Imos

[free_spirit_etc]

Has anyone used Medopins for an IMO? I was wondering about your experience with them if you have. I was quoted a rate of $2,900 for an opinion.

I think one concern I have is the smoking issue. I think many doctors aren't willing to write a decent opinion for you if you smoke and have cancer.

I am not asking a doctor to lie - or to even go against medical science. In fact I am asking for a doctor to write an opinion that medical science FULLY supports:

1. Slow growing cancer usually grows slow.

2. Abestos exposure often increases you risk of lung cancer, even (and actually especially) when you smoke.

I would certainly hate to pay $2900 for a doctor with an anti-smoking bias - that could not put that bias aside.

I can get doctors do THAT for free.

Can I ask for a "smoker friendly" doctor? Or do you just pay your money and get an expert opinion.

Free

[Teac]

Has anyone used Medopins for an IMO? I was wondering about your experience with them if you have. I was quoted a rate of $2,900 for an opinion.

I think one concern I have is the smoking issue. I think many doctors aren't willing to write a decent opinion for you if you smoke and have cancer.

I am not asking a doctor to lie - or to even go against medical science. In fact I am asking for a doctor to write an opinion that medical science FULLY supports:

1. Slow growing cancer usually grows slow.

2. Abestos exposure often increases you risk of lung cancer, even (and actually especially) when you smoke.

I would certainly hate to pay $2900 for a doctor with an anti-smoking bias - that could not put that bias aside.

I can get doctors do THAT for free.

Can I ask for a "smoker friendly" doctor? Or do you just pay your money and get an expert opinion.

Free

I do not advocate paying a doctor just for an opinion. I think it is best to have your primary care doctor, or a specialist that he may refer you to for treatment, write a statement.

I have had good luck with va doctors writing statements then I go to a military hospital and get another written opinion. Not all veterans can use the military hospital system but if you can I think that is the best way to go. Depending on the va doctor, you could get a valid statement. Military doctors are always awed when treating us old timers, and like to hear our war stories, I have always recieved statements from them that help me with my claim. And military doctors don't have a horse in the race so are more apt to help a veteran that a veteran affairs doctor may be.

Just my Humble opinion

[free_spirit_etc]

My husband's treating pulmonologist at the Air Force Base (the one that TOLD my husband his cancer started BEFORE retirement - and the one that has written IN HIS MED RECORDS - cigs and asbestos >80 times risk) was GOING to write an opinion for him - but then called and said the Base attorney said they couldn't write opinions.

His treating oncologist - (Tri-Care) told us that they aren't allowed to give OPINIONS - that the VA will have THEIR doctors do that.

His treating radiation doctor said he isn't allowed to write opinions, as he is associated with the hospital - and suggested that my husband find a PRIVATE doctor who practices independently -

So we didn't have much luck there.

And now that my husband died - we can't get any more physicians to treat him...

I agree that it sure would be best if the primary physician would write it. Sometimes they won't.

Free

I do not advocate paying a doctor just for an opinion. I think it is best to have your primary care doctor, or a specialist that he may refer you to for treatment, write a statement.

I have had good luck with va doctors writing statements then I go to a military hospital and get another written opinion. Not all veterans can use the military hospital system but if you can I think that is the best way to go. Depending on the va doctor, you could get a valid statement. Military doctors are always awed when treating us old timers, and like to hear our war stories, I have always recieved statements from them that help me with my claim. And military doctors don't have a horse in the race so are more apt to help a veteran that a veteran affairs doctor may be.

Just my Humble opinion

[free_spirit_etc]

Teac,

Does the VA seem to consider med records or notes or opinions from the military physicians as more "credible" than private physicians?

I hope so - because these are the SAME physicians - that had they made ONE note in a SMR would be believed for whatever they said.

And my husband DOES have documentation of asbestos exposure by his treating pulmonogist on base - AND by an oncologist (before the base moved that unit off base and into Tri_care)

Free

I do not advocate paying a doctor just for an opinion. I think it is best to have your primary care doctor, or a specialist that he may refer you to for treatment, write a statement.

I have had good luck with va doctors writing statements then I go to a military hospital and get another written opinion. Not all veterans can use the military hospital system but if you can I think that is the best way to go. Depending on the va doctor, you could get a valid statement. Military doctors are always awed when treating us old timers, and like to hear our war stories, I have always recieved statements from them that help me with my claim. And military doctors don't have a horse in the race so are more apt to help a veteran that a veteran affairs doctor may be.

Just my Humble opinion

[Pete53]

Instead of a Doctor I am wondering if you need a Lawyer? Looks like all you need is in the records?

Good Luck

[free_spirit_etc]

I have thought of that. Not quite sure yet. It might be less costly to get an IMO or 2. And then, with a lawyer, I still might need to get an IMO or 2.

I was hoping that ONE IMO would do.

As far as the asbestos exposure - If I can get an IMO that says if my husband was exposed to asbestos that it is more likely than not the asbestos exposure CONTRIBUTED to the development of his cancer - his medical records should SUPPORT that opinion.

So far the VA has an opinion that my husband's cancer was caused by his smoking - and that asbestos exposure isn't a contribting factor. However, he based that opinion on HIS belief that my husband was NOT exposed to asbestos. He said that though my husband worked as an electrician for 13 years, he was not part of any occupational screening or medical survillience programs. So he ruled out asbestos as a contributing factor because he ruled out asbestos exposure.

We have already submitted evidence to rebut his assumption that the lack of any records of involvement in any occupational safety programs proves my husband wasn't exposed to asbestos.

We submitted the INITIAL Air Force regulation on Asbestos Safety programs - which shows those programs STARTED in 1988. My husband was an electrician from 1970 - 1983. So he was an electrician for THIRTEEN YEARS - in a period that was five years BEFORE the Air Force has ANY safety programs in place.

We also submitted evidence that Interior Electricians (the field my husband was in) NOW are required to wear respiratory protection for some of their work.

So basically, the people that NOW do the work my husband USED TO do - ARE part of those programs.

So - we pointed out that the LACK of involvement in the programs show that my husband was EXPOSED to asbestos WITHOUT any safety measures being taken by the Air Force, more than they show that he was NOT exposed.

My husband also turned in copies of work records, his own statement of things he did to expose him to asbestos. I submitted buddy statements from four people my husband worked with that all support my husband's reports of the type of work they did, the bad shape the asbestos was in in many of the buildings, that no safety measures were in place until the late 80's, etc. I also submitted a report we got from the last Air Force base where my husband worked as an electrician - which showed the base had SIGNIFICANT problems with crumbling asbestos in MANY of the buildings surveyed.

His Medical Records at the AIR FORCE BASE. (These are POST Service - but they are written by the Air Force doctors - the SAME doctors whose reports in SMRS are taken to be FACTS) include:

Written Notes in Chronological Record of Medical Care 10/3/2001 – Dr. XXX pulmonologist (In Medical Records from XXXAir Force Base) state:

“CXR rpt seen > Upper Lobe Scarring & 3 cm Left Lung SPN

Also likely asbestos exposure as electrician 1969 – 1982N.B. – Chart & Consult & pt. Is in Error & pt. Is Non-Small Cell CA & Not Small Cell. Important Differences explained to pt. e. g. Poss. Adeno CA unk 1 ° ? “

(Note - this was also the examination in which Dr. XXX wrote the statement of doubling times and relative risk asbestos exposure, which my husband turned in with his previous claim package) which states:

Former Smoker – Best is 1.4 Times

Current smoker 10

Asbestos 8

Together – 80 > Now

New Patient Note 10/10/2001 – XXXX,, MD – Oncologist

(In Medical Records from XXX Air Force Base) states: “The patient’s past history is somewhat remarkable in that he worked as an electrician in the air force and was exposed to asbestos.”

Written Notes in Chronological Record of Medical Care 11/5/2003 - Dr. XXXX pulmonologist - (In Medical Records from XXX Air Force Base) in which he states:

Hx of Lung Cancer. S/P resection at SLU September 00

3 cm & LLL-ectomy. Adeno CA. Smoker & Asbestos Exposure.

Impr. – 1. Poss Adeno CA Stump Recurr

2. 1st CA 2000

3. Exposure Cigs & Asbestos > 80 x’s Risk

I also turned in A copy of a part of an asbestos education training program from the US Army Medical Center and School Portal, which shows the relevant risks of developing lung cancer from asbestos exposure alone, smoking alone, and a combination of the two (being 80 X’s the risk) – which should support the pulmonologist's notations of the 80's risk.

To me, though these doctors did not come right out and say "it is more likely than not" - the notations of asbestos exposure in BOTH the oncologist and the pulmonogist at the AIR FORCE BASE, indicate they THOUGHT the asbestos exposure was relevant to his cancer - or they wouldn't have mentioned it in their notes.

Additionally - the pulmonologists NOTES SHOWING the 80 times increased risk - within his medical notes on my husband are SAYING "it is my opinion that this man's exposure to asbestos greatly increased his risk of getting cancer" though he doesn't come right out and say it in an official IMO kind of way.

He doesn't give reasons and basis to support his statement of the risk factor - but WE have submitted medical Treatises that support it - including the info from the US Army Medical Center and School Portal - which also shows the 80 x's risk. Even the VA M-21 manual shows that smokers who ae exposed to asbestos have a much greater risk of developing cancer.

So to me - if I can get ONE IMO - the combination of THAT AND the Air Force Base medical records should TRUMP the one VA medical opinion that merely states my husband wasn't even exposed to asbestos -

If the VA decides to get ANOTHER opinion from one of THEIR doctors - I will consider that a fishing expedition to try to defeat the claim.

As the synergetic effects of smoking and asbestos exposure is not only not far-fetched, it is COMMON medical knowledge. If I turn in an IMO and all the doctor notes that are based on COMMON medical knowledge that is even reported in the VA M-21 manual - and they try to find someone that will just say it is their opinion my husband's cancer was caused from smoking even IF it is shown he was exposed to asbestos - that is a fishing expedition to defeat the claim.

And of course, I wouldn't let them get by with relying on that opinion without the doctor giving their reasons and bases that they are throwing ALL KNOWN knowledge of the interaction of asbestos and smoking out the window to totally rule out asbestos as a CONTRIBUTING factor - to determine his cancer was caused by smoking alone.

Free

Instead of a Doctor I am wondering if you need a Lawyer? Looks like all you need is in the records?

Good Luck

[free_spirit_etc]

Nope. I can't request a smoker friendly doctor. They don't "shop" opinions. They send your file to one of their doctors and request an opinion.

I would think that most often, if you are paying $2,900 for an opinion, you are seeking an opinion in SUPPORT of your position.

I would not ask that a doctor write an opinion that was not in line with what they truely believe. But I would also have a problem with paying a doctor $2,900 to write an opinion AGAINST my claim, or to even fail to write an opinion, because of the smoking.

I do know that many doctors DO still consider other factors, especially asbestos exposure - along with smoking. However, other doctors, once they see smoking - that's it. Sole cause. Nothing else. Case closed.

I do not want to risk $2,900 on the chance that I might get a doctor who will at least CONSIDER contributing factors - or at least CONSIDER when the cancer most likely started - even though my husband smoked.

Free

Has anyone used Medopins for an IMO? I was wondering about your experience with them if you have. I was quoted a rate of $2,900 for an opinion.

I think one concern I have is the smoking issue. I think many doctors aren't willing to write a decent opinion for you if you smoke and have cancer.

I am not asking a doctor to lie - or to even go against medical science. In fact I am asking for a doctor to write an opinion that medical science FULLY supports:

1. Slow growing cancer usually grows slow.

2. Abestos exposure often increases you risk of lung cancer, even (and actually especially) when you smoke.

I would certainly hate to pay $2900 for a doctor with an anti-smoking bias - that could not put that bias aside.

I can get doctors do THAT for free.

Can I ask for a "smoker friendly" doctor? Or do you just pay your money and get an expert opinion.

Free