Opinons On Dr. Bash

[rdawg]

I'm thinking of plopping down a couple of grand for an IMO from Dr. Bash. I've researched his name thru the BVA decisions and see he has been successful on some occasions but has also lost some. What I can't do is research the cases where Dr. Bash is used and S/C is granted or denied and does not go to the BVA. Maybe all of you could help. Can you give me some examples of your experiences with him. List the conditions, whether or not he had access to your SMR's/c-file or both and if S/C was granted.

Thanks...I look forward to some interesting reads

Rdawg

[Guest jangrin]

That is an interesting question. Veterans may have to choose whether ot not they want an attorney to represent them or if they want a medical opinion to connect the dots for their medical records and treatment and SC. It could very well be a financial decision. Yes, there are other doctors out there that will give you a medical opinion, but not an opinion that the VA will give weight to, because of the VA requirements. Most doctors are not aware of what is necessary for the veteran.

Dr. Bash has the experience in dealing with the VA, and knows what you need to succeed in your claim. It is difficult to find doctors to perform IMO's that will met the requirements of the VA. Keeping that in mind, yes Dr. Bash is expensive. If you get 70% TDIU it's about 1/2 of one months comp. payment.

I'm not sure in the big scheme of things that $2000. is so much for what is accomplished.

The big thing is Dr. Bash asks, what do you want his work to aid you in accomplishing. If he thinks it will succeed in doing what you want it to do he will tell you, if not he will tell you, or explain that the records do not support what you are trying to get in compensation.

I have met personally with Dr. Bash, and I can tell you that he is a very hard working man with his own challenges in life. But he is an honest man. He does not do IMO reveiw of records and report writing on credit. The problem is he would be swamped with cases. I believe he is limited on the number of cases he can do at any one time.

As you are selective in deciding whether to hire Dr. Bash for your case, he too is selective in taking your request for IMO.

Sometimes people are unrealistic in their expectations. With medical records there is more to the big picture. Lots of doctors, lots of medicines, lots of reactions. An opinion carries weight because of a persons expertise and education and reputation. Dr. Bash certainly has extensive qualifications in this area. Normally when 2 opinions are given in an area that he specializes in Dr. Bash's opinion will persuade the process towards his "conclusion. However, not always because everyone has multiple issues involve besides one mans opinion.

The veteran has to decide how he will work his claim and what he will do to support it. Yes it is a difficult decision to spend that kind of money, no one here is telling you to do that. We will tell you to find a doctor to provide an IMO if we feel you compensation case needs it. Does it have to be Dr. Bash, absolutely not. Does it have to support your claim? Absolutely yes. Ultimately, it's your decision who you use or even if you use an IMO.

Good luck on your claim for compensation. There are always plenty of people to give an opinion and share their experiences. You be the judge of what you need for your battle plan

Hope this helps,

Jangrin :)

Edited December 16, 2006 by jangrin

[Josephine]

A couple of things about Dr Bash that I know from other Vets. He will review your claim and offer his opinion if he can help or not. He no longer posts on thsi Board but I talk to him several times a week paid Dr Bash for an opinion and went from No Service Connection to 90%. I have read a couple of Dr Bash's opinions and he is very thorough. I think that anyone who has a stonewalled claim by the VA going nowhere should consider an outside Medical Opinion. Dr Bash is expensive but he is successful.

I would rather have an opinion from Dr Bash than hire a Lawyer.

The only problem that I have with Dr. Bash, and I have emailed him and he did return my email. I don't think that he does IMO's for disability of anxiety and depression.

I contacted his partner, but he is so busy with his private practice in Washington, although, he did answer my email, but stated he was swamped.

Pete,

Isn't your claim for anxiety and depression also?

Did Dr. Bash do an IMO for you?

If he did, perhaps, he could assist me also.

I would be more than willing to spend that kind of money, as I spend it for antique dolls, and I would benefit more from his expertise, than appease myself with another doll.

If I receive a negative from the AMC, I believe that I still have 3 months to turn in new evidence.

Please do let me know.

Thanks,

Josephine

Edited December 16, 2006 by Josephine

[Berta]

Well stated Jangrin-

Dr. Bash does not handle psychiatric claims IMos-but

There are plenty of docs who do-

http://www.medopinions.com will respond to questions sent via their site-

after contacting them at the site with brief info- they called me within a few hours and discussed the type of IMO I want-from an oral pathologist-

if I need another IMO-

Then -I feel their rates are comparable to Dr. Bash's-

when they heard the basis for the opinion and what evidence I already had (they only need a few records from the med recs and a few other things-)

they reduced the fee and said they could render this opinion within 5 days or a week upon receipt of the med evidence and the check.

Medopinions has a long list of specialists and also is aware of what the VA needs as they too have prepared IMos on VA claims.

There are other sites on the web for IMOs-

even other doctors used for IMOs in successful BVA claims can often be found on the net-by googling their name.

One of my local vet's docs got furious when we asked him for another IMO-

he did not understand-

if the IMO does not conform to what the VA wants -they will reject it.

He prepared another IMO and the vet won the claim.

In my third IMO Dr. BAsh rebutted the fact that not only was the VA's med opinion "medically inaccurate" and expanded on this-

he also brought up the fact that the opinion did not conform to what the VA wants -

no rationale, no curriculum vitae regarding expertise and VA's use of an outdated medical reference, also he used all medical evidence available on the vet and the opining VA doc used only a few records.

and reminded the VA that he is fully versed in VA regs and case law criteria on disability claims.

Pete said:

"I would rather have an opinion from Dr Bash than hire a Lawyer"

me too but I might have to get a lawyer to get the VA to read his stuff.

Edited December 16, 2006 by Berta

[Josephine]

Well stated Jangrin-

Dr. Bash does not handle psychiatric claims IMos-but

There are plenty of docs who do-

http://www.medopinions.com will respond to questions sent via their site-

after contacting them at the site with brief info- they called me within a few hours and discussed the type of IMO I want-from an oral pathologist-

if I need another IMO-

Then -I feel their rates are comparable to Dr. Bash's-

when they heard the basis for the opinion and what evidence I already had (they only need a few records from the med recs and a few other things-)

they reduced the fee and said they could render this opinion within 5 days or a week upon receipt of the med evidence and the check.

Medopinions has a long list of specialists and also is aware of what the VA needs as they too have prepared IMos on VA claims.

There are other sites on the web for IMOs-

even other doctors used for IMOs in successful BVA claims can often be found on the net-by googling their name.

One of my local vet's docs got furious when we asked him for another IMO-

he did not understand-

if the IMO does not conform to what the VA wants -they will reject it.

He prepared another IMO and the vet won the claim.

In my third IMO Dr. BAsh rebutted the fact that not only was the VA's med opinion "medically inaccurate" and expanded on this-

he also brought up the fact that the opinion did not conform to what the VA wants -

no rationale, no curriculum vitae regarding expertise and VA's use of an outdated medical reference, also he used all medical evidence available on the vet and the opining VA doc used only a few records.

and reminded the VA that he is fully versed in VA regs and case law criteria on disability claims.

Pete said:

"I would rather have an opinion from Dr Bash than hire a Lawyer"

me too but I might have to get a lawyer to get the VA to read his stuff.

Berta,

I checked this link and I do not see a psychiatrist listed, but I emailed them.

Dr. Bash does not handle psychiatric claims IMos-but

"There are plenty of docs who do-"

I haven't had any luck finding one. Do you know of one?

Josephine

Edited December 16, 2006 by Josephine

[Berta]

Hm -the guy I talked to there told me they handle PTSD claims and other types of psychiatric IMos too-

maybe I misunderstood him-

Here are quite a few :

Not in any specific order-mixed in with other specialties-

http://www.jurispro.com/search/profile/subcategory/3599

Although these are IMO docs for civil/criminal proceedings- so is MedOpin's list-- but still many of them provide IMOs for Individuals.

PSybar might help too----

http://www.psybar.com/critique_services.htm

It would not hurt to even call any psychiatrist in your phone book-to see if they could prepare an IMO.

[Josephine]

Hm -the guy I talked to there told me they handle PTSD claims and other types of psychiatric IMos too-

maybe I misunderstood him-

Here are quite a few :

Not in any specific order-mixed in with other specialties-

http://www.jurispro.com/search/profile/subcategory/3599

Although these are IMO docs for civil/criminal proceedings- so is MedOpin's list-- but still many of them provide IMOs for Individuals.

PSybar might help too----

http://www.psybar.com/critique_services.htm

It would not hurt to even call any psychiatrist in your phone book-to see if they could prepare an IMO.

Berta,

I will check out these sites. I have tried the phone book deal and there is no psychaitrist that will take a claim of 42 years and try to connect it to service.

I believe that when Lawyers come into play, then they will be able to get IMO's for older claims, but I have had no luck.

thanks.

Josephine