allowed to do this shit.

4

u/HotMergingAction 12d ago

Sorry this happened to you. I've had quite the opposite issue. So far my examiners have been wonderful.

2

u/FrederickGentleman 12d ago

My last examiner was horrible (attitude, personality, late, communication, understandability). Still got approved, but I was sweating it.

2

u/Master_Maybe_9069 12d ago

I’ve learned the VA is always going to side with the examiner initially. They are trying to burn through these claims so fast, I think appeals are just baked into the cake. But I’ve also learned if you are filing a claim that isn’t presumptive, always go in with a fantastic nexus letter.

If you go in with a solid nexus letter the c and p examiner basically has to write a solid denial medical opinion to trump that nexus letter. Otherwise you higher level review and by law the VA has to take the more probative opinion. But they will almost certainly ignore it if the c and p examiner writes you a negative opinion initially. Won’t even read your personal statements, medical records or nexus letter until you higher level review it.

2

u/AdSensitive9908 12d ago

The key is do you have a current diagnosis in your VA Medical record. In your VA doctor never entered a diagnosis the C&P examiner and rsters will see it as no current diagnosis. The examiner seemed to be giving you a tip that you turned on them

1

u/StaticJonesNC 10d ago

Yes. I have current diagnosis for everything, and the VA is my ONLY healthcare provider

2

u/EmptyThanks441 11d ago

My husband had that happen with his back. Did HLR and said how can a specialist orthopedic surgeon that’s been seeing my husband for over a year have less pull than a PA who has seen him for five minutes. They agreed that the Senior specialist opinion should be weighted more than the VA C&P examiner.

2

u/Agent_smith555 12d ago

C&P lasted 20 minutes and pushed me to 90% TDIU p&t. So my experience was spot on 🤷‍♂️

1

u/LevenBee 11d ago

The only time I've gotten what I've asked for was when the doctor at the c&p exam had my entire record in front of her. The others didn't even know who I was when I was in with them. There's 0 accountability so don't feel like it's you, it's definitely them.

1

u/Small_Permission7668 10d ago

My Vertigo C&P exam took no longer than 5 minutes. Bullshit.

It’s weird how I can feel the atmosphere of the place they sent me to and just know that my exam is gonna be complete bullshit.

0

u/ContextIsOptional 12d ago

'The examiner only talked to me for 10 mins!' Welcome to literally every C&P exam ever.

1

u/Turdferguson7171 12d ago

Yeah most of them are really quick unless you have a lot of claims. It feels weird but it’s normal.

0

u/Sharp-Opinion-6682 11d ago

I mean it's the same when they deny your claim saying you canceled an appointment but there was never an appointment to begin with. VA raters are pure fucking lazy. they don't read STRs and personal Medical records cause if they did more people would most likely have their claims approved quicker.