Dr Bash

[meghp0405]

can anyone tell me the cost range associated with the IMO's for Dr Bash? I'm working with a vet that really needs a powerful IMO.

Thank you

[Philip Rogers]

I'd say $1500 and up, depending on how much he has to do. Could go $3500-$4000. He'll give you an idea when you talk to him.

pr

Edited July 11, 2013 by Philip Rogers

[broncovet]

He quoted me 3000 and that was 4 years ago. IMHO, Dr. Bash is not the best way to go because:

1. He is expensive.

2. Most likely, he will "review" the records but offer no "new" evidence. If a local doc does tests on you, he can interpret these tests and offer "new and material evidence" under 38 cfr 3.156. A doc who just reviews others evidence is not "new" evidence.

3. The VA knows Dr. Bash well. And they take every opportunity to "discount" (that is, deny your claim) his opinion.

Here is an example of the VA "fighting" the opinion of Dr. Bash:

https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=ShowDoc/01212259669

Here is another:

https://efiling.uscourts.cavc.gov/cmecf/servlet/TransportRoom?servlet=ShowDoc/01202053599

[Berta]

I have a completely different take on what the court stated under # 44 in the Fed Cir opinion as it appeared that Dr Bash challenged the expertise of the examiner and the veteran got a remand.

A remand is always a foot still in the door!

In the POW CAVC case it appeared to me that 2 other doctors concurred with and corroborated with Dr. Bash's opinion.

The widow of this WWII POW got a remand .too.

In the past VA used to get very tough on Dr. Bash.One BVA lawyer derogatorily referred to him as “that radiologist” .in their decision.

I have a copy of a letter somewhere from either former VA Secretary Mansfield or from the Office of General Counsel VA (maybe from both entities) ,to Dr. Bash , apologising for some crap he was getting fonm the VA and thanking him for his help with expert medical opinions on behalf of veterans. forget the actual wording.

Sure he is expensive.

My 2 IMOs cost me 4 thousand bucks. (2005 /2006)

I had already won FTCA and 1151 wrongful death on my lay medical background alone.

My AO DMII claim should not have required an IMO because it was medically sound as it stood.

But I wasnt dealing with OGC and VA Central office top guns legally and medically (who can read) with my DMII AO claim..... I was dealing with a RO who had already put me through the wringer.Many times.

The IMO fee would have been much higher for me,I am quite sure, if I had not laid out the whole medical 9 yards in my cover letter to the medical records and evidence that I sent to Dr. Bash.

It didnt take him long to go over te veteran's medical records, etc, and the scenario documented by the VA that led to the DMII diagnosis ,which VA had never diagnosed in the veteran's lifetime and which, along with their malpractice ,was the cause of his death.

I have to make this point Broncovet and I value all of your comments here , although I strongly disagree with this one.

It is Medical Evidence that awards service connection.

If the medical evidence and/or the nexus factor ,if needed, is NOT there, no IMO doctor can really opine beyond speculation and the VA would disregard that type of IMO.

There are no IMO miracles in the VA claims process.

“Most likely, he will "review" the records but offer no "new" evidence. “

In my IMO and in those of a few vets I know, he found “new conditions” they should claim.

He cant come up with “new” evidence, as it is the established medical record that any doc ,even a VA C & P doc, depends on.

But he sure might find some “old” medical evidence that the VA had completely overlooked.

This is just my opinion after many phone calls, emails, we exchanged and my doing some SVR shows with Dr. Bash,all over the last 8 years ,regarding many veteran's and survivors issues, that had nothing to do with my DMII claim.

[jbasser]

Megh, send your vet to him. Let the vet send his records. Bash will review them and quote a price.

If you need help, PM me.

Basser

[meghp0405]

thanks for the comments! Jbasser, I'll get back with the vet and if he wants to pursue this, I'll PM you. Thank you for your assistance!

[broncovet]

I am not going to dispute what Berta says..she is the best. If you can afford Dr. Bash, by all means go for it. I still think it is quite possible, or even likely, that you can get a "local" doc to do an IMO/IME that will be less expensive than Dr. Bash.

I do think Dr. Bash is highly experienced doing Vets IMO;s and he knows exactly what they want. For example, a doc who is unfamiliar with the VA may write an opinion such as, "The Veterans malady could be due to military service". That is a deal breaker. "Could" in the VA eyes means speculative and automatic denial. You see Doc's often say things like "Take these pills and you "could" get better. This is not pure speculation, or the doc would not prescribe them.

Doc Bash, on the other hand will write the opinion as he knows the VA needs to award. He is very Veteran friendly and will do his best to give a favorable opinion. Most people dont expect to pay Doc Bash $3000 for him to opine your disease was not caused in service.

You need a Veteran friendly doc, and while Doc Bash is Veteran friendly, I think there are other docs who are also Veteran friendly who may charge less.

Edited July 12, 2013 by broncovet