Abundant C&P assists Veterans in applying for Compensation and Pension benefits.
With the updated streamlined process of Decision Ready Claims, a complete claim (military service treatment records, current medical records, disability based questionnaires, and nexus opinion) can get an answer within 30 days.
Although DBQs can be completed by any provider with a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, more weight is given to specialists and those specifically trained in military and compensation exams. Many Veterans complain that their C&P exam was done in less than 10 minutes, had no hands on exam, no use of proper tools for testing and measuring parameters requested on the DBQs, no review of records, and no write up or Nexus opinion, hence the denial or negative outcome of the claim.
Abundant C&P examiners are trained in active listening skills to capture the Veteran’s history of the condition, thorough completion of DBQs, how to review records and how to write Nexus opinions that result in desired outcomes of increased or new service connection.
About the Doctor
Dr. Nicole Edwards is a board certified Family Medicine Physician, Compensation & Pension Examiner, Public Speaker, Health Educator, Weight Loss and Wellness Expert, Concierge Medicine Physician, TV and Radio Medical Consultant, and Minister.
Dr. Nicole attended Oral Roberts University where she obtained a B.S. in pre-med psychology. Though she knew she wanted to eventually be a doctor, she obtained 2 M.A. Degrees in Professional Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy while studying for the MCATs. Dr. Nicole worked as a therapist doing family, individual, couple, and play therapy. She worked for the Family Sexual Abuse Treatment Program doing therapy with families ravaged by the effects of sexual abuse.
As much as she enjoyed her work as a therapist, Dr. Nicole still felt pulled to the field of medicine, her true calling. She graduated with her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine degree from New York College Of Osteopathic Medicine.
She completed internship and residency at Palmetto Health Richland where she completed specialized training in women’s health. She worked in rural SC as a National Health Service Scholar as a family medicine physician and did women’s health care. Because of the population of her patients, she went on to obtain more training in treating diabetes and hypertension with the latest medications and methods.
Dr. Nicole works for various community based clinics and urgent cares treating all medical conditions, doing procedures, and doing wellness exams on men, women, and children of all ages. She opened Abundant Life Concierge in 2017, specializing in health and wellness for Pastors, congregations, and busy professionals. Since 2012, she has worked as a Compensation & Pension Examiner for the VA, becoming well versed in the terminology and requirements to complete Disability Based Questionnaires.
In November 2017, VA Compensation & Pension sustained budget cuts which limited the ability to contract physicians to complete C&P exams. Dr. Nicole did a C&P DBQ for one of her private patients, and his rating went from 30% to 80%. He began referring his colleagues for Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and Abundant C&P was brought to life.
Dr. Nicole is an active media medicine consultant and personality and has been on multiple radio and tv shows, including her monthly Talk With the Doc segment on the local radio station. She speaks at local churches and health fairs, and has a weekly interactive show “Talk With The Doc” on the internet currently.