Hello Everyone. I pray that all has been well with you since I have been gone. I started a new job recently and I've been consumed with learning what it is that I'm supposed to do so that I can do a good job. I recently found that this same type of studying needs to take place before you go for your Claims & Pension (C&P) Exam. While this information is in no way intended to help anyone cheat the system, it is very necessary for anyone who has a scheduled exam or who may want to apply for VA disability some time in the future.
One of the ways many people study is to check the CFR38 online at http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/bookc.asp. Unfortunately, for me I was adding Fibromyalgia to my already approved lower back pain and I could not locate anything regarding Fibromyalgia in the CFR38 manual, so I had to do my studying by Googling it and just remembering all the things I've learned about Fibromyalgia from my doctor.
So anyway, I had my C&P exam on Friday and I truly believe that the doctor who examined me thought I was stupid or ill-informed or maybe even both. One thing that anyone who has been diagnosed with Fibro knows is that the doctor will touch specific areas of your body known as "pain points". If you experience pain when you are touched in these areas it's a pretty good indicator that you are suffering from Fibro.
Two of these points are on your wrist and your ankle. When I told her that it hurt when she touched me there she said that she was only checking my pulse. Another area is across your upper chest and neck. When I told her it hurt when she touched there she said she is just checking my clavicle. You also have these pain points on your upper back and buttocks, so when she tapped her way up my entire backside I again let her know that it hurt when she touched me in these spots, and as a matter of fact it hurts when someone applies even light pressure to any part of my body.
What really cracked me up is when she asked me what pain medication I take. When I told her I use Ibruprofen and Tylenol, she asked me did I take it as needed. Yes I take it as needed, which is everyday. That's why the doctor told me to alternate the pain meds so the Ibruprofen doesn't cause damage to any of my other organs. Although I haven't seen what she has written up I'm sure it will be interesting.
So being the writer that I am, I immediately wrote a letter regarding my C&P experience and uploaded it to eBenefits. I advise any of you that have any type of experience in your exam that you do not agree with to do this. I really feel as if she was trying to find a way to say that I didn't have Fibro based on the exam. In addition to the CFR38, study up on your condition. Know what makes it worse and know how it hasn't worsened since you were first diagnosed with it. Don't give them any room to attempt to pull the wool over your eyes. You deserve your compensation - don't let them cheat you.
As always, thank you for your support.
TTYL - Be blessed!!
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