callover007

Everyone can ignore all they want. I see someone has posted they had success, finally. (That's 2) As far as reading Bash claims I have read where he and OTHER OPINIONS, not just his IMO got a claim awarded. You can knock the VA all you want and it is fine, but don't knock Bask. My opinon is Bash is over-rated and overpriced. He is out more for the money! If you don't like my opinion don't answer or don't read. As far as Jstacy goes his opinion is incorrect as I notice alot of them are. It is not my job to write the IMO. I don't prepare for it. I send data for BASH TO COMPOSE. Jstacy likes to disagree alot and so I disagree with him. I'm 90%, really 93 (after Bash). The only thing in the Bash report was the lung cancer from AO. If Bash is so great and good with the VA he should know lung cancer from AO is presumed and AUTOMATICALLY GRANTED. He compared it to smoking which was not necessary. I state again, and I thought this was what this board was for. IN MY OPINION BASH IS OVER-RATED AND OVERPAID. If you don't like my opinion don't read it. My reply to jstacy was to jstacy, not the other folks. If you like Bash, pay 2, 4, 6 thousand dollars if you like.

Jstacy, I notice you reply to most post as I guess you think you are an expert. I don't know why you are so hep on Bash. Did you use him and know of what you speak? You state" you must have done a poor job in order to receive a bad IMO." It is my job to gather records and info for Bash to write the IMO,not me. I guess you are not smart enough to know that. And next this does pertain to Veterans Claims as it could save them from wasting $2000. As for my posts I ask for people who had success with Bash, not some idiot with no info to add that just decides to make stupid. Your head is where your sitting.

It is funny that everyone is so pro-Bash, yet where are the posters that say "I" have used him and won. I'm sure not all of the people that have used him have left the boards. Everybody knows somebody that has used him. One person in all the replies so far has used him. One says he eill go to hearing. How much will that cost? "I really do not believe he would go to your hearing." I'm sure you would have to go to DC. Another does a comparision that is rather assinine about proctology and feet. If a "Good Doctor" checks all your medical records he should see your lab results and blood sugers, etc. Also, he is a supposed expert on reading x-rays for different problems, such as spine, back, etc. I am still awaiting response from someone other than Bound4heaven, whom I am very glad the case was won and congrats to you. Alot of hearsays and one letter saying I used along with other Doctor. The BVA cases are all of him and others. Did the others charge $2000. $2000 is a lot of money to most Vets and to pay that much for someone is a risk. Your own Doctor can write an IMO or maybe refer you to someone he knows and it may be quite a bit less. I, unfortunaly, learned of Bash from this board, paid $2000 for his IMO, and feel it worthless. My lung cancer, DM and neuropathy all SC from AO. I just think that all Vets hear both sides. So far there is only one with actual use, along with personal doc's report.

Hi to Berta and all, Berta, we have talked about this before and respectfully disagree on Dr. Bash. I sent you my IMO prior and told you I felt it was not very strong. I did get AO sc for lung cancer ,BUT THIS IS PRESUMED. I'm lucky that DR. Bash didn't get that denied by mention the smoking aspect. Dr. Bash looked over my service records and latest VA records and did not even mention the DM11 or neuropthy that I got connected by VA C & P. I was denied heart condition and back injuries ( which I am Nodding) as the C & P DOC says back problems more likey than not aggravated by service. There seems to be alot of people who talk to Bash but decide he is way too expensive or have used him with no tangible results, or still pending. I believe last time we emailed your s was pending. Did you sent his IMO to the RO and they denied his opinion. If it (his IMO) gets denied he will rewrite but for a charge, not for free. He is very adament about money. I told him upfront I needed a report for VA, SSDI, and OPM retirement. Paid 2 grand, got one report. Called him and he sent two cover sheets and no reports. Wanted 5$ for each cover sheet and wanted me to use the VA report. It was written especially for VA. I got SSDI and OPM retirement on my own without using his repeort. I say again and this IS MY OWN OPINION, DR Bash is not worth the price. I am still awaiting proof from this board and other boards where he has many successes. I would not use him again nor reccomend him to anyone. His opinions are of the same as he thinks of himself, over rated and very over priced. Some may disagree as he says what they want to hear but the proof is in the results. With respect to all but this is my belief and hate to see a fellow veteran get stuck for alot of money.

I have posted this question prior. I would like to hear of a successful case with an IMO submitted by Dr. Bash. I read where he wrote a great IMO but I have not received any feedback on his success in getting a claim awarded. Please post your claim granted by the VA based on Dr. Bash's IMO and what it was granted for. I hear where alot of people used him or talked to him but no one saying they won their case because of him. With all the talk there should be a lot of replies. Thanks

Hi Rick, I'm not sure I understand your question. Are you trying to get a seperate rating for COPD and Asthma? If that is the case it would be pryamiding and only is awarded under one code. I have empyazema and COPD and it is rated together. I also ended up with lung cancer and sleep apnea. It is all rated under one code, supposedly the one with the highest rating. If you had a C&P PFT test that will probably be the one they use. I'm guess that you fall under the one rating go as I do. Check out CFR 38 under the respritory codes and it explaines the way it works. Good luck Callover

Jstacy, I realize Bash is a Neuro Radiolgist. My DDD was degenative disc disease of the spine. I have an IMO from Bash on this that is worthless. He just says a few lines about the spine and his opinion that it was reinjured in service. He does not state a strong case nor offer proof, just his opinion.. At my C & P for appeal the doctor says more than likely reinjured in service. I am 70% for Stress/depression and medication. Bash did not mention stress nor list all medications or even refer to treatment records. A post awhile back asked for Bash's success with Vets. I do not recall seeing a lot of them. I speak from experience as I used him, you almost used him. You can not be sure what his IMO would have been nor how effective. Bash is more interested in money and self-acclaim. He talks alot better than he writes. NOW, in my experience and own opinion I would advise NOT TO USE Bash as he charges way to much for his IMO. Anything more than a couple hundred dollars is too much. Anyone who used Bash please add your comments and outcome.

Hi Berta, I did get my SC for AO Lung Cancer. It was not due to Dr. Bash though, it is presumed. The same as with my DM11. Dr. Bash wrote nothing in his report of DM even though he had my test results. I got awarded from presumtion from Viet Nam. The cancer was also presumed by law. I was lucky that Dr. Bash didn't get me denied by even mentioning smoking. He wrote a small statement about my back DDD and it was denined He wrote about my heart and my BP. My BP stayed at 10% and heart problems denied. I know you helped alot of veterans here and they as well as I am appreciative of your efforts. With all respect I strongly disagree with you on Dr. Bash. I do not think his opinions are near worth the money he charges. If he is such an advocate for Vet's why does he charge so much. He may be known in the Washington, DC area but his IMO's are not well written. You have the copy I sent you a while back and I stated then I did not believe it was well written. I would not reccommend Bash to anyone. Instead pay a doctor in your own area to examine you in person. I think it is a waste of money to pay Bash $2000 for a second rate opinion. He even wants more money if you want him to write follow up. I know you used him. Are your cases still pending or did he get you an award. I don't see much on the VA boards about all the success he claims to have had. With respect, Callover

Billy Boy, When I was new to filing a claim I hired Dr. Bash for $2000. It was the biggest waste of money I ever spent. I honestly believe that Dr. Bash is out for the money much much more that he is out to help the Veteran. He did absolutly nothing to help my case after stating he could. I told him up front I would need documentation for the SSA, OPM retirement and VA. He sent VA only and after paying him $2000 he sent a cover letter only for SSA and OPm, and then wanted to charge me for that. Dr. Bash is in it for the money only ( in my opinion) and his reports should are not well written. I applied for AO lung cancer presumed and he brings up my smoking habit. I ask him for a writeup on my DDD and he wrote about a half paragraph based on my X-rays and MRI. My CP doctoer did not see his IMO so thank God it said more likely than not SC. Dr. Bash's opinion is not worth the paper he writes on and I very seriously doubt his success record. Save your money!!!

I come up with 89% rounded up to 90 %.

Yep, Happened to me. !00 temp for AO Lung Cancer. Temp for 09-04 to 02-05. Had more C & P's and still waiting for rating from 03-05, 14 months. Last C & P doc or transcriber does not have finished yet and C/P was 20 Feb this year.

Mike, I am going through this process now. In case you are not familar with this process they have 6 months to act upon your SF-95. At that time they can offer settlement, request an extention to gather more evidence, or completly ignore it thinkibg there is no case and let you sue. At the 6 month period I call the Regional counsil and left word on the answerinr service requesting the status so I would know weather or not to procedd further action. The next day their council returned my call and we talked for 45 mins, me giving more information. He requested a 90 day extention which I agreed to. He is going to turn over to VA medical panel so they will offer an opinion. He will let me know. Fell good about it. The attorney was very polite and seemed concerned (?)but stated he personnaly thinks I have a case and say right now he is going to submit VA settle. I'll wait and see. Make sure you send enough facts with your SF-95 to have them consider. If you don't send enough evidence they will just ignore. Let them know you have a likely good chance if you do sue. Frank

I had a couple C & P's yesterday. For residuals of lung cancer they are going to set me up with a PFT, which should have been done then. For the DM11 related neuropthy he did nothing. I have in both feet and hands. He did not have me take off my shoes or socks, did not use the tuning fork, or give me a pin prick sensation test. How can he rate this without these test?

Hi Berta Civilian PHD hired by VA. Ex vet himself from Korea era. He was a doc of Phyc.

I went for a C & P exam yesterday for stress/depression due to AO SC Lung cancer, DM11, nueropthy, back pain, sleep apena. The physc dotcor seemed great. Took about 2 hours and was very efficant and asked alot of questions. He was 74 years old, very alert, and really seemed to like Vets. He jokingly said I was in worse shape than him. I was expecting a hassle prior to seeing him but he was great. Anyway, he stated he was going to put me in for PTSD with P & T. He looked at my records and seen were I had purple heart from Viet Nam and asked me a couple of questions about stressors (was I shot at, did I see action, etc). He stated that with my medical conditions ang age of 59 nobody would hire me. Not being derogatory but being honest. He asked which would be better for me, P & T or IU. I told him I thought P & T would be better (?) than IU. I'm not sure but is P & T for PTSD 100%.? Will recommend to rating board P & T. Does this mean auto 100% if board accepts his findings. He shook my hand twice, wish me luck and said he would recommend P & T for PTSD. Does this sound like a good chance.? Thanks

Jstacy, Just had this done at the charleston VA. I was 10% and had a new claim in for AO lung cancer and DM 11. I knew when award it would be over 50% and I should not have co-pay. Well, I kept getting bills and they deducted money from my OPM retirement check. I went to the management office at the VA and show thw man where I was awarded 100% temporary for 6 month for the cancer and then deferred all ratings until EOD established. Anyway he reduced what I would have owed from $140 to 38$ and told me when I get the rating showing 50% that they would reimburse me for all taken out since my effective date. Frank

Berta, If he is drawing SS at 62 then he will be eligible for Medicare at 65. Part A will be free and Part B he will pay for. He should apply 90 days prior to full retirement age. If he id drawing SS and not SSI then he will be okay. If he is on SSI he should apply fir Medicaid if he does not already have.