Dr. William Sniger Md, For A Imo

[hmcquade]

Ok another question Has anyone used:

William Sniger, M.D.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist
360 Pleasant Street, Raynham, MA 02767

For IMO.

Thanks,

Hugh

Edited May 29, 2014 by hmcquade

[NavyWife]

I say get as many as you think are needed to win. With VA it is the "preponderance of evidence". So, whatever the majority of the evidence shows, that is what they have to go with. That is according to the law. However, as we all know, VA will look for any reason to discount and throw out your favorable IMOs. So you need to MAKE CERTAIN that they are written in the proper format, with VA wording on the nexus statement and a strong reasoning of why the doc believes what he does...

The nexus statement must use these words EXACTLY:

"is due to" (100% sure)

"more likely than not" (greater than 50%)

"at least as likely as not" (equal to or greater than 50%)

"not at least as likely as not" (less than 50%)

"is not due to" (0%)

Edited May 29, 2014 by NavyWife

[NavyWife]

Also, it is much preferable to get an IME-Independent Medical Exam-where you actually go see the doctor in person. Sometimes VA will try to throw out an IMO-Independent Medical Opinion, because the doctor only looked at your records and did not see you in person. Just plan for the flight or transportation costs and lodging as part of the cost of winning your claim...

It's a shame vets have to go through this just to get a fair and impartial medical exam!

To summarize, you need all these parts:

#1 doc must state he reviewed your C-file and the pertinent medical records

#2 The nexus statement must use these words EXACTLY:

"is due to" (100% sure)

"more likely than not" (greater than 50%)

"at least as likely as not" (equal to or greater than 50%)

"not at least as likely as not" (less than 50%)

"is not due to" (0%)

#3 doctor must state a full medical rationale or reasoning why one is due to the other

#4 If there is a DBQ for this issue, doctor should also fill that out

#5 doctor should include his medical qualifications or a copy of his CV-curriculum vitae. This is because if there are conflicting opinions, the VA should go with the doctor with the highest and best medical qualifications. You need a M.D. at a minimum. If you can find a specialist, that would be even better.

Edited May 29, 2014 by NavyWife

[hmcquade]

Also, it is much preferable to get an IME-Independent Medical Exam-where you actually go see the doctor in person. Sometimes VA will try to throw out an IMO-Independent Medical Opinion, because the doctor only looked at your records and did not see you in person. Just plan for the flight or transportation costs and lodging as part of the cost of winning your claim...

It's a shame vets have to go through this just to get a fair and impartial medical exam!

To summarize, you need all these parts:

#1 doc must state he reviewed your C-file and the pertinent medical records

#2 The nexus statement must use these words EXACTLY:

"is due to" (100% sure)

"more likely than not" (greater than 50%)

"at least as likely as not" (equal to or greater than 50%)

"not at least as likely as not" (less than 50%)

"is not due to" (0%)

#3 doctor must state a full medical rationale or reasoning why one is due to the other

#4 If there is a DBQ for this issue, doctor should also fill that out

#5 doctor should include his medical qualifications or a copy of his CV-curriculum vitae. This is because if there are conflicting opinions, the VA should go with the doctor with the highest and best medical qualifications. You need a M.D. at a minimum. If you can find a specialist, that would be even better.

Thanks, I will make sure that info is in the letters, I see my private PCP tomorrow for a consult and exam, discuss new IMO.

Hugh

[Snake Eyes]

My Private PCP will not do DBQs or IMOs. He did write an opinion letter for one of my conditions, but apparently when he moved to the hospital's jurisdiction he had a change of heart. Since the number of PCP docs in our area is limited, I may not drop him just yet.

More on topic, does the IMO provide his opinion to the vet to submit with his claim? If so, do we have the option of only including the favorable ones with our claims? I'm not clear on how this aspect works -- and I don't want to file the claim until I know a doc is at least open minded to a given theory of etiology (whether he ultimately agrees with me or not, it doesn't matter if he disagrees outright before even seeing a patient).

[NavyWife]

More on topic, does the IMO provide his opinion to the vet to submit with his claim? If so, do we have the option of only including the favorable ones with our claims?

Yes, the IMO would give the opinion directly to the vet. The vet would then submit it to the VA.

Yes, you should ONLY submit favorable ones.

[marham]

I had a hysterectomy 11 years after cervicitis in the military which became chronic and could not be cured 30 percent of cervicitis become chronic and hysterectomies are suggested I need to get a nexus for this I live in Virginia Should I pay for a nexus I am already rated at 82 percent. I am 70 should I put in for unemployability . I have another claim I am sure I can get 90 per cent for , with a nexus from my gastrologist . Should I go to the iIME .