Must see VA doctor?

[Melcal]

Greetings and heartfelt thanks for this website!

Am assisting family member with application. Vet is in
Kansas, and has advanced Parkinson's. Was told by VA
personnel in Kansas that, "In Kansas, the Vet must be
seen by VA doctor who will complete the Physician's
Statement form and submit it to VA for the Vet."

Our family has already requested that our Vet's
Parkinson's physician complete the two-page physician's
form, and that is what we planned to submit with
the Aid & Attend. application.

Is this Kansas VA doctor "requirement" something that
any of the members have heard of?  We would prefer
the Vet not be stressed with "another appt." to go to
if it is not necessary.  Thank you to all members for
any input on this one.  Most sincerely!

[vetadmin]

Just curious if this is something that was "told" to the veteran, or if they received something in writing?

You do not have to see a VA doctor to complete the Physician's Statement in the state of KS or any place else; however, the VA has been pusing back a little bit on some applications, and sending a letter stating that the veteran or widow does have to be seen by a VA doctor.  If you get this letter, you do have to comply with the "request".

[Melcal]

Dear VetAdmin.,
   Thank you for your response to my question concerning
need for Vet to be seen by VA doctor. To clarify for you,
my family member (spouse of Vet) was told in a telephone
call that the Vet would have to be seen by a VA doctor.
The spouse spoke with a man at the local regional VA office, 
who supposedly is "in charge of" the Aid & Attend. pension
benefits at that office. The spouse had been given this man's
phone number and called him to ask a few questions. It came
up in the phone call that the Vet is scheduled to see their own
Parkinson's specialist, who will gladly fill out the Physician's
Statement for the Vet. This is when this man told Vet's spouse
that "In Kansas the Vet has to be seen by a VA doctor..."
We will proceed with obtaining the Physician's Statement from
the Vet's Parkinson's physician! After the app. is submitted, if
the VA office in St. Louis, MO comes back and says the Vet
must be seen by VA doctor then OK...we will do that if
instructed by letter. Again my thanks to you for your response
and for this most helpful website!  I do like the new look, too!

P.S.  Am a Medical Social Worker who was lucky enough to come
across your website in 2007, and have found your site to be so
very informative/helpful in guiding my clients (Vet hospice patients) 
to obtain this benefit. "They" thank you and I, too, thank you!  M. 

[vetadmin]

You are most welcome, and thank you for your very kind words.  It is hearting to know that my efforts have allowed you to help others who otherwise would not have known.

Thank you for stepping up in your capacity to make a difference.

I am assuming that since you have been on the site since 07, you know the proper way to mail, and the correct mailing address for the Pension Center that handles applications for the state of KS.  If you need the address just let me know.

Thanks for noticing our updated look, and I would be very interested in knowing if that letter ever comes.