Qq About Dr. Bash? Requesting For Imo..

[bob_abad]

QQ gang,

I live in northern California(Sf Bay Area), and Dr. Bash's office is in Maryland/Washington D.C. area. I am aware that he is an expert helping out Vets for disability claims, etc.

As an option and if I decided to work with him coming up w/ an OSA IMO, will VA sort of raise the flag how in the heck can I have an IMO from a well known Vet friendly/VA oriented doctor 3k miles away? I could be wasting $$$. This possible?

Hope to hear from the gang. Thanks!

[bob_abad]

Paul,

Thanks for sharing your experience w/ Dr. Bash. Glad to know he was able to help w/ your claim.

I arranged for another clinic visit w/ my Sleep and PC doctor in early March timeframe. I will give it another shot one more time for an IMO.

Initially(this past week), I just mentioned it that I would like to request an IMO of my ongoing Sleep Apnea to VA about service connected disability rating increase. He acted surprised and said 'Never than that'

This time(in March), I will bring my folders and share w/ them the diff. associations of OSA<=>DM-II, etc... Looks like my sleep doctor in particular, have some learning to do. My PC doctor already helped me out(IMO) with my reopen claim of HTN as secondary to DM-II & Diabetic Neprhopathy(Kidney issue)..

Keep in touch, California Bro!

[Berta]

Thanks for the kind words Bob a Bad-

every single person here makes a difference because-even if they ask a question that might even seem to be a dumb question to them-we all learn from their questions as well as learn from each other.

Pete- you are so right!

I personally think it is a disgrace that any vet would have to spend IMO money-

but the reality is that often a good IMO awards the claim- meaning so much for the fair shake idea from VA and any expectation that a VA C & P doctor will actually consider all the facts and evidence.

When you consider that the tax payers pay for C & P docs, and then often an IMO will overrule their medical rationale-it makes me wonder what 'expertise' most of them have to opine on claims.

(or for that matter-give proper health care too)

A costly IMO should be viewed as an investment- because often a few comp checks -that could potentially result from the IMO itself -will often cover the initial cost of it.

[babyray]

I use Dr C. Bash twice. In 10/2007, the good doc wrote me an IME for claim that was with the BVA. The BVA gave me 40% service connection for my knee & thigh base on what Dr Bash said in his IME. This IME cost me $2,000.00 but it was worth it because I got $20,000.00 in retro pay.

That not all. In 12/2007 I applied for secondary service connection claim for my depression, spine, & hip. Dr Bash wrote me up another IME for $2,000.00 & I was granted secondary service connection & I got over $2,000.00 in retro pay. He is excellant & worth every penny. I highly recommend him to everybody.

When I get ready file a claim for TDIU later this year, I will use him for the Independant Medical Opinion (IME). Hope this help someone. Chow!!!

[iraqx2]

I would search closer to home for a Vet friendly IMO. But if you feel strongly about Dr. Bash, than do what you have to do.

If this pertains to PTSD, I know of a local shrink that helped me BIG TIME with my IMO against my claim. And he was so cheap. PM me if anyone need more info.

[vmo]

I think IMO's are not that beneficial (in most not all cases) when dealing with the VA, as physician does not actually examine the Vet.

However, an IME with review of C-file referenced to--is far more valuable (as the physician actually examined the Vet and reviewed C-file).

I used Dr. Bash for an IMO which I believe overall, was beneficial--but expensive. In addition, I used quite a number of other medical specialists, that were just as beneficial. Dr. Bash's "forte" is he knows the VA language and what they look/or don't look for. **My two cents worth: if I was to use Dr. Bash again, it would be for an IME not an IMO. I wonder what the difference in his fee would be: IME vrs. IMO???

[bob_abad]

babyray,

You just got me curious about Dr. Bash again.

Questions:

> Did you send him your c-file copy, or just bunch of your file/records from your claim & VA responses?

> Did you work w/ him face-to-face, or by phone/correspondence?

I really need a strong IMO to file my sleep apnea claim(after service) as secondary to (AO) diabetes-II, hypertension, weight gain due to medication, diabetic Neprhopathy, etc...This type of claim(OSA) I understand is hard to win unless it is secondary to PTSD, which I do not have. Though, I have a symptom of depression and stress since early 90's.

Hear from you soon..