Just Got A Call From The Va

[rdawg]

A little background.

Served honorably in the AF 1985-1989

First filed for compensation MAR2006 Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease and IBS.

I was a dumbass before I found hadit.

Long story short, my biggest mistake was relying on the VA to do the right thing (believing the line they tow).

I got denied on both in 60 days.

Submitted additional evidence in Aug 06 showing current diagnoses and a letter from my dr. stating a nexus (DDD only). My Dr. had not reviewed my service medical records.

Got denied in 60 days.

My SO (AL) filed a NOD without discussing it with me. I wanted to get my SMR's for my Dr. to review and write another letter.

ANyway, he said I could not call back my NOD, I had to continue on.

I got my SMR's.

Bit the bullet and got an IMO from Dr. Bash. Win or lose the IMO was worth every penny.

I submitted the IMO, hand carried it and had the VA date stamp it, on Jan5th2007.

Fearing I would get the "Berta" treatment from the MF I wrote an IRIS inquiry asking if they had recieved my IMO and when I would have my de novo review ( I requested it in the NOD and again after).

The VA actually received my IMO. Wooo WHooo!!!

The person on the phone had a very positive attitude on the potential outcome of my de novo review. He said my review would be in mid March or April.

On a sad note: I called the AL to tell them I submitted this additional evidence ( I tried to call them before but there was no answer and they wouldn't return my messages) and found out that the gentleman who had been helping me was in a fatal accident while riding his motorcyle over the Christmas holiday. The young lady that answered the phone was new and told me things should be back to normal in a month or so.

I will keep you informed. Thanks Hadit.

Everyone listen to Berta. The VA will not do anything until you submit competent medical evidence of a bulletproof claim.

[Berta]

That is just awful about the AL vet rep-to think this is a vet who might have had combat service - doesnt matter if he did or not- and his demise is not due to service but to an accident like this-

But I am surprised he prepared and filed the NOD himself.

I am glad you got them to acknowledge your IMOs Rdawg-

you said more than a mouthful- the only real thing that makes claims succeed and it bears repeating-

"The VA will not do anything until you submit competent medical evidence of a bulletproof claim"

I think it is a travesty that vets often have to pay for costly IMOs- then again I spent 4,000 so far with Dr. Bash- which I sure dont regret either-and am ready to spend another 1750 if needed . (They quoted 2,100 but reduced it when they heard the evidence-Medopinions)

A good doctor can see things we cant especially in the blood chem reports and the medical symbols and abbreviations.

Personally I think some of those lousy SOs and vet reps should be canned and their salaries used instead to help vets get IMOs.Then the overall success rate of some of these vet orgs would increase I am sure.

[rdawg]

I called Medopinions also. They were cheaper than Dr. Bash on one issue but I had four and Dr. Bash ended up being cheaper for all four. I think his opinion would be more like what the VA needs.

What a great man Dr. Bash is. His story is great also. I told him about a person I found at the VA that actually helped me and got me on the right track and he relayed his story to me, I hope I get it right. He was paralyzed while at the AF academy. His claim was in the VA for 7 years when he had finally hadit and went to the local RO to see what was what. He was rolling around in his chair when someone high up in the RO walked by and asked him how it was going. He replied that he was trying to find out info on his claim, that it was 7 years old. The VA person was appauled and said something like "My god you are in a wheelchair. It should not take 7 years to get service connected." And shortly after that Dr. Bash received his positive rating.

Thanks for all your help Berta.

rdawg

[Pete53]

Going to the VARO is a good idea in my opinion.