[C&P exam changed]

thanks.  have my c-file.  nothing in there as to any reason for the denial, except what came in the letter.  working on figuring it all out.  

[C&P exam changed]

Went in for a C&P exam for PTSD, claim was denied.  Whent down to RO and picked up copies of   LHI C&P.  There were two different medical opinion conclusions.  First one, date Sep 25 said PTSD was SC and had complete rational:  request for early release, buddy letters, and my personal statement.  Second one, dated Oct 2, just said not service connected...no rational given.  VSO could not see any notes or comments in file for the change.  In addition, I had submitted PTSD diagnoses from proved psycholigist (PhD) and been diagnosed by VA.  So submitted a reconsideration with another diagnosis from different private psycholigist and more information detailing treatment by VA to include medication and therapy via local Vet center.  VES C&P once again says not SC.  Am at a loss.  What should I do?

[Ellis Clinic IMO/IME]

On 2/25/2019 at 9:41 AM, wood78221 said:

Alright filed the claim today. We will see what happens. Keep you all posted. 

Good luck

[Ellis Clinic IMO/IME]

23 hours ago, El Train said:

At this point I'm turning it over to a law firm.  Seems like you have done everything and they are pissed about it.  I would think a law firm would love an easy case like this.  You've done all the medical work for them.

Waiting to see what happens with the reconsideration.  Than I go from there.  

[Ellis Clinic IMO/IME]

On 2/21/2019 at 4:51 PM, Point_break said:

Are there any clinics like this in or around central Texas?

Not that I have seen.  Am from Dallas and could not find any.  

[Ellis Clinic IMO/IME]

9 hours ago, wood78221 said:

I am honestly not sure how much weight these will hold. From my research, they only want IMO's from a NP, PA, MD/DO or PhD/Psyd (mental). Now, I could be wrong, but that is what I have gathered. 

If they were stand alone, I would agree, but they were additional letters backing up the information that Dr. Ellis submitted.  

[IMO for Sleep Apnea/cervical - where to get one?]

On 12/8/2018 at 1:42 AM, NoZZZ's said:

Hello All,

I am planning on filing a claim for sleep apnea, which was not diagnosed while I was on active duty, as well as cervical pain and Allergic Rhinitis, which were noted in STR's but not officially diagnosed until a few years later, despite continuous treatment for them by the VA. While there is some reference to sleep issues while I was deployed, and treatment records in service for the other two, I want to make my claim as strong as possible from the start.

Having read through many of the posts here and elsewhere regarding the nexus to service connection, I believe I will need an IMO to connect the in service event (injury on deployment) and my current diagnosis for sleep apnea, since it was diagnosed about 9 years after I left active service. My spouse is willing to write a statement regarding the symptoms she has witnessed since I left service until my diagnosis, and I have had two sleep studies confirming a diagnosis of sleep apnea (both done at the VA, 6 years apart).  I plan on trying for direct service connection (unlikely but worth a shot) as well as secondary service connection (I have other SC conditions, but only rated at 20%, to connect it to). The pulmonologist at VA said my chronic pain likely contributes to my sleep apnea, but I am guessing this is not affirmative enough language for the  VA rater, which is why I plan on seeking an IMO, for all three issues I am claiming.

My primary care Dr is at the VA, and tends to write in generalities, so I don't think she will be a good choice for writing the IMO/DBQ (she tells me I have to wear my CPAP or I will stop breathing or die in a car accident, but only writes in my chart that "CPAP is recommended"). I have been looking (unsuccessfully) online for doctors who specialize in providing IMO's, and have read about the ones reviewed here, but was wondering about another I keep seeing pop up in the google searches - VA Claims Insider. Seems like a one stop shop, but I have not found much information about them other than what is offered on their website and Youtube channel.  Also, the idea of paying after a claim increase seems like a good option, since multiple IMO's can be expensive, but I would think this could present a conflict in the eyes of the VA, since the fee increases with the size of the award.  Also, I'm not going to lie, I think it would be great to have someone go over my records and possibly identify issues that I can rightfully claim that I am just not aware of. That seems to be the service they also provide, along with IMO's.

So, any guidance or reviews would be appreciated.  I am pretty confident that I will need the IMO's. I just don't know where to get them without a potentially awkward first visit to a new Dr, "Hi, I know that we just met, but can you write this very detailed letter for me so I can get disability compensation. No pressure."

Thanks, and thank you all for the great info on this site.

P.S. - I do not intend for this to become a thread to bash one service over another, or to endorse any particular service. I would just like some honest opinions about any of the people you folks have used. The nexus letter seems to me to be the deciding factor in many of the BVA appeals I have read. Despite its importance, I have had difficulty finding solid info and advice about getting one.  Also, I assume VA Claims Insider probably reads this forum, and I don't want to disparage anyone who is trying to help vets.

I have used VA Claims insider.  They helped get me to 50%.  They looked over my claim, helped me reword some of my personal statements and pointed out where my VSO has made a couple of mistakes.  They were pretty accurate on what they thought would get approved and why.  They are currently helping me with my “reconsideration” and helped me with additional DBQ's and Nexus letters and even reviewed the Nexus letter my personal doctor wrote for me.  They might not be right for everyone, but they helped me.

[Ellis Clinic IMO/IME]

I went to Dr. Ellis a year ago, turned in his report, 4 buddy letters, two nexus letters from physical therapist and chiropractor, DBQ from a psych doctor and was turned down on almost every thing I claimed.  In the middle of a reconsideration with another buddy letter, nexus from my doctor referencing all my claims, 3DBQ's and 3 additional nexus letters and one more DBQ psych evaluation and copies of VA medical notes of diagnosis for PTSD and adjustment disorder.  We shall see.