Dr. Bash

[JohnM]

We have sent the form in for Dr. Bash to help us with my brothers claim. Does anyone know how long it takes for him to reply and how much it will cost? Thanks for advise in advance.

Dianne

[john999]

If a thousand dollars gets you SC or a significant increase then that is money well spent.

[halos2]

So can you say how favorable your claim results were by using Dr.Bash's IMO along with the rest?

I used Dr. Bash---he did take alot longer to supply his IMO-independent medical opinion then advertised. I used the IMO some two years ago, paying him $1000. However, the IME-independent medical exams I obtained were (I feel) as much, maybe more beneficial. I used three neurologists, three orthopedic physicians, and a physiatrist. (Most of which was paid by private medical insurance, fortunately). What Dr. Bash did was evaluate the "medical evidence". Dr. Bash is good. However, if possible, submit evidence from more than one medical specialty. Also, you will find the VARO try to downplay Dr. Bash's "IMO" as he did not actually exam you. Hogwash--the rebuttal is the IMO is still viable supportive "medical evidence". Good luck!!

[Teac]

We have sent the form in for Dr. Bash to help us with my brothers claim. Does anyone know how long it takes for him to reply and how much it will cost? Thanks for advise in advance.

Dianne

I contacted him for a problem in 2004, two or three times, he never responded. Then I went to a military hospital and request IMO from civillian doctors that worked for uncle sam.. I ended up with three seperate independant medical opinions all favorable, here it is 2008 and the claim still hasn't been decided.

I am not saying Bash is good or not, I don't know... but knowing what I know now I would never pay for an opinion.

[vmo]

*Clarification: Dr. Bash's IMO was "good" not great. Would I use him again--probably not. Also, when he quoted his fee to me--I negotiated it down quite a bit. Then he requested more if my claim was increased--when he sent the "late" IMO to me. Sorry---I got an increase, he did not. I am more fortunate than most as I have two major medical plans in addition to VA Medical Centers. I obtained as many private IMO-IME statements as I could. *When I received IMO-IME that was detrimental (not supportive) I tossed it. Be careful what you fire at the VA, cause sometimes they shoot back. I think the most beneficial statement I obtained was from the "physiatrist" (not psychiatrist) who specializes in physical medicine/rehabilitation, as my claim involved spine, knees, & neurology. New conditions were granted service connected. However, I was satisfied with BVA decision, but not the VA rating percentage from VARO. So---here we go again.

[allan]

Also keep in mind, that no matter how specialized the IMO Dr is or how many are sent in, the VA only needs one of their contracted nurse practioners to comment and deny.

They are allowed to ignor "any" IMO you obtain from any specialist and seek one that suits them.

[halos2]

Allan

OMG how right you are. I had the worst Nurse practioner do my C&P...she was 3 hrs late let me believe she was a DR as I called her Dr she lied and lied on C&P exam, called her 2x on the phone when I got my copy of exam report from medical records and she swore she didn't write what was on report...she said they must have mixed up reports yet did nothing to correct it.

So I went to Patient advocate and found out this NP was removed from doing any C&P's ever because of complaints and untruth info. but still with 2 IMO's VA believe her lies

Told VA in hearing about her lies and misrepresentation of not being a doctor, gave them her name and nurse's license number too yet none of this was on my transcript and they denied my claim related to her determination.....Going to BVA

:P

Also keep in mind, that no matter how specialized the IMO Dr is or how many are sent in, the VA only needs one of their contracted nurse practioners to comment and deny.

They are allowed to ignor "any" IMO you obtain from any specialist and seek one that suits them.