VA Reevaluation is Nearing. What should I expect?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:06:29 -0400

The VA wants to reevaluate me and I am nervous. How many evals should I expect? If you went through the process can you give me a synopsis of what transpired? Thank You

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 18 at 2015 3:31 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:31:07 -0400

MAJ Ken Landgren I have through a few VA reevaluations. First one bumped me up from 70% to 80%. Next one didn't do anything for me. This year I developed 2 new heart conditions and my spinal issues have caused me to go to the emergency room twice in the past four months and I developed some symptoms yesterday.
Even though my VA doctors have determined that I have new cardiac issues the Evaluation side is the one that enters the information officially.
Next Tuesday I am seeing a Patient Advocate, on the recommendation of my VAS primary care doctor, to submit an update to my last reevaluation to for my heart and spine. Since this Patient Advocate is assigned to the VA Medical Center where my cardiologist and orthopedic doctors are he can get their notes and include them when he sends to the VBA side of the VA.
This is much better than having an echocardiogram and CT-Scan of the spine at both the treatment side and evaluation side a few months later - happened to me a couple times.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 18 at 2015 3:41 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:41:28 -0400

I just finished mine, and the gist was that it was like the first time, except for they were doing the initiating. If you are receiving pension/compensation for any service related injuries/illnesses that are NOT being treated by the VA, have access to/copies of treatments & visits for the VA to show continued care. It took approx 5 to 6 months and I went from 20% to 60% afterwards. Not that your results will be the same as mine, and in some cases, depending on the issue, the re-evaluation may just be a medical issues/records review, but having documentation available if needed, especially if non-VA treated, helps and makes a big difference. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes! :)

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 18 at 2015 3:49 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:49:02 -0400

I keep getting letters year after year saying I am due, but they aren't ready for my reeval yet. Very strange. I'm going to go to all my non-VA doctors and start making copies. I've had multiple surgeries since they didn't have a neurosurgeon in all of Arizona, as hard as that is to imagine.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 18 at 2015 5:56 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 17:56:13 -0400

Sounds like an advocate could be useful...

Response by PO3 Michael James made Oct 18 at 2015 6:54 PM

PO3 Michael James — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:54:23 -0400

MAJ Landgren, Sir: I have no idea.. In 2010 I personally went to VA and requested help monitoring an Aorta Aneurysm.. I was told it would take 6 months before I could see a Doctor !! I Went to a civilian Doctor instead.. A REEVAL ?? Wow, what would they do, cut me open and ask if there was ever Cancer in here ??, maybe they could count Scar Tissue.. maybe they could cut my belly open and look at my Aorta, to see if it was stretched out of shape ?? Then maybe they could cut my chest open, cut into my heart, and take an inventory of the stents present in the area of my heart.. Just what can they Re-Evaluate.. All they want to do is to delay and delay you, hoping that you will give up.. Then they can look at a bonus for themselves... They do NOT appreciate you, or your loss..

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 19 at 2015 8:05 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 08:05:22 -0400

Good luck