Veterans Benefits Network-C&P Exam through VA Contractor "QTC Medical Services" (2024)

Hello,
I'm currently rated 30% for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I recently filed a claim to request an increase. I had my regular C&P physical exam on 10/23/17 and my psych exam on 11/20/17 through a VA contracted company called "QTC Medical Services".

I just received my decision letter and am angry, frustrated, and confused. The VA increased my major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder to 100% as of 10/23/17 (date of my exam). They then knocked it back down to 30% as of 11/20/17 (the date of my psych exam). WTF??
The way I interpret this is that the regular VA doctor who conducted my regular C&P health exam on 10/23/17 felt that my disability was so severe to warrant a 100% rating. Then 4 weeks later on 11/20/17, the person who conducted my psych exam (through QTC Medical Services) decided that I was miraculously cured and recommended my rating be reduced from 100% back down to 30%. Seriously????

The psych exam I received through QTC was an absolute joke! It only lasted about 15 - 20 minutes. The guy was rude, condescending, and acted like I was wasting his time. Has anybody else out there dealt with this company??

How on earth is it possible for an examiner from an outside contracted company spend 15-20 minutes interviewing me...have the authority to trump and override the decision and recommendations of the VA doctor who did my initial C&P health exam and my personal therapist who I've been seeing for 7 years now???!

If anyone out there can explain this to me...I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

Nipper69 wrote:Hello,
I'm currently rated 30% for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. I recently filed a claim to request an increase. I had my regular C&P physical exam on 10/23/17 and my psych exam on 11/20/17 through a VA contracted company called "QTC Medical Services".

I just received my decision letter and am angry, frustrated, and confused. The VA increased my major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder to 100% as of 10/23/17 (date of my exam). They then knocked it back down to 30% as of 11/20/17 (the date of my psych exam). WTF??
The way I interpret this is that the regular VA doctor who conducted my regular C&P health exam on 10/23/17 felt that my disability was so severe to warrant a 100% rating. Then 4 weeks later on 11/20/17, the person who conducted my psych exam (through QTC Medical Services) decided that I was miraculously cured and recommended my rating be reduced from 100% back down to 30%. Seriously????

The psych exam I received through QTC was an absolute joke! It only lasted about 15 - 20 minutes. The guy was rude, condescending, and acted like I was wasting his time. Has anybody else out there dealt with this company??

How on earth is it possible for an examiner from an outside contracted company spend 15-20 minutes interviewing me...have the authority to trump and override the decision and recommendations of the VA doctor who did my initial C&P health exam and my personal therapist who I've been seeing for 7 years now???!

If anyone out there can explain this to me...I would very much appreciate it. Thanks!

Sounds like the QTC doctor I had. I've resubmitted for re-evaluation increase in benefits, VA Psych doctor endorsed, they told my wife my current mental state doesn't match my percentage. Probably going to same QTC and probably the same QTC Psych doctor. I'm going to give them hell this time around.

I already submitted my NODF to appeal the decision. Will be interesting to see if they change anything.
If nothing changes, it's time to start contacting my Senators and Congressman. This QTC is a joke!

I went to the QTC doc located in Minneapolis, MN. Judging from the looks on the faces of the other 2 vets who came out while I was in the waiting area, they weren't happy campers either.

Nipper69: My C&P was with QTC on September 20, 2017. I can say with absolute certainty the female examiner was NOT listening to me as I shared with her my background. She kept mixing up the history; I tried to correct her, but she seemed more interested in completing the exam. The exam did last one hour.

For me, the turning point was when she asked me what my 'symptoms' are: I didn't know how to answer her so I told her I don't understand the symptoms. Instead of providing me with an example of what she was asking for, she just kept asking "What are your symptoms". Because I am not a psychologist, not even a medical doctor, I tried to explain the best I could what I was feeling... I had explained to her how nervous I felt for this exam, I tried to describe for her what I feel occurs when I am in public; I tried... I tried to explain to her how difficult I find it to express my thoughts verbally. I do a lot better when writing them out in private.

Based on her finding that I was only exhibiting 'some of the symptoms of PTSD', my claim for PTSD was denied. Now, I am forced to take the long road of "Appeals". This is not nearly as funny as it sounds since I initially applied for disability back in 1973 --- At that time, the C&P exam I attended was not for my initial claim... the initial claim was never closed but has been "open" since then.

Now, perhaps 5 - 7 years longer for the appeals process to work, eh?

I sincerely hope you have more success with your claim.

Ray

"When arguing with a fool, you should first be sure the other person isn't doing the same thing."

H&S Company (1968 - 1969)
3rd Battalion/28th Marines
5th MarDiv
San Mateo area, Camp Pendleton, California

Sorry you didn't have the same experience as I did with QTC. My Psyc. Dr. was real good. I was expecting what you all went through. He didn't go off script of the DBQ questionnaire at all. He was able to calm me down and assure me everything is going to fine. He knew anxiety was at the max. The exam was over in 30 mins. When he was done with the DBQ he even recommended some therapy approaches which work well for his patients. I don't think they have too or are supposed to do that. He was impressed about the books I read and approach to managing ptsd, anxiety, and mdd. It showed I was genuinely trying to manage it after 25 years of denying and hiding it; which took it's toll. Heck I would have him as my therapist if he wasn't so far away.

My VA C & P was similar to what you went through. Dr. was a jackass. I think it really depends on the Dr. you get. My experience with two QTC examiners is what I would want for my future C & P's.

I believe where I went wrong during my C&P was not understanding I should have been able to diagnosis my own symptoms. Since I didn't/couldn't adequately describe all of my feelings, my fears, my reactions, attitudes, etc, the examiner felt I didn't have all of the qualifying symptoms for PTSD. If I could do it over, I would have a laundry list prepared in advance. I would ask my Vet Center therapist for more input regarding my counseling sessions.

After discovering the VBN, I would now be more prepared for a do-over. Ah, well; such is the turns of life. I had my one-hour shot C&P with my life-in-the-balance and hoped for the best. So much hangs on that one-hour interview with a stranger...

Ray

"When arguing with a fool, you should first be sure the other person isn't doing the same thing."

H&S Company (1968 - 1969)
3rd Battalion/28th Marines
5th MarDiv
San Mateo area, Camp Pendleton, California

I was always sent to QTC for EVERY exam except one for an appeal remand. I NEVER had any problems with any of the examiners. I guess QTC in Alexandria, VA may be diffefent than other locations. There, they care about vets and IF the evidence proves your disability that it works well.

Anyone can tell an examiner anything, but the medical evidence if it proves the point cannot be pushed to the side. People forget that many of these doctors have heard it all, and are pretty good at reading some claimants. Not saying this is your case.

Retired TopKick
100% P&T + SMC-K
SSDI (Now converted to Regular Retirement)
United States Army Retired (1974-2002)

"Never Make Anyone a Priority Within Your Life Who Makes You an Option in Theirs!"

Forget about QTC for a moment. From what you said I am guessing that you were notified by mail that you were rated at 100% then later that you had been reduced. In between, did you receive notice that a rating reduction was being proposed? Were you notified that you had thirty days to request a hearing and that you had 60 days to submit evidence? If not, it is very probable that you had due process violations that could very well get the whole reduction overturned.

If you filed an NOD and plan on defending your position based on your current level of disability rather that attacking the due process violations then you really need to get an experienced VSO.