Psych Imo

[bern381]

Soon, I will be going to a civilian psychologist to collect evidence to support my claim of depression secondary to chronic pain from service connected disabilities (shoulders). I have been researching VBA decisions and I am fretting about the wording that the psychologist will use. What kind of terminology outside of "at least as likely as possible" should I make sure the report contains? Also, should I get a complete copy of my progress notes to take for the psychologist to review? Should the psych doc reference these notes when stating his/her conclusion?

[poolguy11550]

Soon, I will be going to a civilian psychologist to collect evidence to support my claim of depression secondary to chronic pain from service connected disabilities (shoulders). I have been researching VBA decisions and I am fretting about the wording that the psychologist will use. What kind of terminology outside of "at least as likely as possible" should I make sure the report contains? Also, should I get a complete copy of my progress notes to take for the psychologist to review? Should the psych doc reference these notes when stating his/her conclusion?

Question- have you approached his Dr. specifically about an IMO? Either way, for an IMO to be prefect the examiner must have reviewed all medical records and he/she should write line item what specific records he/she reviewed for the opinion. The terminology is very important go here to get the C&P Clinic Guide http://www.dsjf.org/VA%20Files/Clinician%20Guide%20v2.pdf

this pretty much fill in the blanks in regard to the terminology and other issues.

Edited January 29, 2009 by poolguy11550

[tssnave]

Bern -

Check out section 1.16 of the Clinician's Guide that PoolGuy gave a link to in his post. That is where you will see the legally recognized terminology that you want your IMO doc to use.

Do not, I say again, do NOT use "at least as likely as possible" as that is NOT one of the legally recognized nexus statements and would be up to the VA to interpret. Keep your IMO in accordance with the Clinician's Guide for nexus. The first or second should present no problems w/ the VA and the third should be awarded under the reasonable doubt doctrine (but I would prefer the first or second if the doc believes they are accurate):

1. is due to (100% assure)

2. more likely than not (greater than 50%)

3. at least as likely as not (50%)

Good luck and keep us posted on your claim progress,

TS Snave

[bern381]

I haven't yet approached this doctor about an IMO. I was going to ask him at our initial appointment. I'll explain what is going on and what I am trying to accomplish. Hopefully, he will write an IMO that will accuractely reflect my progress notes and support my claim. I am kind of nervous because I don't know what to expect. I have never gotten an IMO from a civilian doctor. However, I feel that a good report will definitely tip the scales in my favor. Thanks for the clinician guide. It will definitely be helpful.

[john999]

It is best to bring up what you want pretty quick because you don't want to waste money on a doctor who is not going to write a good report for you. Doctor's aren't dumb. They know you want an "IMO" that supports your claim. If they write something weak or negative they know you will never come back and will tell your friends the doctor is an ass. They need to make a living and you are paying them.

They don't like to think of themselves as whores so you have to let them do their thing without being too pushy.

[tssnave]

Bern,

I advocate letting the shrink know before you see him what you want to make sure he is willing to even do an IMO. I had to call almost 6 shrinks until I found on who would even consider writing an IMO. Most of them wanted to offer me marriage counseling or treatment for myself but none of them wanted to take on a short term IMO project.

Luckily, one shrink I talked to face to face in her office gave me a referral to another shrink who she thought had worked at the VA (he hadn't but he does do work for SS so it was a good fit). He turned out to be very good and wrote a slam dunk IMO. I paid straight time for our sessions (several with me alone and several with my spouse so he could get a clear clinical picture of my bipolar) as well as his writing time so it wasn't cheap (several thousand dollars) - however, since I went from 50% to 100% P&T it was well worth it.

Look in your phone book and call up shrinks and ask them if they will work with you on a VA claim. If they have done SS work they understand what you need. You can also look in the phone book and call SS attorneys and ask them for a shrink referral.

My IMO shrink was at first very gruff and let me know in no uncertain terms that he would only write a report that reflected the clinical picture he saw, not what I wanted to see. I told him that was fine because all I needed was an accurate and truthful IMO and if the VA would do their job in accordance with their regs it would all work out (which it did, I am 100% P&T). Once he knew I wasn't trying to scam the system we got along famously and I liked him so much I started seeing him weekly.

Keep us posted on the outcome of your IMO and claim,

TS

[bern381]

tssnave, I took your advice and called the psych doc today. Initially, I was kind of down because the main receptionist told me that most of the doctors there don't do that kind of thing. However, she did refer me to my doctors offic assistant and she told me that the doctor would be more than happy to help me out. We shall see on the 17th! I'll keep you all posted. Thanks again for the help :D