ShuMan Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Team, When is it best to get an IME vs an IMO? Which hold more power in the VAs world? Thanks Link to comment
0 Berta Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 An IME is an independent medical exam, face to face.... in other words if you are questioning ROM measurements or scar lengths, skin disease decisions, and a multitude of other types of disabilities , an in-person IME can often turn the tide for a claim. IMOs can be done on many claims simply by mail and phone contact, as long as the IMO doctor has all military records ( if an inservice nexus has to be established),and all VA and private medical records, as well as any SOC denials etc etc. IMOs are not accepted for initial PTSD diagnoses. They can help however with an upgrade request. Surviving spouses, of course, cant get IMEs but can get IMOs to support a DIC claim. Whether IME or IMO they need to follow the IMO criteria here at hadit. ShuMan 1 Link to comment
0 Moderator broncovet Posted February 13, 2016 Moderator Share Posted February 13, 2016 Agreed. If you can find a local doc who will examine you that can prepare a "VA ready" IME, then by all means do so. If you can not locate a local doc who has the experience/expertise/willingness to do a VA ready IME, then you can hire one of the national experts at writing an IMO, such as Dr. Bash, and you wont have to travel to his office. When ever possible, tho, do the IME vs the IMO. The IMO is based entirely on other docs who examined you. I think an IME can be "new" evidnece, where an IMO may not be since the requirements of new and material evidence is that it be "new" and NOT redundant. Im not an expert on this but it would seem that an IMO would offer nothing "new", just a differing interpretation of older exams. However, if a doc examines you, his findings would be "new", especially if he performs tests, such as xrays, that were not made in the past. flores97 and ShuMan 2 Link to comment
0 HadIt.com Elder Buck52 Posted February 13, 2016 HadIt.com Elder Share Posted February 13, 2016 I agree with Ms berta & broncovet Great Advise All I may add is its always better to get a ''specialist'' in the field of medicine that your seeking an IMO for. The VA seems to go with those Dr's More often than not. ..........Buck ShuMan 1 Link to comment
0 ShuMan Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 Thanks All, Is there a Doctor that you guys would recommend for an IMO? Link to comment
0 Moderator broncovet Posted February 13, 2016 Moderator Share Posted February 13, 2016 (edited) Shuman I think we are on the same page, that, if you can find a specialist doc in your town, best is to contact him/her, and see if they will do a IME. (Exam). Its not likely we know docs in your area, we dont even know where you live. If you want a IMO, then the doc need not live in your town. He could live in San Francisco, and you could be in NY 2000 miles away. Some Vets have had good luck with Dr. Bash, who does IMO's nationwide, or Dr. Analise, who is a lawyer and a doctor and does IMO's. Also, if you hire an attorney who represents Vets, your law firm may just know where to go for an IMO/IME. Edited February 13, 2016 by broncovet ShuMan and flores97 2 Link to comment
0 Moderator broncovet Posted February 14, 2016 Moderator Share Posted February 14, 2016 Order your cfile first, and see if you already have the applicable evidence in your file, and maybe VA just did not read it. It happens quite frequently, and it happened to me. ShuMan and flores97 2 Link to comment
Question
ShuMan
Team,
When is it best to get an IME vs an IMO?
Which hold more power in the VAs world?
Thanks
Link to comment
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Gastone
11th Hour IMOs or IMEs are problematic and usually costly. If you need it that quick, probably not a good idea to go on the cheap. If your going to pay the big $$, I would think you would want to
broncovet
Agreed. If you can find a local doc who will examine you that can prepare a "VA ready" IME, then by all means do so. If you can not locate a local doc who has the experience/expertise/willingne
broncovet
Shuman I think we are on the same page, that, if you can find a specialist doc in your town, best is to contact him/her, and see if they will do a IME. (Exam). Its not likely we know docs
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