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Hypertension

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Billyboy

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Well I heard from Dr. Bash and he told me it would cost around $3000 for an IMO. Now he did tell me we would need to talk and that may change, go down. He said it would depend upon how complex my case would be. He also told me his success rate was 80-90%. The way my luck has been I would be that 10-20%. So I am contemplating! The 2 Vet offices, not associated with the veterans, don’t spend the money. O what to do. bill

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Billy Boy,

When I was new to filing a claim I hired Dr. Bash for $2000. It was the biggest waste of money I ever spent. I honestly believe that Dr. Bash is out for the money much much more that he is out to help the Veteran. He did absolutly nothing to help my case after stating he could. I told him up front I would need documentation for the SSA, OPM retirement and VA. He sent VA only and after paying him $2000 he sent a cover letter only for SSA and OPm, and then wanted to charge me for that. Dr. Bash is in it for the money only ( in my opinion) and his reports should are not well written. I applied for AO lung cancer presumed and he brings up my smoking habit. I ask him for a writeup on my DDD and he wrote about a half paragraph based on my X-rays and MRI. My CP doctoer did not see his IMO so thank God it said more likely than not SC.

Dr. Bash's opinion is not worth the paper he writes on and I very seriously doubt his success record. Save your money!!!

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Guest jstacy

Billy, An IMO is not going to help you on a presumptive condition if the criteria is not presented. You need to look at the service medical records and see if there were High BP readings. Keep in mind these people used acronyms like HTN. If you find that you may have a chance of success. It would help if you can also find your med recs for the first post service year. Also keep in mind that the readings must be compensable within the first post service year. Systolic ( Top number) 160 or higher and Diastolic ( Bottom) 100 with medication for control. ALso be advised that this is a Yo-Yo service connection for after several readings at the VA the RO will adjust the percentage. Its amazing how they will reduce one but you have to file to get it increased.

You should also try anything to get it under control. Hypertension is a Killer, No doubt about it.

Working on a Claim is the worst thing a person with Hypertension can do because it always elevates the BP. I know for a fact mine has increased and I take 5 different meds to control.

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"it said more likely than not SC"

Callover- what is wrong with that- this is a statement in support of service connection!

I disagree with what you said about Dr. Bash- however-

regarding your AO lung disease-

if you served in Vietnam or in the few places (such as near the DMZ in Korea) within the criteria defined by the VA for presumed exposure, then I cannot see how the VA could deny your lung cancer AO claim-

Hell- most Nam vets never smoked until they got to the Nam anyhow- the cigs were in the ration bags.

These claims definitely need an IMO- if the above statement was regarding the AO claim- I dont see why you did not use it.

The situation is the same as this- say a vet has had diabetes in his family for decades,or is obese,

and he files a DMII AO claim and his exposure is presumed.

The VA might try- but cannot really succeed-in attempting to claim that AO was not the cause of his DMII.

These cases need what you have -the disease could have been caused by this or that- however it is more likely than not due to service.

Please read Dr. Bash's opinion over a again carefully-

we had a vet here who was extremely angry with me for recommending Bash to him and he had quite a ridiculous argument with Craig too via email- he claims he threw the opinion into the garbage after he mailed me a copy of it.

The opinion fully supported the benefits that the veteran was finally awarded (I guess he did send it to VA anyhow)

However this vet wanted service connection for disabilities he did not have and for others he had absolutely no nexus for.I mean you cant say you have AO from Nam if you never went there.

Callover-in your case, it looks to me like Dr. Bash's opinion could help your VA claim.

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I don’t want to discredit Dr. Bash’s record reviews in any way. This is what I did.

I had my local Doctor do a complete exam on me and a review of all military and private medical records a few years ago. He had them for about 30 days.

After his review, he addressed a letter to the Dept. of Veteran Affairs with his findings. He explained how mistakes were made, how evidence was missed, and a medical reasoning why. This is something I was fighting the VA for over 20 plus years. I had no other options, my last change. I took it and glad I did. It had opened the VA eyes to all their years of denial and disagreement of my claims.

This may sound pretty simple, but it worked. The bottom line is, this cost me $35.00, the price of an office visit. Not all Doctor are this interested in VA claims but thankfully mine was.

Just another view on your options.

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Hi Berta,

I did get my SC for AO Lung Cancer. It was not due to Dr. Bash though, it is presumed. The same as with my DM11. Dr. Bash wrote nothing in his report of DM even though he had my test results. I got awarded from presumtion from Viet Nam. The cancer was also presumed by law. I was lucky that Dr. Bash didn't get me denied by even mentioning smoking. He wrote a small statement about my back DDD and it was denined He wrote about my heart and my BP. My BP stayed at 10% and heart problems denied. I know you helped alot of veterans here and they as well as I am appreciative of your efforts. With all respect I strongly disagree with you on Dr. Bash. I do not think his opinions are near worth the money he charges. If he is such an advocate for Vet's why does he charge so much. He may be known in the Washington, DC area but his IMO's are not well written. You have the copy I sent you a while back and I stated then I did not believe it was well written. I would not reccommend Bash to anyone. Instead pay a doctor in your own area to examine you in person. I think it is a waste of money to pay Bash $2000 for a second rate opinion. He even wants more money if you want him to write follow up. I know you used him. Are your cases still pending or did he get you an award. I don't see much on the VA boards about all the success he claims to have had.

With respect, Callover

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Guest jstacy

Callover, Dr Bash is a Neuro Radiologist. If a Vet has a problem with the Spine and Nerves, Then His opinion is hard to beat. At least he is willing to look at the evidence and write an opinion to help the Veterans. $2000.00 is not allot of money in the case of very large retros. The Service may also be tax deductible. He was going to help me with my claim until I won before hand.

Billy Boy, You may need to see a Kidney specialist. These Kidney Docs are the experts on Blood Pressure to get it under control.

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