Question:
I submitted a claim for hearing loss late in 2020. The VA scheduled me for a C & P exam with an independent audiologist in January of 2021. I requested his report from the VA. After after 4 FOIA's and the help from my senator, I got his report. I scheduled an exam with a private ENT (former VA doctor and ENT). He conducted an exam in May of 2021. I informed him I needed an IMO from him and he provided me with one. I submitted another supporting claim with this information. Now, the VA has scheduled me for another C & P exam, potentially with the same ENT doctor I met with in January for my first C & P exam. What are my options? I've prepared a list of questions for the same ENT specialist.
Jim's Reply:
While I get how frustrating all this is, your only option is to cooperate with VA by showing up to any exams they schedule for you and then following the instructions you're offered.
What's happening to you isn't particularly unusual and you'll have to break out an extra ration of patience as you go forward. I won't make excuses for VA but the fact is that the pandemic has their work running further behind than ever and the work product isn't up to the usual low standard.
Once you fussed about the original C & P exam VA went into defensive mode and this is what happens. Your new IMO now must be seen by a VA examiner so that comments from all sides can be made for the record.
If you'll cooperate, let the new examiner (or if the same examiner, be polite, etc.) know about the IMO and so on, I would imagine it won't be much longer before you see your new decision in your favor. Good luck sir.