Osa Imo From Sleep Doctor - Recommendation?

[bob_abad]

Hi gang,

Now working on my OSA reopen w/ new evidence(my HTN claim was recently granted) & other AO related issues(DM-II, Diabetic Neprhopathy, etc..-OSA was incurred after service discharge for decades). At the same time, I would like to submit also an IMO from a sleep doctor. Mine here is not cooperative and no clue why I have to claim for VA benefits. He just keep on reminding me to lose weight and my OSA might go away. I consulted w/ another local one but again clueless about putting in for VA claims. Matter of fact, I have to explain what VA stands for...

I am willing to pay for a fee(sleep doctor) if someone can refer me nationwide. Is this possible? Can Dr. Bash do this for me also even if I have to make a trip seeing him in Maryland/DC area?

Hear from you soon. Seeking directives going forward. I realized this OSA claim will be a challenge.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Commander Bob]

Allan posted this IMO info, a few days ago.

QUOTE (allan @ Oct 23 2009, 05:36 AM) 3.328 lndependent medical opinions.

(a) General. When warranted by the medical complexity or controversy involved in a pending claim, an advisory medical opinion may be obtained from one or more medical experts who are not employees of VA. Opinions shall be obtained from recognized medical schools, universities, clinics or medical institutions with which arrangements for such opinions have been made, and an appropriate official of the institution shall select the individual expert(s) to render an opinion.

((IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Requests. A request for an independent medical opinion in conjunction with a claim pending at the regional office level may be initiated by the office having jurisdiction over the claim, by the claimant, or by his or her duly appointed representative. The request must be submitted in writing and must set forth in detail the reasons why the opinion is necessary. All such requests shall be submitted through the Adjudication Officer of the office having jurisdiction over the claim, and those requests which in the judgment of the Adjudication Officer merit consideration shall be referred to the Compensation and Pension Service for approval.

© Approval. Approval shall be granted only upon a determination by the Compensation and Pension Service that the issue under consideration poses a medical problem of such obscurity or complexity, or has generated such controversy in the medical community at large, as to justify solicitation of an independent medical opinion. When approval has been granted, the Compensation and Pension Service shall obtain the opinion. A determination that an independent medical opinion is not warranted may be contested only as part of an appeal on the merits of the decision rendered on the primary issue by the agency of original jurisdiction.

(d) Notification. The Compensation and Pension Service shall notify the claimant when the request for an independent medical opinion has been approved with regard to his or her claim and shall furnish the claimant with a copy of the opinion when it is received. If, in the judgment of the Secretary, disclosure of the independent medical opinion would be harmful to the physical or mental health of the claimant, disclosure shall be subject to the special procedures set forth in 1.577 of this chapter.

(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 5109, 5701((IMG:http://www.hadit.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) (1); 5 U.S.C. 552a(f)(3))

[55 FR 18602, May 3, 1990]

3.329 [Reserved]

Edited October 25, 2009 by Commander Bob

[windy city]

I don't now if you read my post but I was able to win my claim for OSA :D after 3 and a half years of denials. My doctor wrote me an IMO free of charge stating that my OSA was being aggravated by my excesive weight caused by my ptad and medications to treat my ptsd. I feel you don't need to pay so much money for an IMO you just need to talk to your doctor and explain to him about the way the VA operates.

Hi gang,

Now working on my OSA reopen w/ new evidence(my HTN claim was recently granted) & other AO related issues(DM-II, Diabetic Neprhopathy, etc..-OSA was incurred after service discharge for decades). At the same time, I would like to submit also an IMO from a sleep doctor. Mine here is not cooperative and no clue why I have to claim for VA benefits. He just keep on reminding me to lose weight and my OSA might go away. I consulted w/ another local one but again clueless about putting in for VA claims. Matter of fact, I have to explain what VA stands for...

I am willing to pay for a fee(sleep doctor) if someone can refer me nationwide. Is this possible? Can Dr. Bash do this for me also even if I have to make a trip seeing him in Maryland/DC area?

Hear from you soon. Seeking directives going forward. I realized this OSA claim will be a challenge.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[bob_abad]

Hi windy,

Yes, saw your post in the sucess stories side. I am very happy for you. I spent my day today researching. I believe my reopen claim might not make it w/o IMO. Kinda wait & see until I finalize my paper work.