Short version: I've been diagnosed and treated for a foot/feet condition since my Army days, and into my VA Health care days. I receive service-connected rating for myfeet.

So - since about1998 - I've NOT recovered or responded to treatment for the condition. Couple months ago I visited a non-VA Foot specialist. He says to me "...so Ithink I know why you haven't responded...you do not HAVE the condition for which you've been treated"

So I'm a littlestumped. As me and the new Doc go downthe path for the new diagnosis, how do I handle with the VA? <o></o

I've asked the new doctor to write up the why and the how of my wrong diagnosis; I need him to make the case for me as to why my condition (which happens to be a lot worse than what the Army/VA thought was wrong with me) could have been misdiagnosedand the evidence to the real condition. When I have this sorted I'm probably going to re-file my VA claim. Any other suggestions? I'm a little worried the VA might say "So you didn't have what we compensated you for - pay that back and we'll start you on whatever condition you really have!"

I appreciate your input (yes, that's what SHE said).

 

Hmmm, never dealt with the VA and doesn't seem like the most pleasant thing. Sorry I'm of no help but good luck. Keep us updated on the process.

 

I'd be stumped also. "Pay us back" could very well happen, would depend I guess on what the real condition is and if it is service connected, etc. That's a long time to go misdiagnosed, it may be you have a case for more compensation; keep us updated as it plays out.

 

"PAY US BACK"?

I don't see it - it makes no sence.

THE DOCTORS WHO MISTREATED THE CONDITION could conceivably be called on to hand over some funds that they billed for, but not by any means the patient - it wasn't your call.

Is it just me, or does it not seem reasonable that they ought to thank you for going out of your way and into your own pockets to find out the REAL why and how of it?

Otherwise they could go on spending incorrectly until time itself fell off a cliff...

Pay them back, yeah right! They'd be lucky if you didn't "Pay Them Back" by doing an expose on CNN, giving them a massive blackeye for being stupid.


The spin-out of the whole thing just might be that they wake up and look at some other cases - getting them right. But the bottom line is whether or not the new diagnoses and treatment WORKS.

IE: If the new Doc actually cures the ailment - you have a gigantic silver bullet. If not, it's back to square one.

~Frankly I'm pulling for your new Doctor to have hit it dead on with the first try. That would be OUTSTANDING

 

Thanks guys - one aspect; per new doc - best chance for recovery is......wait for it....





Early detection. I kid you not.


Here goes!

 

OH GREAT!

That means by missing the ball entirely - it makes it worse!!!

 

GW, by pay us back I meant it is Gov. and they always want.
I guessed early detection might be a factor is why I said maybe more compensation.
If they could have fixed you 15-17 years ago your life and earnings would have been much greater.

 

I don't see the pay back thing happening. What I do see is a whole volley of VA paid for testing to verify the new diagnosis, a new rating and hopefully a ton of back pay for you.

 

The one and only thing I hope for is that our guy comes out of it better off. A windfall could be nice, but at the back of my mind I hear two very old outlaw biker sayings echoing from the past:

1) Wish in one hand, poop in the other. Guess which one fills up first?
2) Beware the Crock O' Crap at the end of the rainbow...

I know from my own experience that whenever I owed the gov money, it got ripped right out from under me no matter what damage it did. But when they owed ME - if I had held my breath waiting, I'd still be blue around the edges.

 

Thank you all. Once my new doc gets things sorted i will re-file and see what happens.

 

It wouldn't hurt to talk to your state's veteran resources. If they are like the ones in my state they will word everything just right when you want to file for a re-evaluation. Their sole purpose is to help you get the most of your benefits. Tell them what the deal is and bring any medical records pertaining to the issue(s) that were from care outside of the VA. If I guessed right and you are in Michigan, the people you need are at https://www.michiganveterans.com/

 

If what you actually have is worse than what was diagnosed, and it's service connected, you may be the one who is eligible for back pay. You should have had a more accurate diagnosis to start with. I don't see that being your fault.