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]

It's me again..

Sorry for my ignorance. What's the difference between IME and IMO?

[broncovet]

I think the difference is IMO is Independent medical Opinion, where the Doctor reviews the medical records, and offers his opinion.

AN IME adds that the doctor does an examination, in addition to a review of the Veterans medical history.

Altho I have not heard this on this board, it would seem to me that the doctor personally examining the Veteran (IME) would likely bear more weight than him just reviewing the records and what other doctors had written in his chart. JMHO

[babyray]

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..

Dear bob abad: I didn't send Dr Bash my c-file. All I sent was my copies of my medical records;other docs opinions; mri reports; c&p progress notes;etc.

I

[babyray]

Dear bob abad: I didn't send Dr Bash my c-file. All I sent was my copies of my medical records;other docs opinions; mri reports; c&p progress notes;etc.

I worked w/ him via phone/correspondent. I don't think there is a difference between an Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) or an Independent Medical Evaluation (IME). As far as can ascertain, they are the same in my opinion. Anyone else knows something? Chow!!!

[Berta]

Yes- you are correct IMO-Independent Medical Opinion-

IME Independent Medical Examination.

I have seen private opinions rejected because the veteran was not perconally examined by the opining doctor.

Then again there are many other cases where the IMO doctor provided the opinion without need for physical examination.

If an opining outside doctor has all records, to include any C & P results , they often can make a valid opinion without a direct examination of the veteran.

Broncovet said:

"Altho I have not heard this on this board, it would seem to me that the doctor personally examining the Veteran (IME) would likely bear more weight than him just reviewing the records and what other doctors had written in his chart."

That is a good point and many disabilities would need a personal examination.This could be critital if the VA is rating under the wrong diagnostic code or not addressing the extent of the disability.

Many disabilities get worse after a claim is filed and worse after the initial C & P and sometimes an IMO or IME provides a more current picture of the actual extent of the conditions and their affect to the veteran.

I also had a brief statement in email from a former VA doctor who had treated my husband which Dr. used in his IMos and the BVA gave this statement weight.It wasnt much -it was just "Ms. Simmons All of those glucose readings were abnomally high".

I had asked VA in 2003 to subpeona this doctor to confirm his statements in the med recs.But I had his name wrong. The VA had sent me a letter that he was never employed by the VA.

It took 6 months to find him via google as this neurologist had left the VA. It was difficult to understand his signature.

I emailed him and then he asked for the specific records he wrote which I sent to him-

but the glucose reading blood chem report copy I had had been copied by VA in such a way that you could not read the test names too well.Of all the records this was critical and he asked for a better copy.

That took me 3 0r 4 months of absolute needless BS from the VA-to get a copy of that record.

to make this short-

this neurologist had treated my husband at VA and had noted what he had suspected -that Rod had diabetes.

VA however did no follow up to his notes and test requests.

Although his statement to me in email was so brief,. the BVA gave this former treating doctor's statement considerable weight as it corroborated the extensive opinion from Dr. Bash.

[rdawg]

vmo,

The difference in price for me was $500. I insisted that he examine me and said OK but it'll cost you.

babyray,

Spend the extra $$ to get the IME. While I was debating using Dr. Bash I read about a thousand BVA decisions and in some cases, with all other things being equal (like availability of records to the Dr., expertise of the Dr., etc.), the decision went against the vet because the C&P examiner (who wrote a negative opion like they do 99% of the time) had actually examined the vet and the IMO Dr. had not.

I applied for DDD of low back in MArch of 06. Denied in July. They did not even afford me a C&P which actually worked out in my favor later on. I submitted new evidence in Sep 06 in the form of a letter from my chiropractor. He had not reviewed my c-file. I was denied again. I spent $2500 on an IME from Dr. Bash after giving him my complete c-file and all private medical records. I submitted the IME and asked for a reconsideration based on new evidence. They service connected my back, IBS, scar and toe fractue in 60 days without ever examining me. That's right I'm 30% and never had a C&P. The only thing I would argue with is the 10% rating on IBS, I think it should have been 30% but oh well.

rdawg