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RE Has any one used the following Doc's for IMO's and nexus letters

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Rattler

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I am looking at Doc's for IMO's and nexus letters. I know Berta likes Dr. Bush and he has a good Rep but he is a little expensive. I need to know if anyone has used the following two.

 

Dr. Thomas J Seiter MD 

Dr. David Anaise

 

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Don’t take this the wrong way but I have never paid for an IMO/IME. I am not sure if I am that lucky, or I am that screwed up. I had a senior VAMC Psychiatrist for my C & P examiner, and I had a senior Rheumatologist write in my treatment notes that my disabilities are military related. The first claims I filed were all denied and then the VA ordered a new mental health exam and the examiner stated that my disabilities could not be determine without both a mental and physical medical exam and that was it. Bingo, my claims were granted. I even used a Community Care Provider to do a DBQ and the VA granted my claim. Lucky or just broken down. I say if you can afford it go for it, but I could not, it is an investment in yourself and that is always a winner.

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Start at your local VA Primary Care Team. Talk to your PCP, see if s/he will help you document the current condition. Ask if they will enter an opinion into your medical record as to the etiology of the condition. Etiology in medical records is an assignment of a cause, an origin, or reason for the medical condition. If they are willing to help, and you can show them how an in service condition is linked to your current condition, then you are over a big hump. 

This is the cheapest route. You can also ask your own non-VA caretaker to do the same if you do not use the VAMC.

Alternatively, if they refuse like mine did...get on the phone. Call non-VA medical offices and ask them if they will do an independent medical opinion and/or exam for you, and what would they charge. I spent 2 days and found a orthopedic spine surgeon who wrote an IMO for me for $250. It was well worth it and landed my first claim. First time out the door it landed me with 60%. Your motivation is the key to it all.

 

 

to correct this, the $250 I paid included an exam, so the IMO was an IME as well.

Edited by pwrslm
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Dr Bash has a good success rec ord, however he is expensive.  He'll interview you, take notes and do the write up.

Impression is he just pulls similar reports from his file (boiler plate) changes the name and some other things to fit your case.

I'd just weigh out the cost of his services and what you'd gain in back pay/future $.

Even with his cost, I was happy with the outcome.

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19 hours ago, pacmanx1 said:

Don’t take this the wrong way but I have never paid for an IMO/IME. I am not sure if I am that lucky, or I am that screwed up. I had a senior VAMC Psychiatrist for my C & P examiner, and I had a senior Rheumatologist write in my treatment notes that my disabilities are military related. The first claims I filed were all denied and then the VA ordered a new mental health exam and the examiner stated that my disabilities could not be determine without both a mental and physical medical exam and that was it. Bingo, my claims were granted. I even used a Community Care Provider to do a DBQ and the VA granted my claim. Lucky or just broken down. I say if you can afford it go for it, but I could not, it is an investment in yourself and that is always a winner.

You may both be lucky and screwed up 🙂   but in all fairness I think we all are to some degree. 

I think needing an IME/IMO depends on who is doing your claim.  My claims have been done out of Houston and I personally believe they have some of the worst/laziest VARO's in the nation.  Now keep in mind this is from personal experience and there may be people that have had instant success.  I have not. 

I have had both an IME (Dr. Ellis) and IMO (through attorney) and I personally believe they were worth every penny.  A judge recently made a decision on my appeal and I was granted service connection on on 7 of 11 disabilities.  The other 4 were remanded.  I am waiting on the letter to see what the remand was for but I am sure it was because of inept VA practices.   The IME/IMO I am sure played a part in those decisions because the VA has repeatedly denied for bullS*%& reasons.   I probably could have succeeded without them but giving history I did not want to take any chances. 

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Dr Bash and Ellis are not so special. Lawyers have Doctors like them on retainer for accidents where they take the Insurance Companies to court to sue for clients injuries. That industry is huge! The specialists like Bash and Ellis literally show up in court and give testimony if it is necessary. The boiler plate reports are basic formats that cover specific terms and cover a legal necessity most of the time. They complete the opinion portions with acceptable medical treatise and specifics about your condition in these opinions. They probably have assistants that they pay to do research as well so they can provide a solid foundation for their opinions.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Bash and Ellis specialize in VA Claims. 

Edited by pwrslm
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