IME and Physician conflict of interest

[OldJoe]

Instead of continuing a thread that dealt with CUE and beating a dead horse I thought it wise to start a new thread.

In the pursuit trying to fixed my messed up claim I finally have found a physician that does IMEs

Here is how he responded to my email explaining my situation:

<...>

"I read your email. It does sound like you could use some assistance. 

A bit about myself. I do perform IMEs for civilian cases but I am also employed by a company that is contracted by the VA to perform similar disability assessments. I will have to check with my employer to see if your case presents a conflict of interest."

<...>

Of, all the flipping luck!!!

I responded and explained further my situation.

Hopefully he responds soon.

That said, I need any advice possible on what I should do next.  I know this could be a blessing or this could be a curse, I don't know which...

[OldJoe]

Well, a bit of good news, the doctor's office that said they couldn't help me did indeed do some research to find another doctor that hopefully will be able to assist me better.

After I didn't here from them the rest of the day, I was thinking this was going to be the typical brush off and not hear from them again.

This new doctor is a Doctor Mike Clark out of Springfield.

So I do have to plug Columbia Orthopedic Group in Columbia Mo as a place to start if you have orthopedic issues you need to get an IMO (Nexus) done.  If they cannot help you then hopefully they will direct you to someone that can like they are trying for me.

Now I just have to play the hurry up and wait game again.

[OldJoe]

In other news my request for my C-file was received.  Let's see how blazingly fast they can get it done.

[OldJoe]

Well, as everyone has noticed on eBennies Letters are down (update to website forthcoming).

But I also got an error when I tried to check up on my NOD.

I received a "copy" of my change of representative request and that my NOD had been filed from DAV.

 

When I first checked eBennies and got the error I thought it was just one of the numerous issues they have and kept checking back every day or so.  Still got the same issue.

Called the tech support number and found out a few things.

1. the forth coming update
2. my claim has been transferred to the national center(?)
3. you can get errors if your claim is electronically transferred because for some reason the process will drop the last digit of your social security number (yep, that could definitely cause a few problems)

But now I have a question about my #2.

The support tech seemed a bit confused as to whether it was being transferred to or from the "national center".  Did she mean the Washington office or some different "center".

I requested a DRO review.

Why would they transfer it? Too or from?

My only guess would be for Title 38 §3.105(b).  Unfortunately, that would be to good to believe.  Granted if you look at my original decision and look through my medical records it is more than obvious, but this is the VA we are talking about.

No, I do not want to hold my breath and hope, the VA might just decide to actually be helpful and assist me holding my breath.

Edited June 23, 2016 by OldJoe
mispelled word

[OldJoe]

The support tech may actually have stated the "National Office", I could be wrong.

[OldJoe]

Just great, bad luck strikes again....

Thank God this isn't baseball, they game would be over....

I cannot seem to find a Dr. that will do a Nexus letter/I.M.O.

The latest one (one of the physician's nurses) told me that she wasn't sure that an I.M.O. would benefit me and wanted me to send them a letter or something telling them that I was allowed to get an I.M.O. from the V.A.  That they usually only see people that have been referred to them by third parties and that the people themselves weren't the ones that paid for it.  Also, that they needed the criteria to rate me on.  (Yes, I am confused to exactly what she thinks they need to be able to help me.)

I tried to get an email so I could send her the information but she wouldn't give me one.  Just that I could call back and explain it. 

Man, Title 38 and all of the other stuff related to this isn't something that you can just simply explain over the phone.

Now I am totally frustrated and not sure how to proceed.  I know that I need to get this stupid Nexus letter even though everything I need is in my SMRs and in the way that they worded my initial rating.  It would be a virtual slam dunk if it wasn't for the way the VA plays their damnable word games (thus the need for the damned Nexus letter).

Any ideas????

[Gastone]

Joe, excuse me jumping back in without reading all your posts. Seems your still having difficulty with your IMO or even Clinician Notes from a Non VA Dr.

At the risk of repeating a previous post, give this some consideration. You and you alone, have to find a Board Certified MD/DO that specializes in whatever Medical DX that your trying to get SC'd.

You could cut to the chase, and Hire (1) of the DR's that advertise IMO's either here on Hadit or VAWATCHDOG.org. I think the going rate is about $1500.00 from one of these IMO Drs.

I would still prefer a Local Specialist that you find on your own. The Board Certifications are extremely important, if it comes down to Dueling VA & Vet Specialists opinions. You should be able to see a local Specialist and get Clinician Notes confirming your DX and an opinion as to possible etiology regarding your Mil Service, for under $400.00, without any Insurance backing you up.

Semper Fi