A & A examination

[anniegoonie]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if anyone else hasgone through this... here is my  husbands story.

We applied for A & A a little over a year ago... after much paperwork and phone calls he now has an appt this friday with an VA doctor for a 6 hour examination 
WOW  6 hours the lady said minimum... I guess my question is... is this the standard??? And, what do they do, just some medical and mental tests???

HOw long after the examination  should it take for us to hear back of their decision.      My next BIG concern is my husband won't be able to physically or mentally last that long for a 6 hour examination... he is only able to stay awake for about 1.5 hours at a time..   I guess this examination will work to our benefit then???

Any shared experience would be appreciated.

thank you
Anne

[vetadmin]

Annie,

My first question would be is why is he seeing a VA doctor?  Do you not have a family physcian or is all his medical through the VA?

There is NO reason for this to take 6 hours.  There is a simple Physcian's Statement that gets submitted with the applicaiton for A&A that a family doctor could fill out in a matter of minutes based on the patient's history.

[anniegoonie]

All his medical is through the VA... his VA dr has filled out the physicans statement last year and it was sent along at the time of application.

HIs examination appt is at the VA with a Dr that I have not heard of... maybe it is an indepentant Dr that the VA has hired?? I do know this "examination" is in the "pension building"

If it matters we are in Michigan.  NOw I am really confused. lol.

thank you for your time.

anne

[vetadmin]

Annie,

To be truthful with you, this has all the earmarks of a "delay tactic" given that the form was completed for the application.  I think you should call and question why the physical is being done.  He is not being evaluated for "disability service related compensation.  A&A is a "Pension Benefit" not dependent upon service related injuries, so the need for a 6+ hour exam is a waste of everyone's time and not necessary.  There has to be some confusion here on the VA's part for what he has filed for, and think a phone call is more than appropriate.

[anniegoonie]

well hmmm...

when I called the "regional" office about 2 weeks ago, they told me a physical examination was being requested.... since we haven't been through this process before, we thought it was "normal" now I am questioning it....
I know that they have asked for the same info over and over again over the year... the last time I called them I was upset and asked them if they were waiting for my husband to die so they wouldn't have to do anything....he is progressively getting worse on a weeky basis... might have been rude and cold of me, but, sheesh HOW long does it take to get ANY response??!!

I just re-read the letter they sent requesting the physical... it says compensation and pension exam.... 

Another question if you are not too tired of me..    HOW do they determine how much money you receive is there a formula they follow??

thank you for you time I really appreciate it... I am like alot of others very frustrated.

Anne

[vetadmin]

"Compensation" is the key word here.  He is not filing for compensation!  He has filed for a "Pension" benefit.  You need to speak with someone who has some clue as to what is going on and there is NO reason for this to have taken this long to get the pension awarded.

As to how the VA figures out the pension, visit this link to give you an idea of that process.

http://www.vetassist.org/eligibility.htm Once you understand your "countable" income you should have a better idea of how he will qualify from an income vs expenses standpoint.

[anniegoonie]

thank you for all your guidance.

I will try and get "through" to someone that has a clue... but when you call it seems like all they say is it is pending ... I am sooo tired of all this.

  THe situation my husband is in physically and mentally is hard enough ... the stress of this waiting and run around is so needless in my small opinion. But, you don't want to dare say anything wrong in case the system gets angry with you and puts a big stamp of denied on your file.   

It is to the point where he can hardly walk without falling or almost falling. His short term memory is pretty much gone, he says inappropiate things, as well as not being able to remember words for objects. You can have a conversation with him and in five minutes he has forgotten it and you have the same conversation again and again.... you give him his meds and as soon as he swallows them he asks you if he has taken them. His pain from his neuropathy is horribe, he takes 15 pain meds daily alone including methadone. 

My heart breaks for this man, my husband and best friend.  Why can't they read the paper work call the dr even.  hmmm maybe someone from the determination office needs to come and spend a week with some of these vets and see how it really is...??  I know there is more then one file on their desk, but, come on.  OK sorry for the vent... time to count my blessing and remember my cup is half full.   

thank you for everything.
hugs Anne

[pologal1979]

a VA examination is ordered when the medical evidence of record is not sufficient to rate the veteran for entitlement to aid and attendance.  they are looking for medical information showing that the veteran is not able to be independent in his activities of daily living.  he may not have any thing in his VA records about that.

i would submit medical evidence from his personal doctor explaining

1. what he is diagnosed with
2. why and how this effects his ability to dress, bathe, etc.
3. a statement from the doctor with his opinion regarding the veterans need for the aid and attendance of another individual.