Additional Assistance And Relief During VA Disability Claims
Filing a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be a very frustrating process, especially when you're in dire pain or disabled without assistance. Whether due to the ongoing claim backlogs and wait times or an erroneous denial placed on your claim, you may have quite a few months ahead of you before receiving any good news. As you work through the claims process, consider a few ways to get some extra help from the VA while avoiding potentially dangerous traps that could make matters worse.
Easing Pain Can Make The Process Feel Easier
Paperwork can be even worse when you're in pain, so instead of struggling through the process while suffering, you can visit the VA for some assistance to make the claim process less painful.
As long as you have submitted a claim or appeal for VA disability compensation, you have an active reason to visit VA clinics and hospitals. Even though the wait time is long, you'll need the VA hospitals to perform at least some of your medical examinations. There are two routes you can take to get some early pain relief.
The first route is to sit and wait at a clinic. The wait time depends on your area, but the VA clinic staff should be able to tell you if there may be a long or short wait. Basic pain relief medication can be given, or if the doctor notices much more extreme pain issues, strong prescriptions may be written.
Your second option is to wait for your Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam. The exam may take a long time depending on your local VA hospital's queue, but you can arrive on time for your regularly scheduled appointment and ask for pain relief treatment without such a long risk of waiting.
Make Sure A Legal Professional Is On Your Side
Unfortunately, these techniques sometimes works too well. Veterans are sometimes given prescription narcotics simply by asking for them; an issue that has been abused, reported on by national news and continues with a few safeguards in place.
This could land you in a difficult situation depending on how it's handled. You may end up requiring addiction therapy, or depending on if the prescription was requested and given, you may have to deal with an abuse accusation and the legal problems to follow.
As you work through the process, you should seek the advice of a personal injury lawyer like Richard M Altman. Within every examination and opinion, there could be something that the VA is doing wrong or not properly assisting you with. Using the potential prescription drug abuse issue, your lawyer can advise you on whether or not to use the medication by consulting other medical professionals in the injury field.
Without a lawyer, it's your word against the mistake (or malicious intent) of VA personnel. The information can be documented and challenged faster than waiting for the claim system's waiting line to reach you, and you can demand better treatment by applying legal pressure. To keep your best interests at the front of the line and defend yourself against abuse, contact a personal injury lawyer.
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