Veterans Affairs disability evaluation - what is your experience?

2015-10-31T13:27:08-04:00

Where I live in Northern Virginia the VBA coordinates evaluations through an organization called QTC based in Philadelphia. They coordinate with me and the doctors offices who conduct evaluations.
QTC has generally been very professional and efficient in scheduling and the doctors have been very professional in conducting the evaluations. I know that Veterans Affairs seems to be more efficient and professional in some areas than others.
How has your evaluation process been conducted?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 31 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-10-31T13:35:16-04:00

I have generally had very good treatment by QTC for cardiology, orthopedic, dermatology, etc. for the past 6 years. I was pleasantly surprised when I had a travel reimbursement check waiting for me at my first evaluation appointment. Each coordination process went well and the doctors, nurses and technicians conducting tests were professional.
Right now I have two appointments in two different places within 30 minutes of each other. This has never happened before. My heart was diagnosed with two more conditions over the summer and i understand there is an effort to update my rating.
In addition to the two appointments I got a standard set of forms to respond to an unspecified evaluation process with appropriate medical information. My appointments are for next Thursday and I have to wait until Monday to call the office to straighten out the appointment schedule.
I am glad my doctors are pushing the issues and realize too much activity is better than none at all.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Oct 31 at 2015 1:38 PM

2015-10-31T13:38:44-04:00

My experience with the VA has been excellent overall. If there is one criticism, it would be the time frame for decisions. In general, decisions need to take no longer than 30-45 days. That's my opinion, it may be a little unreasonable but you get the point.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-10-31T13:42:36-04:00

QTC is who does the evaluations here in my area also. They seem to be pretty fair in most cases.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Oct 31 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-10-31T14:56:42-04:00

My complaint would not be with the VA evaluation process, it was extremely professional and my docs were very good. I have heard that the process is ridiculously long if you file a claim after you get out (if you didn't go through a MEB).

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Oct 31 at 2015 4:32 PM

2015-10-31T16:32:19-04:00

Good eval. The provider didn't have much detail from VA. Seems VA wants the "independent" assessment. Unfortunately in many cases, the provider doesn't allot the hours that is needed to review 20, 30, 40 years of medical issues. In my case, I brought along a small folder of some very critical medical exams, not many pages, I think less than 10. The provider didn't want the folder, but I indicated that I expected that, but it would make me feel better if I did. If only for them to shred them after I leave. My hope/expectation is that as they begin the write up that curiosity will get the better of them or maybe they hope to find a clarifying comment for something I told them in the exam that they look at my folder. Whether or not they did, whether or not my condition met the standard, my rating was appropriate. While I would have liked more, I also didn't want to wish myself into a more serious health condition. So, I'm grateful.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 31 at 2015 6:16 PM

2015-10-31T18:16:27-04:00

Mine was OK. Funny thing was the "No Firearms" sign at the DR office who had the contract to do the evals. I figured I was a 40% given the record as stuff showed up after I punched out and Lord knows VA will avoid connecting any dots. Got the 40% which was about right but the mix was backwards. 30% for something that doesn't bother me and 10% for the thing that hurts every day. Oh well, I just moved on.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 2 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-11-02T12:19:34-05:00

[11/2/2015 Update] I give QTC an A for effort. I have received two packets from them [Friday and Saturday] which conflict because they are 30 minutes apart at different locations. I called them this morning and they confirmed I see an internal medicine doctor on this Thursday and they will let me know when the echocardiogram, EKG are rescheduled for. The QTC reps are always polite and respectful to me.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Nov 13 at 2015 9:19 PM

2015-11-13T21:19:23-05:00

Its been slow but when you finally get an exam it seems mostly decent, only a few exams I had to shake my head at because it was just going in for vital signs, or to talk to a psych doctor about my TBI who asked a few generic questions and never examined me.
I think it just depends on the area you live in and as we all know the VA is very much a hit or miss organization.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Nov 14 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-11-14T10:40:39-05:00

Initially, there was a typical 4-6 month wait for the eval...... then several years later they ruled on a challenge I had about the eval (the Shrink didn't do his job very well). I started with 10%, a year later it was upped to 30%, 5 years after the initial eval it went to 40%. The Shrink is no longer around as my challenge was directed at him. It is a struggle to deal with the VA.

I recently was given 60%.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Nov 30 at 2015 7:23 AM

2015-11-30T07:23:44-05:00

Poor! I have back problems and the Dr. just looked at my back. No x-rays. Ankle was operated on and diagnosed with osteoporosis before leaving the Navy. no x rays. Constant ringing in the ear received 10%. Hand and arm pain. Carpal Tunnel. No x-ray, but evidence from 2 doctors confirming this. Denied all except the ringing. Put a NOD (Notice of Disagreement )in January 2015. Still waiting!

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Nov 30 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-11-30T13:03:17-05:00

It's been a while but, upon my retirement from the AF, the VA, apparently set up 2 evaluations (hearing, and back/knee) without telling me about the appointments, so I missed them. Interestingly enough had no problem contacting me to tell me the claims were denied without further evaluation. Fortunately, each item was added to my disability paperwork with 0% disability assigned to them as well as 10% for HBP.

Response by PO1 Kenneth Cardwell made Dec 30 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-12-30T21:50:17-05:00

Five years of fighting. Denied and Re-opened cases when I show them records from my service medical record. Did not occur during active service or no record that it happen. Yes you lost hearing, but no proof military service caused that problem. No X rays for back problems. Just a Va doctor watching u walk around. Sleep apena. Denied. sleep problems, joint pains, memory loss. You are just getting old. High blood problems. Yes but 0%. bad feet from 22 years of wearing boots and bad navy shoes. Oh well! NOD over 1 years and still nothing!