Imo

[sbrewer]

I need help one more time. I'm sure this will not be the last time but I know what IMO stands for

but, how do who go about getting one. Like if you need an opinion for a knee or toe problem do you

go to an Orthopedic dr. or if you need heart disease to depression do you go to Pych. or Heart dr.?

Thanks,

sbrwer

[Pete53]

First you should see if your VA Doc would be willing to help you. Than you might check with Docs that Social Security Lawyers use for their clients. Believe it or now a good SO might be able to help.

Dr. Bash has done well for several Veterans here at Hadit. He is expensive but he will discuss whether or not he can help. I think people with physical injuries can get the most help from him.

I found a shrink in 1993 who helped me win my case but it was not an easy task.

Good luck on your quest.

[john999]

I agree with Pete. Get a board certified psychiatrist. Always use a specialist to do your IMO. If you want to play you have to pay. This is dirty pool and you have to get just as dirty as the VA with their IMO prostitue doctors aged 80 years. The old shrink I saw in 1972 is still working at the VA seeing patients. He was old in 1972. I just had a steroid injection so I am off the leash.

[LeroyJohnson]

Something else to consider when paying for a IMO is that you get a really well written opinion. make sure they give a good reason for each point they make for you or it will get shot down. And if you have to have a rebuttal letter written it will cost you half of whatever price you paid for in the first place (at least in the case of DR. Bash ). So make sure you are happy with what is written . Dr. Bash is easy to work with and will try to help any way he can as long whatever you ask of him is in your records .

[sbrewer]

Thanks everyone.

His VA dr. is of no help at all. She has stated to him in the past that she thinks everyone is trying to

get something for nothing(I son't remember exact wording but very close to that). She looks fresh

out of med school and probably just sticking around until her time is up there. He wants to switch drs.

after his next app. with her which is 5/18,

Anyway, is there any thing special that the dr. needs to write? Any form or something like that to go by

Thanks,

sbrewer

[Berta]

Leroy is correct- they should clearly state their expert and whatever gives them via their experience -the rationale for their opinion.

Also they should state that they read all VA med records available , and refer tp specific VA or SMR records SMRs and anything else pertinent to the claim.

If this is for a shrink IMO- I suggest getting a psychiatrist-not a psychologist-who will most surely want to do the many tests that reveal PTSD, depression, anxiety etc, to state a full diagnosis and then to state how, in their opinion, the SMRs support that it is an inservice event that caused the PTSD, depression etc-

Dr. Bash sends a 9-10 page Curriculum Vitae showing his entire background.

In my case his opinion is highly probative as the VA has never assessed my husband's MRI of brain results-

As a Neuro Radiologist this gave him absolute rationale to opine on the MRI findings.

I say since IMOs can be costly- you might as well get the best doctor you can- specific to the field of your disability.It pays to get one within traveling distance too as I see VA denies many claims with IMOs because the IMO doc did not physically examine the vet.

[sbrewer]

Sorry for beating the dead horse, but I still don't quite understand.

The shrink for example...can be a board certified pychiatrist I assume outside the VA correct?

Also, the word costly has came in a couple of responses...if you have medical insurance, would it

cover an IMO or not? Would this be like a regular dr. visit or is there something else in searching

for an IMO dr.?

Again, sorry for beating that horse

sbrewer