Got An Imo Locally

[Jayg]

Howdy all. I found a doctor that gave me a 'more likely than not' on connecting my arthritis to my sc conditions (flat feet and ankle injury). I gave the good Dr. a copy of Strickland's sample letter and he tried to follow it but he didn't get it right in detail. I had fore warned him that VA was fussy as all get out and he told me to let him know if it needed altered so there's no problem on that end.

He gave me three lightly filled pages with information scattered about and omitted a lot of detail, providing mainly broad statements/impressions. Too, I hadn't brought the full battery of my records since at this first visit, I hadn't actually expected the letter. His office people really had no idea what I was asking of him so I just expected to explain what I wanted and to see if he would do it. He accepted the idea, looked at what I had brought and gave me an exam. then produced the 'letter.'

What I'm wanting to do is spoon feed him the finished product as near as I can so he pretty much just has to fill in the blanks, as it were.

That's where you good folk come in. B)

Please bear with me as this is long but I really need input here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is his, I guess call it opinion or cover letter with my edits for him in Italics. The next two are his additional pages. Some information useful, some needs amended and some omitted as potentially harmful or just needless. In the end, it all needs shuffled into a whole... This is what I'm hoping you all can help me with. Something fit to set VA back on it's heels. And this is in time for my Hearing in March.

Edited February 5, 2009 by Jayg

[carlie]

Jayg,

Unable to open those links.

You will need to upload the file into Hadit.

jmho,

carlie

[Jayg]

Jayg,

Unable to open those links.

You will need to upload the file into Hadit.

jmho,

carlie

So I noticed. B)

First time I ever added anything to a post here but I think I've got it now. :D

[Commander Bob]

Howdy all. I found a doctor that gave me a 'more likely than not' on connecting my arthritis to my sc conditions (flat feet and ankle injury). ...and he told me to let him know if it needed altered so there's no problem on that end.

Congratulations on the IMO, "Jayq". It sounds like you have a doctor that wants to help you. I plan to get IMOs for my appeal. I am waiting for the VA denial letter. My file date is July, 2008. Best wishes for a successful outcome with your claim.

[john999]

It sounds pretty good. You may have wanted the doctor to say he had reviewed all your service medical records and your current medical records. Do you have a copy of your SMR's? If you don't the VA may throw it up in your face that your doctor could not have reviewed them. However, I think the letter is pretty good since he did say he had reviewed your medical records. If you are asking for TDIU you know you may have a fight on your hands just because if you can walk they tend to believe you can work.

[LarryJ]

Yup, it's GOT to say "I've reviewed his Service Medical Records.....", otherwise they'll shoot ya down.

[Jayg]

Yup, it's GOT to say "I've reviewed his Service Medical Records.....", otherwise they'll shoot ya down.

Yes, I have those records and the doctor is willing to work with me on it. So far, including the exam, he's only charged me $92. My hearing is in mid March so I have time to fine tune it.

Reviewed SMR, I'll get that in.

What else?

I've got Jim Strickland's sample 'nexus letter' (that's what I gave the doc). I'd like to review Berta's sample. I thought I'd saved a copy but can't find it either in my files or here-a-bouts.

Thanks much all so far.

I can walk but not far. That's why they gave me one of those walkers and a scooter. And if you saw my med list, whooo I can't imagine any employers whose insurance would even cover me. Without distraction, I can't even stay awake long enough to sit in a guard shack. Heck, I frequently doze off pecking on the computer. Can't depend on keeping my count straight long enough to run a cash register.

Besides, by trade I was a machinist. Not like I have any marketable skills for 'more sedentary work.' And, there is that bit about 'gainful employment.'

There's good justification for my IU claim.