VA disability cases are won and loss based on the medical evidence. That is why there are tips and tricks a Veteran should use when determining the importance of their medical evidence. In this post I will share with you five tips to maximizing your medical evidence. By using these tips you will increase the likelihood of your success.
Tip 1: know your medical professional: make sure you understand that certain medical professionals carry more weight when it comes to reviewing their data. When comparing medical doctors with nurse practitioners it is important to analyze the weight of your evidence against the qualifications of that professional. We have a network of doctors we work with to assist veterans.
Tip 2: know the magic language: even if you have the “right” doctor, you still must make sure that the doctor puts the “right” language in your records. Failure to properly diagnose or connect the disability with an in service event can destroy your case.
Tip 3: Seek proper treatment: While medical evidence of a disability is important, your records need to be supplemented with making sure you follow the advice of a doctor. This strengthens your credibility. Thus, if you claim PTSD but never obtain any treatment for PTSD how likely will your claim be taken seriously?
Tip 4: Connection: Many veterans believe that if they have a diagnosis that they are good to go. That is not true. A veteran must not only obtain the diagnosis but also obtain the proper connection between the diagnosis and something that occurred in service. A challenge indeed!
Tip 5: Review records: Your doctor cannot help you if you do not help the doctor. No doctor will give you a diagnosis or connection without looking at your medical history. Medical records history is important for purposes of looking at prior symptoms. As an example, PTSD wasn’t even recognized until 1980s. Vietnam era veterans often had symptoms of PTSD for their combat but PTSD wasn’t recognized then. Thus, a current doctor could look at some of your symptoms and surmise or opine about your current PTSD diagnosis or level of disability from the history. That is why your medical history is so important to doctors and the VA.
These are just a few tips for veterans to consider when developing their medical evidence for their disability claim. The best way to properly handle your medical evidence is to seek the advice of an accredited represented. Justice begins at the Justice Legal Group. www.lawyershelpingwarriors.com.
Until Next Time,
David A. Standridge
