[Dr Ellis IMO]

Thank you all for the insightful discussion....I submitted a Reconsideration vs a NOD as I haven't lost very much time due to this debacle.  Hopefully, now that all of the evidence/material was resubmitted, hopefully all of the information can be reviewed appropriately and I can get a better idea of how Dr. Ellis's IMO plays out.  I won't lie when I say it's frustrating to put a good package together to later find out somehow the evidence/material never made it to the rater as it should have.  I'm still left scratching my head as to how that happened....

....on a funny note, I left a message with my VSO (First time in a LONG time I decided to seek out a VSO for assistance) about setting up an appointment to discuss my recent denials and maybe get some answers.  Before I even had a chance to explain what happened, the VSO left a voice message saying no appointment necessary, get a Nexus Letter first then get back to him ---lol--- I couldn't even explain to him a Nexus Letter was already in the package.  Just further solidifies my belief that each veteran is his/her own biggest advocate in the world of VA claims.....

[Dr Ellis IMO]

4 minutes ago, flores97 said:

Gastone, thanks but I believe Nick2021 is the veteran that was denied, I'm currently at 100%p&t housebound on my ratings. Nick2021, Gastone brought up a great point,  if they did not consider your IMO and you have proof that you submitted it, such as registered return receipt, that definitely sounds like a cue.  I also apologize for being absent for so long,  I've really been struggling with my health.

Now that I've read you and Gastone's responses, I probably should've waited and considered a CUE....honestly, I was very upset with what happened and went straight to UPS to fax my reconsideration request....I probably should've waited.

[Dr Ellis IMO]

17 minutes ago, Gastone said:

Flores, maybe I missed it, who submitted the IMO to the Rating Dept? Any proof of Delivery? If you have proof of Delivery, a possibility of requesting a CUE Review regarding the Rater missing the IMO. No Proof of Delivery could be a problem for the Review.

However, VA Regs require N & M Evidence of Compelling Nature to be addressed by the Rating Dept, when received Post Decision.

What does your E-Ben section regarding Evidence Submitted say?

Semper Fi

Hey Gastone,

  It was actually me, not Flores......I submitted my own claim via ebenefits with everything laid out pretty good.  The new claim was then rolled up into an existing claim which was deferred from a previous claim.  When everything on the new claim came back rejected, I checked the evidence considered and none of the evidence on the new claim (which had been combined with my existing deferred claim) was considered.  I double checked everything on ebenefits and the documents are there electronically which is why it was really really frustrating.  I called the 800 number and they simply recommended filing a reconsideration.  Even called my VSO who initially told me to get an IMO....I told him I submitted an IMO with the initial claim package and it wasn't considered as evidence for some reason----along with 30-50 pages of additional documents lol  I already submitted the Reconsideration today but probably should've read up about a CUE as you suggested.....I may have screwed myself on that.  The entire situation is frustrating ----none of the new evidence was considered and it's all sitting there on ebenefits .... 

[Dr Ellis IMO]

Well, got my ratings back---all "denied."  I checked to see the "evidence reviewed" part of my letter and saw that the IMO wasn't on there.....couldn't believe it.  Now I'll have to re-submit the IMO again as new evidence when it should've been received/considered in the first place....

[Dr. David Anaise or Dr. Craig Bash for a IMO]

I have had one from Dr. Anaise....very well written and quick turnaround (2 weeks tops).

[IMO from Dr. Anaise, CKD]

17 hours ago, gbat said:

I filed a loss of organ ( kidney due to cancer ) claim. It is in the gathering evidence claim. I think they are requesting my service and va medical notes. Of course nothing will be there since I got out of service 23 years ago. I filed this due to chemical exposure TCE over twelve year period. A WRII doctor said it is as likey as not that it could of came from exposure. Also said I smoked for twenty years and that has been known to cause cancer. Would this Doctor be qualified to do an IMO on cancer matter? Should I wait until denial comes in then get IMO? Any thoughts? I have NOD in for PTSD for over year now. That started in 2012, but VSO set me up with private shrink for a year and intial diagnos must come from VA. SO that was wasted year for benefit. ( Did help me mentally )

I don't know gbat, but I have read Dr. Anaise has helped people on other medical conditions other than Sleep Apnea and PTSD.  I would simply give him a call and see what he says, it won't cost anything but a small amount of your time....

[Decision button]

Sorry to hear about your delays....I pushed the button and had a decision in 1-2 weeks....but they ended up deferring one of my claims while making a decision on the others.  

I agree with others on the 800 number issue....called the other day and had a "new employee" who kept putting me on hold to get help from her trainer.  Frustrating to say the least....

[IMO from Dr. Anaise, CKD]

Received a decision on my sleep apnea as secondary to allergic rhinitis...approved, using Dr. Anaise's nexus letter.

[Prep for notification before C&P??]

Yes, it's happening to me right now....have a claim in for two increases to existing conditions, PTSD, reconsideration for sleep apnea, and hearing loss......it's in the prep for notification stage and they're scheduling me for a hearing loss C&P ..... I called the VA 800 number and even the individual on the phone seemed "miffed" by it.  She said she thought they had deferred the hearing loss portion of the claim....who knows, ebenefits is all over the place.

[Dr Ellis IMO]

7 minutes ago, flores97 said:

I submitted an FDC,  or Fully Developed Claim,  but he actually didn't do the in-person examination on me because I couldn't make the trip.  He did a phone interview and reviewed my treatment records,  which were very extensive,  and he did a great IMO on 3 different conditions from that.  I couldn't travel due to my SC disabilities, I actually tried to make it,  on the bus,  got one state away and had to depart the bus due to my lupus flaring up. Dr Ellis has a great reputation, and it only took a couple of weeks after the phone interview to receive the IMO.

Thanks Flores....I'm going to submit my claims as a FDC as well.  I appreciate your input....he was a very nice person, really knew his stuff.  I will definitely update this thread as it has been a LOT of work on my end to get to this point with the VA and hopefully my experiences will help others!

[Dr Ellis IMO]

5 hours ago, flores97 said:

That's great Nick 2021, and welcome to hadit. Dr Ellis is one of the best IMO doctors in my opinion,  and he's very thorough and honest as well.  Good luck with your claims,  I had very good results with my IMO from Dr Ellis and they listed his IMO as evidence considered.  Again,  best of luck to you. 

Thanks for the welcome!  I have really been researching this forum due to some VA hurdles I've run into.....I've learned that each person is his/her own biggest advocate.  Wish I had more success with my VSO, but at least I'm kicking things into gear.  I'll definitely follow-thru with the results in this thread in relation to Dr. Ellis's IMOs.....it's good to hear you had good success!

Just out of curiosity, did you submit a complete claim since he performs the medical examination or traditional claim?

[Backlog doubled at Board of Veterans Appeals]

Wow....unbelievable...

[IMO/IME Source & Price]

Ellis Clinic but you have to travel.....$500

[Dr Ellis IMO]

Just came back from the Ellis Clinic last week....very thorough and vet-friendly Doctor.  I went in for multiple IMOs.....we'll see how the VA responds to these once I receive/submit my claims with his IMOs.