exam 8 minutes

[uniccco]

Service connected  for MDD, Panic Disorder , Insomnia disorder, Obstructive sleep apnea all triggers for migranes i was of course denied she said migranes were primary hedaches and cant be caused by any of these triggers, she addressed no agravation and denied me what should i do  ?

[Mr cue]

why is everbody act like a veteran can't win with or without one

I also did the pay exam thing when I did my cue claim for 8 years retro.

In 2000 the exam for me didn't help the va address my record and granted it. 8 years retro.

So to me it can go either way 

Like i said this is my opinion.

An ppl are entitled to there opinion.

That the problem with the world today

An a veteran will choose what he feel is his best route.

But to tell me that I shouldn't post my results and shouldn't tell my story about it. An how I feel about imo

Is something i see on the other site so let not let hadit become that.

Not any of us can and cant say what the va will do.

I think we all understand that

 

[ShrekTheTank]

I agree with both of you in that sometimes you do not need and IMO and other times you do need an IMO.

I have won claims without an IMO, but I still at some point had a doctor write to my condition about how it affected me in a normal office visit.  Did I need and IMO for this?  No, I did not and the rater took what was said in my records and applied them as they should have.

Have I needed an IMO to get a claim?  Yes I sure did.  I had a bad C&P exam for PTSD.  The rater gave me 10% when clearly it was much worse than that.  I am still fighting this claim from 2011 but have gotten some progress off of it.  I am now at 50% but they got me by moving my EED to last year.  I had to take it to the CAVC to fight this and they did talk about my IMO and it did help my case as they talked about all of my issues and got me closer!  

So, are they NEEDED, yes and no.?  

Do you have the medical evidence you need to win?  Did you get a bad C&P?  Do you have a doctor who already gave you what you need in your records and have not looked yet?  This is very complex and there are times you will need one and other times you will not.

This is my opinion, and it does suck when the VA does not just do the right thing.  

Edited January 31, 2022 by shrekthetank1

[ArNG11]

I agree with you all.  The jest of it is whether at the regional office, at the BVA, at the CAVC, an even if you get to the Supreme Court, eventually someone can read.  I don't remember the original post about the BVA can read, I think I may be quoting something that Berta had posted or maybe even a post from others that I can't recall at this moment

Exams that are quick are not always bad news, although I have examples in my claims process that have yielded bad results, I have had others that yielded fruits, those exams got me service connections and ratings increases.   Sad that you have to triple, 10x4, check regulations, laws and evidence and make sure they have been applied correctly but these are the rules of engagement in the VA's benefit system.  A claimant has so much to deal with.  Again folks are probably gonna get tired of me referencing this but IMHO, WE, are so fortunate that we have this site.  Some of the best people Ive had the pleasure of dealing with have been through this forum.  Too many shoutouts to type out but you folks know who you are.  Thank you, thank you, sincerely, thanks.  

[ArNG11]

Unicco, like others have stated here, medical evidence relating A to B with medical rationale is what will win.  Tying it to service and relating the symptoms to the disease and or event is what will get you over that hump, whether primary or secondary related to,  I have to say that it is tricky, when it boils down to it you really need a specialist in the field, that is familiar with your records and the diseases that you are trying to connect, to rationalize a, at least as likely conclusion, using your claims file and specific symptoms and events, to win the at least as likely argument.  The VA can work it, twist it, manipulate it, and so forth, but this formula is what is king, this formula is what will win.  I'm sorry to say we all have had to jump through the hoops and follow this process but in time, I believe it to be the proven method.  This is just my opinion and two cents.  I hope that this helps you to reach some solutions to your claims. Good luck.

[El Train]

On 1/30/2022 at 6:25 AM, Mr cue said:

Why would he need a paid medical opinion. To say his condition is worse or cause something else.

He should have records from the doctor who treat him for his service connected condition.

I am not a paid medical opinion type of guy because you can pay an the va doesn't have to accept it.

Money down the drain.

This my opinion.

 

My experience is a lil different.  Initially approved for 50% PTSD, 10% tinnitus, 0% hearing loss, & 10% skin scarring.  60% overall.  All of this was done initially with my VA records alone.

Got outside IMO's from an MD (nine total for $800) and a separate one from a Psyc. Dr. for $2K).  So $2800 and maybe $1200 for a mini vacation for two to see the Dr's in person. I'm lucky enough to have the means to afford this, so this may be a factor.

When the dust settled (drum roll), 100% PTSD/TBI, 80% skin scarring, 0% IBS/gerd, 10% migraines, & 40% fibromyalgia.  All P&T with SMC-S.  I had some conditions denied (which I surely could win in appeals with the evidence), but I was maxed out.  Roughly $4K cost vs $3700 in monthly benefits.  

Do thing's your way.  Get caught up in years of appeals and fighting.  I took a short cut, with evidence and help from experts connecting the dots.  No appeals.  Granted if you don't have the evidence to back up your claims, then yes, perhaps money down the drain.  So I hear you on that.

Not my opinion, just my experience.  

[Mr cue]

4 minutes ago, El Train said:

Granted if you don't have the evidence to back up your claims, then yes, perhaps money down the drain.  So I hear you on that.

Not my opinion, just my experience

That was all I was saying.