The information contained in this website is general legal information and not legal advice on any legal subject. It is no substitute for the services of a

competent professional attorney experienced in these matters. This information is subject to change at any time due to new legislation or new court cases.

Some thoughts about attending a QTC exam.

The Winston-Salem Regional Office has a habit of scheduling a VA or QTC medical examination and opinion after the veteran has submitted strong medical evidence of a service- connected disability and evidence of an increased disability reating. These exams are questionable ands deceitful after the veteran has proven his case. The Winston-Salem Regional refuses or delays the veteran's request for the most recent VA or QTC exam and the hypothetical questions posed until after the Regional Office issues a denial.

A GUIDE FOR VETERANS FACING QTC EXAMS:

          1.    Make certain that you write down the full name of the physician who examines you. If the examiner is not a physician, make certain you know the examiner’s credentials. Most VA or QTC examiners are very polite while examing a veteran.

          2.    Try to obtain a business card from the examiner.

          3.    Try to find out if the examiner is Board certified in any medical field or has any specialty for which she or he is recognized or certified.

           5.    Write out the text of what you need to tell the physician about your disability and your medical condition.  Many QTC physicians politely refuse to take any information from a veteran. It is very important that you get across all symptoms of your disability to the examiner even if not asked.  Even better, you should write out the symptoms you have and give a copy of those symptoms to the examiner at the QTC examination.  Be certain to keep a copy. Use the forms at:

  Veteran's forms to prove service connected disability (PDF format)

           6.    There are honest and capable QTC physicians who candidly tell the VA about the veteran's service connection or disability limitations. Regretably, the VA medical questionnaires used by QTC and VA are not sufficiently detailed for VA adjudicators to know the seriousness of a veteran's disability. Too often, QTC or VA physicians resort to giving no opinion by stating that the VA answer required is too "speculative". In such cases, the veteran is obliged to pay for an expert opinion from a trusted private physician.

  Veteran's medical visit report for self use or submission to VA (PDF format)

           7.    Take notes during the exam as to what tests are being performed.  Physicians will usually tell you the name of the device or test used in a medical exam.

           8.    Be certain to note the time and date the exam actually began and the time that the exam ended. Most QTC exams last less then ten minutes

           9.    Ask the examiner if the examiner has a copy of your claims folder (C-File) from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.  The Department of Veterans’ Affairs always gives preference to the VA physician or QTC physician because the VA will claim that the VA or QTC physician actually read your claims folder before the examination.  The physician will not let you examine or read the claims folder, but it is appropriate to ask the physician if he has a copy of the claims folder and if she or he will show you the folder itself so that you can be confident that your name is on the file.  Please note how thick the file is.  The purpose of this information is to gather evidence about whether the examining QTC physician actually read or examined your file before the examination. Most VA or QTC examiners do not real the file, but probably examine some of the important medical records. To obtain your C-File, see:

  Veteran's form to obtain C-File (PDF format)

          10.    Please give the physician a list of your medications and a service connected rating list to place in your Veteran’s claims folder (C-File).  Please use these documents as an opportunity rather than a burden so that you can enhance your chances of the QTC physician actually knowing your condition, your medications, your symptoms, whether you work or not, and any abnormal sensations such as pain. If you have an opportunity to testify about a VA or QTC medical examination, you should tell the VA hearing official about your rejected efforts to inform the examiners.