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Need an IMO

Tomahawk

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Tomahawk
Tomahawk

I found a local company that specializes in IME/IMOs typically for lawyers/workers comp cases.   I asked about the price for a VA exam and she stated they do them at an extreme discount for vets.  She

Tomahawk
Tomahawk

Just to update.  Ohio Specialty Network is a sham.  All the guy did was write a report stating that I did indeed have the issues I was requesting him to examine me for and opine on.  He would not writ

Buck52
Buck52

I believe MarkinTexas knows a good Dr that is in Oklahoma  Dr Ellis I think his name is? not sure how to get in touch with him? advise to get in touch with Mark.  here on hadit.   jmo ................

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Buck52 Grand Master

Buck52

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I believe MarkinTexas knows a good Dr that is in Oklahoma  Dr Ellis I think his name is?

not sure how to get in touch with him? advise to get in touch with Mark.

 here on hadit.

 

jmo

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

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MarkInTexas Proficient

MarkInTexas

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Yep, I used the Ellis Clinic in Okahoma City, Oklahoma.  Dr. Ellis' staff are great, courteous and very professional.  I received my IME/IMO report for several conditions and I have to say that it looked great!

However, I am still in the Land of NOD while my claim is on appeal at the VARO, so I don't know how much it will help until I receive someting back from the VA.  I can say that they had denied most of my claims without ever scheduling a C&P, but after I submitted Dr. Ellis' IME/IMO report, they scheduled me for a C&P for most of the conditions within a month or so of receiving the report.  It must have shook something loose.

Hope it helps!  Good luck!

Mark

 

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Tomahawk Collaborator

Tomahawk

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Migraines, Degeneration of lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc, Spondylosis, Spinal stenosis of lumbar region, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Esophagitis, Hiatal hernia, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder, and CRPS/RSD of the Lower Limb.

 

I've tried Dr. Bash twice and never received a response, so I assumed he is pretty booked up.

Edited by Tomahawk (see edit history)
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bluevet Collaborator

bluevet

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Call Alice Burns - 925-524-0622. She is Dr. Bash's assistant. If she doesn't answer, leave a message. I believe she works a flexible schedule, because whenever I've called her, I've always had to leave a message, but she has always called me back within a day or 2.

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K_C Enthusiast

K_C

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@bluevet,

I tried the number for Alice Burns a bit ago and it says disconnected. I too am trying to retain Dr. Bash's services but haven't received response yet. If you get a chance, please double check the number you gave. It would be sincerely appreciated, sir.

Also, I am interested in Tomahawk's question. Will Dr. Bash or Dr. Ellis require an in person exam? If that's the case, I need to find someone local.

Edited by K_C (see edit history)
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bluevet

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@bluevet,

I tried the number for Alice Burns a bit ago and it says disconnected. I too am trying to retain Dr. Bash's services but haven't received response yet. If you get a chance, please double check the number you gave. It would be sincerely appreciated, sir.

Also, I am interested in Tomahawk's question. Will Dr. Bash or Dr. Ellis require an in person exam? If that's the case, I need to find someone local.

Hmmm, sorry about that. It's been about a year since I spoke with her. She must have changed her number. I got that number from Dr. Bash. I would keep emailing him more and more often until you get a reply.

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Tomahawk Collaborator

Tomahawk

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I found a local company that specializes in IME/IMOs typically for lawyers/workers comp cases.   I asked about the price for a VA exam and she stated they do them at an extreme discount for vets.  She stated $400 for all 5 of the issues I am seeking an IME on.   That almost sounds too good to be true. 

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bluevet Collaborator

bluevet

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I found a local company that specializes in IME/IMOs typically for lawyers/workers comp cases.   I asked about the price for a VA exam and she stated they do them at an extreme discount for vets.  She stated $400 for all 5 of the issues I am seeking an IME on.   That almost sounds too good to be true. 

Sounds great, what's the name of the company and what city are they in? Also, before you pay for any IMO/IME, make sure you have all medical records that the Va has and make sure that the examiner lists them all. This is a huge factor in the weight that the VA rater will give to the opinions. Secondly, make sure the doctor understands that every claim he makes needs a clear rationale. When you get them back, review them and if you don't think the rationales are adequate, don't be afraid to request an edit. 

Edited by bluevet (see edit history)
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Tomahawk Collaborator

Tomahawk

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Ohio Specialty Network is the company's name.  http://ohiospec.com/

I told the lady I spoke to I would call back once I had my medical records.  I submitted the ROI at my local hospital in person and mailed request to the 2 other hospitals in different states I was treated at.  She said once I get them to come in and drop the medical records off and schedule an exam. 

It's my intention to print out the DBQs for everything I claimed as well as explain that I need a letter to accompany each that states "more likely than not" "at least as likely" or "was/is caused/aggravated by" if he deems them to be related to service. 

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bluevet Collaborator

bluevet

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Ohio Specialty Network is the company's name.  http://ohiospec.com/

I told the lady I spoke to I would call back once I had my medical records.  I submitted the ROI at my local hospital in person and mailed request to the 2 other hospitals in different states I was treated at.  She said once I get them to come in and drop the medical records off and schedule an exam. 

It's my intention to print out the DBQs for everything I claimed as well as explain that I need a letter to accompany each that states "more likely than not" "at least as likely" or "was/is caused/aggravated by" if he deems them to be related to service. 

Do you have SMR's (Service Medical Records) showing any symptoms/problems related to you current condition? They need to be included as well. 

I have read many posts regarding the "magic words" of "At least as likely as not". I've also read a whole lot of BVA case citations. A nexus letter should contain that statement, but just as importantly, it needs to have a rationale for the determination that your current condition is "at least as likely as not" related to your service. In case after case that I have read, veterans spend good money on IMEs/IMOs, only to have the board give little or no weight to them. The most common reasons for this are: 1. The Independent Doctor did not include an adequate rationale for his/her findings. 2. The opinions were not based on a review of the all of the available medical evidence.

If I were you, I would request my c-file, or at least request all medical records in the possession of the VA, before I paid for any IME. If time is a factor, contact your VSO rep at your VA regional office and see if they can get you these records faster.

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Tomahawk Collaborator

Tomahawk

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Well.  I have my VA medical records which show I have CRPS.  Which is already in my 30% service connection.  However they rated me as 30% for "post-operative foot injury with complex regional pain syndrome".  I just need the doctor to write something to get them to separate it.. The foot in and of itself is practically worthless due to the VA surgeon fusing all of my toes.  I have zero movement on my own and they can only be moved by hand a few degrees.  My ankle constantly rolls because of this which I thought would have been rated as well but apparently not. But for those 2 issues I shouldn't need anything in my SMR.  The foot and the VA surgery that caused the CRPS are already service connected. 

As for the rest of my claims that were denied.  There are entries in my SMR.  But apparently not enough for the C+P doctors to opine in my favor.  However everything I claimed is also exacerbated by my already SC condition.  So they should be granted on that basis alone.

I do have a copy of my C-File, or at least as complete of a copy as I can.  As well as 1 copy left of my SMR.

I do not have a VSO.  I fired the one after this last claim because he put all sorts of shit in my claim that I wasn't claiming.  He put a claim in for my opposite foot which there is nothing wrong with.  He put a claim in for 100% IU.  And he didn't include a 2 things I specifically mentioned.  I learned the hard way that you shouldn't trust a VSO when they say "Sign this, Ill fill it out when I have time and submit it".   been going it alone since. 

But I would most assuredly explain to the doctor that he needs to review the records and provide a complete rationale for his findings. 

 

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Tomahawk

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Just to update.  Ohio Specialty Network is a sham.  All the guy did was write a report stating that I did indeed have the issues I was requesting him to examine me for and opine on.  He would not write an opinion on cause nor correlation.  Do not use them for an IMO

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Guest L

Guest L

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I utilized Dr Vallette in Colorado who for a MH IMO - It was excellent. ( He was recommended by Dr Bash)

 

 Hi Mr. Matthew Hill - you spoke with me on the phone back in November 2016 . 

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ShuMan Collaborator

ShuMan

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I used valor4vet for my appeal and a first time claim, for an IMO.  The first time claim was successful because of the IMO. If you can make it to Arizona they fill out DBQs for about $150. 

I would highly recommend them and I've had positive results using them.

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