Looking for feedback on how this looks before submitt to VA for my low back Appeal (2010).
the RSD/CPRS was unexpected, but seems to me to be a plus.
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IME review please
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DBQ along with IME Letter
Ok let's try this again. I should have added the DBQ along with letter the first time. Guess I was just excited.
let me know if it will work the way it is.. Dr. Had C file, SMR civilian and VA medical records to review.
this is to much money just to throw down range and hope for the best. Thanks..
DBQ
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Pouring Money Down The Drain @ Veteran's Medical Advisor
Dr. Craig Bash has absconded with $2350.00.
Will not reply to ANY inquiries that I send.
Has dropped off the face of the earth as of June 2016.
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Dr. Craig Bash
Our condolences go out to Dr. Craig Bash for the unfortunate loss of his beloved Mother on July 24, 2016.
As he always has done on behalf of veterans; Dr. Bash showed an enormous amount of compassion, love and attention to her in the months leading up to her passing.
Our prayers are with him to find peace in knowing she is in the hands of God now.
Bless you Dr. Bash for all you do for those around you and it is great to know you are back to work helping veterans once again.
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Medical Opinions Associates, Inc.
Has anyone used Medical Opinions Associates, Inc. for an IMO? If so what was your experience and the fees. I'm trying to obtain an IMO for my sleep apnea. The current company I was dealing with has been nonresponsive as of late.
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IMO from Dr. Ellis
Morning all,
I am new to the forum but been an avid reader and learner from the posts listed here on this site as well as other sites.
My situation, I was able to get an IMO from the Ellis Clinic plus an Nexus from the VA Dr. and submitted in as a new claim and was wondering what are my chances in winning. I know every scenario is different and I review the citations as well on BVA.
Can anyone share their successes or disappointments?
P.s. Flores97 I emailed you :) I wished you well in your case.
Sincerely,
Thank you.
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Any IME/IMO in NYC ?
Hello all,
Any advise where I can find a new IME/IMO in Nyc?
Maybe someone has first hand experience.
Thank you.
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IMO from Dr. Anaise, CKD
On 8/24/2016, VARO made a decision on my Chronic kidney disease claim. They granted me a 60% rating, on CKD stage 3, and Definite decrease in kidney function. I was initially at stage 4 CKD and sick, so they put me on several medications to get my numbers to come down, well after about 45 days it drop from stage 4 failure to moderate stage 3. So I initially filed my claim back in 2004, as all of this was occurring. So I just recently filed a NOD, which states I should have been granted 80%, for stage 4 CKD.
So the C&P Examiner in 2015, never mentioned that I was ever at stage 4. So they only rated me on my now medical status, which is stage 3. So I got an IMO from Dr. Anaise, and he states: A BVA decision in a similar case dated October 26, 2012 states (David Jones, Appellant v. Eric K. Shinseki, Docket No. 11-2704):
The court holds that the Board committed legal error by considering the effects of medication on the appellant's IBS when those effects were not explicitly contemplated by the rating criteria...As this Court has made clear, the Board's consideration of factors which are wholly outside the rating criteria provided by the regulations is error as a matter of law. "Massey v. Brown, 7 Vet. App. 204, 208 (1994); see also Drosky v. Brown, 10 Vet. App. 251, 255 (1997) (finding legal error where the Board, "in essence, impermissibly rewrote" the regulation by considering factors wholly outside the rating criteria); Pemorio v. Derwinski, 2 Vet. App. 625, 628 (1992) ("In using a standard that exceeded that found in the regulation, the Board committed legal error").
Conclusion
After reviewing all of the veteran's medical and military records, it is my expert medical opinion that the veteran's service-connected renal dysfunction warrants an 80% rating. It is abundantly clear from the record that the veteran was diagnosed with stage IV renal failure with a creatinine of 4.5. It is true that the creatinine has improved once medication allowed for some recovery of kidney function. Yet, the rating specifically states that the veteran is entitle to 80% disability when his creatinine rises to 4.5, with no disclaimer to that statement.
A higher evaluation of 80% based on renal function is not warrant unless there is:
* Persistent edema and albuminuria; or, * Creatinine 4 to 8mg%; or, * BUN 40 to 80mg;
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IMO Results
Hi Comrades,
Would someone please give their insights on what they think about the following IMO:
Sorry for the longevity of it and thank you!
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John Hopkins IMO
Just found this outstanding lead for an IMO.
Departments Offering a Remote Medical Second Opinion
Currently the following Johns Hopkins departments offer medical second opinions remotely:
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Neurology & Neurosurgery
- Neuroradiology
- Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
- Pathology
- Surgery
- Urology
The Johns Hopkins Medical Second Opinion Program provides timely second opinions on from leading experts without requiring you to spend time and money on traveling.
The cost of a Johns Hopkins Medical Second Opinion is $550.
- If a pathology interpretation is required, there is an additional cost of $250.
- If a radiology interpretation is required, there is an additional cost of $250.
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George Bush Center
So my Primary doctor said since they can't help me or have failed along with my service department in evaluation of my TBI on the severity he wants to send me to the George Bush Center on TBI research.
He said he is speaking with Dr. Kelly this week so I think I may finally be properly evaluated and treated for all my injuries invisible as some are and being able to finally figure out my black out problem. I have found a VA doctor who cares about my issues and is trying to get the 1. The Va to pay for it or 2. Have the Bush center do it for free for aid in researching for them. I have yet to see a research project involving PTSD and sTBI with Post traumatic amnesia and isn't disgruntled with his system he is actually one of many in the Wilmington Delaware hospital. So if you have a choice where to be seen and are as close to philly as Delaware pick Wilmington VA. Fingers are crossed said I was a very good candidate for this project. I don't care if it's not a guarantee to be my old self but a step in the right direction.
i am so glad I left Philadelphias area where I was a dime a dozen in Delaware I can walk in at any moment if needed and be seen. I understand it's a smaller area and not a huge city. But if I were Philadelphia I'd be broken down into four sections And have a different VA facility to ensure all are helped for each section I'd break it down North South East West of the city and for the surrounding whichever region they are closer too.
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IME/IMO GEORGIA?
Hello all,
Any advise where I can find a IME/IMO in Georgia?
If not, any recommendation for IME/IMO in other states?
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Dr. David Anaise or Dr. Craig Bash for a IMO
any opinions on who is better for IMO ?
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Any Referral For Ortho or GP IMO/IME in North Florida/South Georgia
Any Referral For Ortho or GP IMO/IME in North Florida/South Georgia?
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IMO REFERRALS & REVIEWS
I want to start a thread for people to post names of IMO/IME's they have used.
THIS IS FOR GOOD AND BAD DOCS. We want to know who to go to and who to avoid (Keep in mind if your symptoms and evidence does not support a DX or SC that does not mean they are a Bad doctor, it means you havent given them what they need to do what you want)
Rules: (and Tbird/mods have final say)
1) Follow the template below, Copy and Paste
2) do not list out your whole story of your claims spanning back 20 years, keep it concise
3) If they were good or bad, list concise (ie quick and to the point) reasons why.
TEMPLATE:
COPY AND PASTE
--------------------------------------------
WHERE ARE THEY:
NAME:
WHAT IS THEIR SPECIALTY (or what you were seen for):
COST:
CONTACT:
REVIEW (keep the Yes or No, based on whats correct)
Did they review your entire file (YES) (NO) --
Did they provide a well written DBQ/IMO/IME (YES) (NO) --
Were they familiar with VA Claims (38 cfr, M21, etc) ? (YES) (NO) --
Would you classify them as "Vet Friendly" (YES) (NO) --
Would you recommend them to other veterans? (YES) (NO) --
Comments: (Be Brief)
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Claims Without C&p Exam?
Okay I have a NOD by DRO actively at the RO. I also have new claims in at the RO. I had a IMO from Dr. Bash that basically put everything together for the NOD by DRO and it linked current issues on the new claims.
On ebenefits it shows my claim status is at Review of Evidence and that means they have received all evidence. I also haven't had any C&P Exam for these new claims and one of them is IU. Is it possible that since my last C&P exam was in 2011 or Dr. Bash's IMO will trump any C&P Exam that there is no need for a C&P Exam? Has anybody ever filed a claim and never had a C&P exam because they used the IMO in lieu of the C&P Exam?
Just wondering and I am curiuous.
BTW the IMO stated I can't go back to work and I know my Voc Rehab Counselor told me she felt I could go back to work. I think he is still letting me use Voc Rehab has therapy. She is the best Voc Rehab Counselor anybody can have.
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Suggestions for and IMO/IME Lymes disease
Hello, thanks for all your past advice and encouragement.
I'd like suggestions for a physician to write and IMO and DBQ.
I got Lyme's at a two week event at Ft. McCoy. I have residuals from day one, and believe it recurred twice. I recently found receipts showing a diagnosis two-three days after I returned home- And- This: Won Appeal Lyme's Ft. McCoy thanks so Haddit!
I did try Dr. Bash, but he didn't respond.
I don't have a lot of money, so I can't afford to spend thousand(s) on an opinion/DBQ.
I got diverticulitis on day one- Where I'd never had it before. It is a current disability. I understand this may be somewhat difficult to nexus.
I may also have other issues, but I want to keep the post simple as possible.
Could someone recommend an affordable physician? Thank you again.
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Need an IMO
Is there anyone else with similar experience to Dr. Bash for VA IMOs?
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Vocational Rehab assessment & TDIU claim
Background: 90% rated
70% PTSD with C & P exam date of April 2017
20% DDD Lumbar spine
20% radiculopathy left leg
10% left knee
10% right knee
10% tinnitus
I am applying for TDIU and SSDI. Just filed both as of two weeks ago. I also attended my first treatment for PTSD with VA. She is recommending Prolonged Exposure treatment which I am not sure about yet. Not sure if I can handle that just yet. The notes from first appointment states: Clearly has PTSD and would make a good candidate for prolonged exposure treatment. Lumbar back: MRI results: Severe DDD L4-S1 & L2-L3, bulging disc throughout and mild to moderate stenosis. I have had back issues since 1998 and have done acupuncture, chiropractor, meds, message therapy and have records showing treatment up until about 2008. I got frustrated with VA and quit going. So I have a lapse in treatment records. I finally got enrolled in choice and was able to get an MRI and awaiting neurology appointment to see what type of treatment.
Have not worked since Feb 2016 when I was fired for anger outburst with my boss. He fired me over phone while driving to VA hospital couple hours away. He stated I snapped on him. I worked for them for 6 months. In May of 2017 I was awarded 70% for PTSD and increase in lumbar spine.
When I filed TDIU form I put I was not in treatment because I had not started yet even though I had appointment setup and was waiting to be seen.
Question: Should I send in a self report stating my limitations and also notify in writing that I am now in treatment? Also, I have contacted Pat Clifford of "cliffordvocationalservices" to review my medical records and possibly write a vocational rehab assessment. Should I consider having him conduct an assessment? Has anyone used his services?
For SSDI: I sent in a self report and used the template that I found on site (Patrick self -report). I am not sure if I should contact a lawyer now? I do not want to get stuck in the appeals process for ever.
If I need to add self report to TDIU claim: how can I add that to file? Also any recommendations on getting the vocational assessment from Pat?
I appreciate any advice.
thank you
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MEGA STRONG IMO - Dr. Anaise
I have been fighting Veteran Affairs (VA) claims alone since 2013, and they just kept low balling/denying so I’ve been stuck at 40% for awhile. I finally realized I needed to step up with a stronger Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) to take on the VA. With this mission in mind, I went in search of the most qualified IMO Doctor I could find. I spent days combing forums, resumes, and asking questions. That is how I found David Anaise. He’s not only a Medical Doctor (MD), but also a certified VA Disability Lawyer. I was immediately impressed that he had dual professional expertise to offer.
A lot of folks would normally be impressed right there, but not this Vet! I still wanted to see more evidence so I spent nearly a day combing Citations on the Internet inserting his name as counsel. What I found was a lot of Sleep Apnea claims were granted under his representation. Next, I poked around to see how he presented an IMO and found three. BINGO!
At that point, it was a no-brainer, I wanted this guy writing my IMO for Notice of Disagreement Sleep Apnea, and he did not disappoint either. I got a 12-page report loaded with exhibits, graphics, medical literature documentation, resume, and strong rationales to my existing s/c disabilities – rhinitis and sinus. I got more bells and whistles than I expected!
His fee, in my opinion, is worth every penny because it delivers. His IMO is highly professional, flows well, and very convincing. I am a retired professional journalist so I can judge if someone can write good copy. He can write. One more note: From the time I contacted him, I had my IMO in hand inside three weeks.
My DRO Hearing has not been scheduled yet, but I am confident this IMO has the strongest legs possible to win. It is over powering N & M evidence the VA will be hard press to deny.
It really comes down to how convincing an IMO is presented that triggers winning or losing a VA appeal. Simply put, some Opinions are presented better than others. If you want a legit winnable IMO, I highly recommend Dr. Anaise.
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