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How To Find An Independent Medical Examiner

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Snake Eyes

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Snake Eyes

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I need an independent medical examiner or at least a doctor who can render an objective opinion. My primary care doc says he cannot write a letter about my condition(s) because he would be acting in the place of an "advocate" instead of an objective observer.

I tried Googling "Independent Medical Observer" and got a lot of lawyer sites or "expert witness" type sites.

Any suggestions from people who have had an IME or IMO done?

Snake Eyes
SFC, USA (Ret)

90% -- Still breathing :-)

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"I thought I had it bad.... 'till I looked around me."

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Pete53 Grand Master

Pete53

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Hadit has quite a few who have posted their experience on Hadit. I suggest that you try and find a Doc who knows you first. If this is not possible ask your Service Officer if they can recommend some that do OMI's for VA. Lastly the Social Security Lawyers have Docs that they use to help their clients.

You have to search and than interview.

Veterans deserve real choice for their health care.

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babyray Rising Star

babyray

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I use Dr Craig Bash, use him two times. I am now 160% disable with his IMO's. To find his website, google him. Hope this help, good luck.

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john999 Grand Master

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I think I would make an appointment with a private doctor who is a specialist in the area of interest to me. If he won't write something up for you then he probably knows doctors who will. Many doctor's do IME's on the side. I have two doctors who do them. The SSD lawyers know who to use. If you can get a specialist with lots of credentials it is best. For my mental health claim I used three doctors. Two of them had treated me in the past and one was a real IME. When you visit an IME doctor they know where the money is coming from so you can depend on them to do a pretty good job for you. Imagine if every doctor the VA hired to do IME's was very vet friendly. They would stop using those docs. Having a private doctor who is actually treating you and knows you is really the best.

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Snake Eyes Collaborator

Snake Eyes

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Thanks all for your insights. I have an appointment set up for an EMG soon and I'll see if they can do one as well. For now, it's Dr. Bash, since he's in the area for awhile and can do an actual exam in addition to the IMO.

Snake Eyes
SFC, USA (Ret)

90% -- Still breathing :-)

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"I thought I had it bad.... 'till I looked around me."

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