Hired Dr. Bash

[Scout Swimmer]

My wife was denied Asthma and headaches in 2011. The appeal is currently at BVA and after I had her pull her file from her CVSO, I realized her vet rep was rather incompetent. (Her claim was a real mess and I knew she would lose if something didn't change fast).

My first step was meeting with John Dorle. We bought her paperwork and met at a caribou coffee in Elk River MN, 4 weeks ago.

He proceeded to go over all her paperwork and give us his opinion. He informed us that we would lose and are representation we currently had was inadequate to say the least. He also advised us if we hired him, we should hire Dr. Craig Bash as well.

I was very impressed with John. He seemed very knowledgeable and friendly. He came up with a plan that seemed to make sense rather quickly, so we took his advice and hired Dr. Bash.

We then met with Dr. Bash accompanied by John. He looked over my wife's file and felt confident that he could help us. We hired him that day and wrote a check. He also provided IMO's for new secondary conditions and said he would attend any conference we might have with BVA.

He then contacted us later in the week and asked us for more money because he felt that her case was stronger than he first anticipated. I thought it strange that he would renegotiate an already negotiated price but we agreed.

We paid a lot of money, and I am wondering if any of you have had a bad experience with Dr. Bash in a claim. (If you lose, does he just ride off in the sunset? Does he really live up to his name, ect ect)? I understand that no claim is a guarantee and the VA has a rather large bag of tricks to screw Veterans out of entitlements but I hope these guys will fight for us.

Thanks,

Edited March 25, 2015 by Philgrenier (see edit history)

[saints13]

I don't know about dr. Bash but good things. A good lawyer will cost you though. I spent 2,000.00 retainer on a custody battle and first appearance I walked out looking like the laughing stalk. I then dropped him and got best attorney in town. 7500.00 retainer then after more review of case asked for more because a father almost never gets custody. 2 years later I have full sole custody of my children and out of state. When leaving the court everyone was clapping for me and lawyer. Judge stopped me and said it was first case of a father getting full sole custody and can take kids out of the state to where I lived. Long story sorry. Short story, you get what you pay for is what I assume.

[Scout Swimmer]

Wow and congrats!

[RUREADY]

the last time I ask him for a IMO it was for about 10 grand what he ask for and then

because I was suppose to get a large retro check he wanted more. I refuse but good luck

with that

[Scout Swimmer]

RUREADY,

So you paid him for the IMO, ended up winning, and then he wanted more?

Edited March 26, 2015 by Philgrenier (see edit history)

[63SIERRA]

good help isnt cheap, and cheap help isnt good. What you are paying for is thier knowledge. Knowledge can be very hard earned, and very time consuming. Phil just let go a little bit, let them work it. relax and know you are in good hands.

Something else you need to consider, even after winning, later down the road, the VA can always rear thier ugly head and try to reduce or revoke, if you develop a good rapport, and pay these guys fairly, they will have your back.. its a lifelong endeavor brother.

The VA is surely not planning to pay 25 year old vets 3300 a month for 50 years. they will try and try, and you have to be ready.

[RUREADY]

RUREADY,

So you paid him for the IMO, ended up winning, and then he wanted more?

Heck no I refuse to pay that much and cant guarantee me a win I found a doctor

in Florida from my attorney for about $1500.00 I believe but than VA didn't even look at

the IMO so I am stuck in the appeals. Maybe CAVC will read it.lol

[saints13]

Send in a CUE and then a NOD shortly after that. I learned that from mrs. Berta. I forgot the regulation but it has to do with having ALL evidence to be considered before a decision can be made. I did it and my case was opened again additional c&p exams which I fully still don't understand why but it stayed with the same effective date. I'm new here and never made it past the RO office yet.

[saints13]

Sorry you guys are already past the BVA level, sorry I forgot to go back up to original post.

[Gastone]

I'm not Sherlock Holms but "The Game is Afoot" and somethings not right. In your guestamit, what SC % and size of Retro are you looking at? These seem to be very unusual Legal representation contracts unless you previously agreed to Fee Increases as determined by your Attorney or Dr Bash.

If you choose, a little more contract info would be appreciated. Am I correct, your wife's appeal has been physically transfered to the BVA for the Official BVA Hearing, Docket # assigned? This is definitely what would be referred to as an 11th Hour action. Will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

Semper Fi

Gastone

[Buck52]

I would use Dr BASH anytime, his fees are not questionable in my opinion, he works hard and fights for the veteran he deserves to be paid well

jmo

..........................Buck

[Scout Swimmer]

Well, we paid so I guess no use worrying about it. Just going to try and stay positive. (some days that's harder than others), but I at least know her claim stands a better chance and I that's all I we can do for now.

[63SIERRA]

The va has become experts and sticking it to vets for half a century. unless you have an ace in the hole, its like a bantam weight fighting a heavyweight, you are out gunned. I personally consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on VA shenanigans,(because theyve tried so many on me),, but compared to what Dorle and Bash know, I know very little.

The only great thing I ever recieved in this life for free, is the love I have from my family and my salvation from the Lord.

back in the late 70s a popular bumper stick used to read.. ASS, GAS, OR GRASS, NOBODY RIDES FOR FREE.

[RUREADY]

I would use Dr BASH anytime, his fees are not questionable in my opinion, he works hard and fights for the veteran he deserves to be paid well

jmo

..........................Buck

keep paying for something you can get for free your choice I chose another route

and less expensive 100% p&T less 10 grand

Edited March 26, 2015 by RUREADY (see edit history)

[RUREADY]

The va has become experts and sticking it to vets for half a century. unless you have an ace in the hole, its like a bantam weight fighting a heavyweight, you are out gunned. I personally consider myself somewhat knowledgeable on VA shenanigans,(because theyve tried so many on me),, but compared to what Dorle and Bash know, I know very little.

The only great thing I ever recieved in this life for free, is the love I have from my family and my salvation from the Lord.

back in the late 70s a popular bumper stick used to read.. ASS, GAS, OR GRASS, NOBODY RIDES FOR FREE.

why you need disability if you can pay 10 g for an opion just asking

[Buck52]

philgrenier

You made a smart choice Bud....you and your spouse sit back and relax Dr Bash team will take care of things!

..................Buck!

[RUREADY]

anyone ever ask their primary care doctor or private doctor to write you an IMO for you

offer them what you you have paid for an IMO and I bet they will write it and treat you also

I always try to save money never had any. just saying I pick a doctor for an IMO and for 10 grand

you can get what you want and how you want it. just saying but everyone is different. enough

[Gastone]

What Buck said. I've never seen any Vet post regarding any type of dissatisfaction with Dr Bash on Hadit or VA Watchdog. If I were in need of an IMO and the potential SC and Retro justified the expense, I would certainly consider Dr Bash. My only problem is the sudden change in the financial arrangement. Dr Bash has over 11 years of VA IMO experience and I would think a firm up-front IMO cost for the appeal issues should have been expected. Your Attorney Mr Dorle (He is a VA Accredited Appeals Attorney?) actually advised you regarding the IMO from Dr Bash, right. i have to believe that for Dr Bash to show up in person he and your attorney had an in-depth discussion regarding your appeal issues and possible Retro out come.

As for your wife's BVA Hearing, the only issues are the 2011 Denial for Asthma and headaches, right? Is this 2 separate IMOs from Dr Bash? You mentioned that Dr Bash contacted you saying you had a stronger case than he originally thought and thus needed to increase his fee, right. What did Mr Dorle say about this and what made the case stronger?

Semper Fi

Gastone

[Scout Swimmer]

RUREADY

To answer your question, I was recently awarded my 100% P&T. I did not spend 1 penny of my retro payment.

My wife has had chronic asthma and migraines symptoms but did not start to appear (really noticablely) until around 6 months after she was discharged. (Iraq veteran).

I won my claim on my own, but my SMR was heavy while hers was not.

I utilized my retro to hire Bash and John for her claim. My thinking is 8k is a good investment for a sizable retro payment and percentage. (Her claim is around 4 years old)

I don't know if this will work out but it seems like a better investment than the new four wheeler I had my eye on. .

Edited March 27, 2015 by Philgrenier (see edit history)

[Scout Swimmer]

Gastone

To be fair to John, he had mentioned that Bash charges based on strength of case and retro. I asked him why the change in price and his reply was basically Dr. Bash discovered a major CUE in her claim and had discovered proof of asthma symptomology in service that was overlooked by the VA and himself initially. We thought originally that her claim would be based on lay statements and the fact she was officially diagnosed only 3 years after discharge. I'm just trying to make a smart play.

[63SIERRA]

why you need disability if you can pay 10 g for an opion just asking

what a person has built financially already has nothing to do with disability. if a person were a millionaire and disabled because of a service connected incident, THEY STILL EARNED IT AND STILL DESERVE IT JUST AS MUCH AS THE NEXT GUY who may or may not have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.