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

[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

[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