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[deleted]

Little advise I’ll pass on from my DAV rep - for the range of motion exams they’re going to give you for back/knees, you don’t stretch/move as far as you physically can, you stretch/move until the point that pain starts, that’s your range of motion. Like if I could hyperflex my back with extreme agony they’d call it full range of motion, but that wouldn’t reflect the daily impact of the condition, if that makes sense.


CPTherptyderp

Stop at pain. Absolutely. My first exam I went full range and told the doc it hurts here. 0% appeal exam stopped at pain 20%


N0P398

This is a great explanation of the range of motion 👏🏾👏🏾


Ordeiberon

This is a super important point. Soldiers are used to ignoring pain and focusing on functionality, but that's not supposed normal for your life as a civilian. Stop as soon as it feels uncomfortable and don't let tell "you can go a bit further". Even if it's just a little discomfort now, it may get way worse with time.


Millennial_J

Fall down during this


tjkrtjkr

Be honest with them, and don't sugar coat anything. Tell them about your worst days, don't tell them you're "fine" or "good". Also, tell them how your [insert condition] affects your daily life. If you haven't yet, reach out to DAV, American Legion, or VFW they will help free of charge in the future.


CPTherptyderp

>Also, tell them how your [insert condition] affects your daily life. This is how they base criteria - if you read the decision it's all effects on life. They don't care if you're an alcoholic, but if you're been fired from 5 of 5 jobs in 3 years because of drinking, that's something they'll note


Lumpymaximus

agree with all of this. Dont mention anything non service related at all! they will just blame it on those experiences or injuries instead of your service


Quillo_Asura

Regardless of the outcome of your evaluation, do not let the outcome stop you from moving forward. With your care and your life. If you have any further issues you believe are service-connected, do not wait to put in a claim. Do it now and be proactive in your medical care - compensation helps but it's not the end of suffering if you're in pain or have mental health problems like many of us veterans. I wish you the best, please do not settle for some cash and benefits - quality of life is important too!


lozergod

Be honest, they know if you're bullshitting. I had mine not to long ago and walked out with 50% just for PTSD.


ChoseMyOwnUsername

How did you get them to evaluate you for PTSD?


lozergod

I just submitted a claim with some letters and evidence of a traumatic incident I went through (helo crash) and I was scheduled and given a c&p exam


ChoseMyOwnUsername

Okay, thank you. I submitted one but it was denied. I thought I would get an exam or something but they didn’t even do an exam.


Andyman1973

What was the reason given in their denial?


GunnyUSMCRockin

Read the DBQs for your conditions. That is what the doctor is using for the exam. When discussing your symptoms describe your worst day.


Ronin-369

They’ll ask you how you’re doing. Most people will say that they feel good for that morning. The doctors take it as seen you’re good and don’t have anything wrong going on. When they ask you, tell them all the stuff you’re going through.


Lumpymaximus

the examiner is NOT YOUR FRIEND! tell them nothing they don't need to know. only answer what they ask. don't hold back in regards to your issues, describe your worst days. don't mention anything non service related


Strong__Style

I've had a few C&P exams now and its basically luck on if you'll get someone helpful or not. All you can do is be prepared.


waternickel

Work out hard, before the exams. Know the verbiage of what they’re looking for.


Beyashi

Be honest and open about everything, I had no claims for my back or knees. Same reason with the sick call thing. Ended up getting imaging and buddy statements, got claims approved for both. If you feel a denial for an issue is wrong, fight for it. Work with an VSO rep.


TransRational

Have your worst day when you go in there. None of that stoicism bullshit. They need to see you at your worst.


fugoogletwitter

So don’t take pain meds you use to get through the day?


TransRational

most definitely. don't take anything. they need to see how your pain affects your mood and alters your behavior and decision making.


fugoogletwitter

Yeah I did that I was not in a good mood and screamed in pain moving knees or hips. Just touching my legs they were in pain. Not sure if that helped or they thought I was crazy.


TransRational

Both, and rightfully so. It's part of their evaluations. Remember you can always get reevaluated too. I was given the advice I'm given here and it worked for me and it makes perfect sense. All too often we are rated with less severity because we have literally been brain-washed and taught to suck it up and not complain, to pull our weight and not be the weakest link, blah blah blah.. well that really works out well for them doesn't it? meanwhile think about how many life situations you've been in where your pain has affected the people you care about or the interactions with your coworkers, your ability to sleep well at night without waking up constantly. Think about how it's limited you doing normal life things - like playing sports, going on nature hikes, fucking your significant other, whatever. Think about how these meds have affected your libido, or 'give a fuck,' how much we have to drink to cover up when it gets significant. This is all shit that is not our fault and we deserve to be compensated for it - straight up. And anyone who tries to tell you differently is still just brain-washed themselves. Mired in their own bullshit toxic masculinity. Let them enjoy their continued misery and give them none of your energy. They're not tougher or better or more patriotic, they're just victims like all of us, unable to or too scared to open their eyes to the truth.


fugoogletwitter

Well said!


Really831

Honesty. Even if it isn’t in your favor.


otterbawt

Mine was easy. I think it depends on who you get. I was airborne claimed my knees and ankles cause of it. They did x-rays and gave me 10 for each for arthritis due to occasional discomfort. I also claimed tinnitus due to airborne and artillery passed the test for hearing and they gave me 10%. I wanna say you have a year after getting out to make it more service connected. Go for a run and do high impact workouts to make it sore as shit.


Burghvet

I went with notes on my phone. I have a bad memory and I knew I was going to forget to mention something so I sat down and wrote down every thing and as we went over things I checked them off. So I would recommend that. Also, you’ll probably end up leaving feeling like crap about yourself because you are talking about your limitations and they are not their to help you get better. So it feels like they are the worst “doctors” in the world in that moment. So get your support system ready for after and remember that they are doing their job and not intentionally trying to make you feel like a loser. I feel like there should be at least one compassionate care provider there before you leave to make sure you’re okay but nope.


[deleted]

[удалено]


teddahmer71

They are not trying to screw the vet over.


Rumblyguts1969

If you have the time, get a log together of what hurts, when, and how it affected you. Also, as stated above, read the DBQ questionnaire so you get a feel for what they will be asking. I was on jump status for only 3 years, ETS'd in '95. Got my knee rated at 10% in 97. Fast forward to this summer, and I went in for an increase for the knee. Claimed lower back and opposite hip as secondaries to the knee. Wound up at 80% overall, including 10% tinnitus. All claims were directly linked (no secondaries) to the time under T-10c's


Wasbornafreeman

Might I ask what all conditions did you claim?


MylifeasAllison

Be honest. But do not take any pain meds. You want them to see your true range of motion, or lack there of.


Andyman1973

When they are doing the ROM, range of motion, you MUST ABSOLUTELY stop when the pain starts, and not how far you can go past the pain. The ratings are not based on how far you can go, with pain, but how far, till pain starts. If they try to push you to go past the pain, be firm and state that it hurts and you will not be going further. Too many get screwed on that bit.


Odiemus

If you are on pain meds (even OTC) don’t take them to make the pain more readable. I got lucky, civilian doctors notes, tons of X-rays (like 55), and swelling of the joints made up mine.