ShuMan

Flores97;
I will say a prayer for you.  I just read all of this thread and I am really concerned for you.  Please get the help you need! ((HUGS))

Andyman, I'm working on getting sc for gerd, ibs-c, and urinary incontinence secondary to sc systemic lupus, to include medications taken to control the lupus. Im getting an IMO from Valor Compensation Consulting (Shuman is as well), and an IME from Dr Ellis in OK on Apr 19th, and ill submit the three issues as an FDC. I will post the opinions as soon as I receive them. I really appreciate the support from everyone, and Vync, did you say you have Fibro as well, what meds have they put you on? I am on duloxetine, which i believe is generic for cymbalta. Again, Vync, Andyman and Navy4life, thanks for the support.

Flores,
Glad to be here, to support you, in spirit.  I will be praying for you, for success in your claims, and SA dx and claim too.
Semper Fi.
Andyman

Shuman,
Not to leave you out, praying for your complete success as well!
Semper Fi.
Andyman

Dr. Michael A. Steingart, DO
Dr. Steingart is a board certified orthopedic surgeon
15 years performing IMEs 
1,500 IMEs performed 
Deposed/Testified 73 times 
He authored a book for helping medical students and patients titled, “How to Survive Your Clinical Rotations.”  It is an informative book on the inner workings of becoming a doctor.
 

I will be going with him since he is local. Reviewed others here in town but the warning signs were there! 
Was quoted 1200 for a complete IME when I visited the office yesterday. Very professional staff and welcoming office setting.
Steingartorthopedics.com
My opinion is that he is one of the tops along with Dr. Ellis, and Dr. Bash. My strategy is go with private board certified specialists then have it backed up with an IMO board certified doctor.
 
edit- Dr. Bash not Bush. 

L, that is fast, I've been waiting 17 months for mine.  As they are currently rating my claim I figure it makes sense at this point to wait and push it after the rating.

Best of luck to you on your travels Flores!
How have you been preparing for your IME?
The monthly payment plan is a huge plus and makes it more affordable for everyone.

Flores,
 Very detailed answer and I greatly appreciate the advice.
I'm going to have to go IME/IMO as of now. I was able to find a local doc that was once a C&P examiner to complete an exam on me on the 31st. I'm hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone here and have him complete the DBQs for my appeal and well as secondary conditions (and nexus letters were needed). So now I'm reading thru the DBQs and the regulations to see what percentage I could possibly qualify for.
Also I hired Valor to provide some needed nexus letters and to do a records review (Based off the great review you gave them). There's over 1000 pages in my C-File and I knew I couldn't look that over all myself. They've been really helpful in pointing me in the right direction and providing realistic advice. Just what they've pointed out so far has been pretty helpful and worth every penny.  
I'm really surprised that your VA PCP was open to completing a DBQ on you. I was always told that they like to shy away from that stuff. I'll have to message my PCP to see if they are open to it.
Again thank you for the advice!

Flores,
 Very detailed answer and I greatly appreciate the advice.
I'm going to have to go IME/IMO as of now. I was able to find a local doc that was once a C&P examiner to complete an exam on me on the 31st. I'm hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone here and have him complete the DBQs for my appeal and well as secondary conditions (and nexus letters were needed). So now I'm reading thru the DBQs and the regulations to see what percentage I could possibly qualify for.
Also I hired Valor to provide some needed nexus letters and to do a records review (Based off the great review you gave them). There's over 1000 pages in my C-File and I knew I couldn't look that over all myself. They've been really helpful in pointing me in the right direction and providing realistic advice. Just what they've pointed out so far has been pretty helpful and worth every penny.  
I'm really surprised that your VA PCP was open to completing a DBQ on you. I was always told that they like to shy away from that stuff. I'll have to message my PCP to see if they are open to it.
Again thank you for the advice!

I have mine on the 31st. I sent him the package digitally so I can always send more. Good thought about bringing the records and organizing them. A lot of my issues have to do with ROM, so I've been making sure I understand the regs on that.
Thanks again!

Flores is correct!
Great advice!

Shulman, your welcome, I hope that helps! Its great that your getting an IMO and an IME as well, that is exactly what i am doing, using of course Valor for the IMO and Dr Ellis in OK for the IME. I am crossing my fingers about the trip to OK, as I have a really difficult time traveling, but I plan on posting both the IMO and the IME when I receive them. I'm glad Valor is working out for you, its rare to be able to find a practitioner willing to take monthly payments for a medical opinion, that is for sure. Best of luck on your claims, keep us updated!!

I think secondary is where its at. 
Depending on the secondary claim, you will need a C&P if it involves calcutalting a percentage, i.e., range of motion, etc.
As you get older, more issues can be secondary to original service connected issues.  Especially if you are rated for arthritis. I dont think many vets think of this. Its just going to get worse with age.
Good luck,
Hamslice
 
 
 

Shuman, I've already sent my records packet to Dr Ellis, as well I went ahead and paid for the visit up front, not that its required, just wanted to go ahead and take care of that. As far as other preparing, the past few weeks have been the worse health wise I have ever had. I realized yesterday that i have tachydaria(not sure if i spelled correctly), or abnormally fast heart rate. I went to urgent care for flu symptoms, pulse was 116 at rest. It has consistently been over 105, more like 111, for past six months every time i go to VA.  But getting back to preparations for IME, i will bring all of the urgent care/specialty clinic visits ive had since i sent the packet. There are quite a few. When do you have your IME appt? I would make copies of all relevant treatment records, put them in order with newest on top, going down by date to oldest. Highlight whatever you want the doc to pay attention to, I usually separate each visit with a paperclip and put sticky notes on front of each stating (for example)-urgent care visit 3/5/2016, for lupus flareup, abdominal pain, rashes, etc. It might also help to make a list of all pertinent evidence, with dates of treatment, symptoms and diagnosis(and which doc, facility), and include that as well.

Best of luck to you on your travels Flores!
How have you been preparing for your IME?
The monthly payment plan is a huge plus and makes it more affordable for everyone.

Flores,
 Very detailed answer and I greatly appreciate the advice.
I'm going to have to go IME/IMO as of now. I was able to find a local doc that was once a C&P examiner to complete an exam on me on the 31st. I'm hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone here and have him complete the DBQs for my appeal and well as secondary conditions (and nexus letters were needed). So now I'm reading thru the DBQs and the regulations to see what percentage I could possibly qualify for.
Also I hired Valor to provide some needed nexus letters and to do a records review (Based off the great review you gave them). There's over 1000 pages in my C-File and I knew I couldn't look that over all myself. They've been really helpful in pointing me in the right direction and providing realistic advice. Just what they've pointed out so far has been pretty helpful and worth every penny.  
I'm really surprised that your VA PCP was open to completing a DBQ on you. I was always told that they like to shy away from that stuff. I'll have to message my PCP to see if they are open to it.
Again thank you for the advice!

I'm talking to  Dr B. Vallette thru email and so far I'm pretty impressed with the professionalism and willingness to help. 

Flores,
 Very detailed answer and I greatly appreciate the advice.
I'm going to have to go IME/IMO as of now. I was able to find a local doc that was once a C&P examiner to complete an exam on me on the 31st. I'm hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone here and have him complete the DBQs for my appeal and well as secondary conditions (and nexus letters were needed). So now I'm reading thru the DBQs and the regulations to see what percentage I could possibly qualify for.
Also I hired Valor to provide some needed nexus letters and to do a records review (Based off the great review you gave them). There's over 1000 pages in my C-File and I knew I couldn't look that over all myself. They've been really helpful in pointing me in the right direction and providing realistic advice. Just what they've pointed out so far has been pretty helpful and worth every penny.  
I'm really surprised that your VA PCP was open to completing a DBQ on you. I was always told that they like to shy away from that stuff. I'll have to message my PCP to see if they are open to it.
Again thank you for the advice!

I heard Ms Allison Hickey Resigned?
Robert Bob McDonald is probably to busy now?
I agree with Flores97 is right on money with this, any other evidence you can get take it with you but submit it on ebenny's before the Hearing & take copies with you in case the DRO don't have them, face to face with a DRO is usually good  you can tell them how this has effected your life  and its ok to be emotional
Remember the DRO is there to help you solve this and approve you if he can.
However, you maybe ask to take another C&P with a different examiner? if so Do it.
Hang in there buddy
jmo
.......................Buck
 

Jimmer, I believe when you go into your DRO Hearing, your most important job is MAKING SURE the hearing officer reads your most important pieces of evidence. Even if you believe they have everything, bring all relevant evidence with you. Take the time to make a list of what you want to be absolutely certain the hearing officer understands about your claims. Bring your spouse or a friend with you if possible, who knows your history. At the end of the hearing, the officer should (hopefully), either tell you, OK I have everything I need, or relate to you if anything else is needed. I hope this helps, and Best of Luck to you!

Great advice from everyone.
My in-person DRO review, I was not offered a choice of formal vs. informal. The lady was super nice and stated the meeting would be recorded.
Otherwise, my experience was very similar to Navy4Life's.
I had each contention sorted into individual folders. I included a document overview with a list of enclosures, dates of events/treatments, VA rating criteria, and a doctor's nexus where applicable. It explained how things connected together and also how prior decisions erred. I then had copies of relevant records which where highlighted and whether or not they were duplicates of what I had in my c-file (yes, I was that prepared and I did not want to waste anyone's time).
The conversation took less than an hour. The DRO said they could not tell me with 100% certainty which way the decision would go because they needed to go back and verify everything, but they did say that the previous rater made some very stupid decisions. That left me with a good feeling when I left. About six weeks later, I received an award letter and won on all accounts.

Vync;
That is exactly what the DRO hearing office told me, that the prior rater had to go with what they had and since the medical opinion was what they had it was unfortunate.  To me that sounded like the DRO hearing officer saw the errors with the medical opinion from my first claim.

The first is just get a diagnosis. That is the easiest way to proceed get them connected. Then have an expert review your records either an IME or VSO someone with experience to tell you what to file. I use valor compensation consulting. But just make sure you get someone to help with the nexus. Good luck

The "1500 dollar difference" between an IME/IMO and a VA doc opinion could well be worth it.  Keep remembering "who" the guy is working FOR.   When you accept a man's money, then you owe him something, unless its an outright gift.  
So, the doc who accepts your money "owes" you a great opinion.  When you go to a VA/QTC doc, he owes "his employer" a great opinion.  
Its like using your opponent at law's attorney.  If your opponent is paying him (and the VA is paying the QTC or VA doc) you can expect him to look out for the interests of those who sign his check, as he wants a paycheck "next week, too."