Anybody Use Dr. Bash Imo / Ime?

[tssnave]

1. Has anybody used Dr. Bash or his associate for an IMO / IME? He advertises at vawatchdog.org and says he prevails 80-90% of the time at BVA. If so, were you happy with his service?

2. How do you circumvent the four letter restriction on the hadit search engine? So much of what we do with the VA uses an acronym that this restriction makes it difficult to look stuff up. For instance, "Dr Bash IMO IME" netted me nothing more than an error message that one or more of my words had four or less letters in them. Even if I spelled out doctor and independent medical opinion I still don't know how to get Bash as an additional search critera. Plus, how many of us write out independent medical opinion in the subject line? ARRRGGGG! There's gotta be a way around this that I just haven't figured out. Please share the secret with me.

Thanks,

ts

[Abe111]

Berta -- How much does he charge?

[Berta]

He can give you an estimate depending on the claim.

In my case he charged $2,000 for the initial IMO which incorporated another recent statement I had obtained from a former VA Neurologist-which was very probative-as this was the sole VA doctor who was going to diagnose my husband properly.It took me time to find this doc- he went into private practice in California after wotrked for VA here in NY.

He didnt need Rod's SMRs - as the disability is AO presumtive-

he did need other key legal VA documents as well as the medical records and autopsy.

With a few days of getting my info (I had prepared it well with tabbed referrals)-

he called me and said he had agreed with my AO death claim and was sending out the IMO.

Then I needed an opinion to knock down a VA expert-Dr. Bash did that for $2,000 also-

I was very satisfied with that IMO also.

The DRO stated my evidence did not warrant consideration of Benefit of Doubt yet they got this VA expert IMO- my POA claims it was the POA's idea.

Still my IMos and other evidence remained ignored.I was told the VA exoert would have my IMos to consider but that is when they disappeared from the claims file. well------ that is long story------I have taken steps to rectify it----

Also I contacted Medopinions and they quoted me $2,100 for a specialist IMO if needed.

But once I told them what I had- they reduced this fee to $1,700 as it only requires limited med records, the wrongful death claim info,

the IMos from Drs Bash and Rabiee and treatises that support what the IMO Med Op doc needs-I have been wanting to send the fee and stuff off to them for months-

but then again I dont have a decision regarding the other IMOs yet which might mean a different type of specialist-

So their IMO was more expensive initially but reduced based on what they needed- very few records.

These opinions -2 in 2004 and one more in 2006 have never been addressed yet by the VA-nor has any of my other additional medical evidence.

I filed this claim in Feb 2003.

Please dont assume the VA will treat any IMO you get like this-

my problems are with my POA as well as the VA and are getting resolved.

My POA never heard of Dr BAsh and in writing,the director of this state vet org- stated to me I could expect the same results with the 2006 IMO.

Meaning the VA will never see this additional IMO either.

I have fully complained to the Governor of NY that NYSDVA division is making decisions that only the VA can make and they have no right to assess my medical evidence. The VA does that.

For some reason my claim was sabotaged ny a vet rep in 2003 and I am finding out why-

the VA cannot make a decision if they do not have the evidence.

A POA is not allowed to reject an IMO-and make sure VA never sees it -the VA can do that but only with a complete medical rationale.

Please dont assume that my IM0s from Dr. BAsh had no value-the VA has never even seen them after numerous submissions.

I have until Sept to file a suit in fed court on this against VA- but it looks like instead I will be sueing the State of New York for interfering with my medical evidence to the point that it is never acknowledged by the Buffalo VARO.

[tssnave]

Thanks, everyone for the feedback.

Ricky, if the opinions of old red-necked soldiers were barred from this board I'd have to quit myself! :-)

Thanks,

ts

[VetDr]

I am a former Navy physician and former VA system Compensation and Pension examiner for QTC who does most of the VA C and P exams for the raters. I have a multitude of experience of writing IMOs and doing exams for the VA. Much like Dr Bash, I am now trying to help vets maximize their rating and claim success. I grew up the son of a disabled Vietnam Vet, and now as a doctor who had both military and VA work experience, I want to help vets get what they fought for earnestly.

I am very reasonable and unlike Dr Bash who charges $2,000 I charge only $395 for the same service.

Check out www.vetdr.net or email me gn2mp8@gmail.com

[Pete53]

Medical Interests

Areas of Interest and Expertise

Chronic Pain Syndromes

Migraines, Headaches, Trigeminal Neuralgia, TMJ,

Back pain, Neck pain, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Plantar Fasciitis, Chondromalacia, PFS, pes planus, Spinal misalignment/subluxations, somatic dysfunctions (OMT)

Myofascial pain, Myalgias, Arthralgias, Rheumatic conditions, Osteoarthritis, DDD, Sciatic pain, IVDS, Bursitis, Tendonitis, Tenosynovitis, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Shingles,

Neurologic Conditions

MS, Movement Disorders (Parkinsons), Dementias, Bell's palsy, Cognitive Impairments, TBIs, Seizure Disorders, Neuritis, RSD,

RLS, Sleep disorders (including sleep apnea and narcolepsy), Strokes Neuropathic pain, CDIP, GBS, ADEM, Ataxia, Autonomic neuropathies, Chemical, Toxin, Infective and Vaccine induced neuropathies, Diabetic Neuropathy, Erectile Dysfunction and Neurotoxicity

Psychiatric Conditions

PTSD, war neurosis, combat stress reactions, psychopharmacology

Mood Disorders (Depression, OCD, Anxiety, Phobias, Bipolar, etc)

Psychosis, ADD&ADHD, Borderline Personality Disorder, Eating Disorders and Compulsive Behaviors.

Addiction as a Disease, Addiction Treatment and Drug Testing, Chemically induced mood and thought disorders, Detoxification Withdrawal Syndromes, Delirium, Aspergers, PDD and Autism

Medical Illness

Hypertension, Lipid disorders, Cardiovascular disorders, COPD, Asthma, Cancer, Thyroid and Endocrine disorders, GERD, gastric ulcers, post surgical pain, erectile dysfunction, prostate health and residuals from treatment, Lupus (SLE) and connective tissue disorders, rhinosinusitis, allergies and skin rashes and lesions.

Miscellaneous

Asbestosis, Ionizing radiation exposure, Silicosis, Vaccine induced disabilities and reactions, Agent orange, Gulf War Syndrome, Heavy metal toxicities, Tropical Medicine and malaria medication reactions.

Physical Medicine, Myofascial Release, Osteopathy, Trigger points, Tender points, Vitamin and essential mineral deficiencies, Nutrition, Hormonal imbalances.

Looks to me like he would be a help on areas that Dr Bash does not cover and some that he does.

If anyone knows anything about Dr Barton please speak up.

[Guest jangrin]

VetDr,

I see your post. Thank you. It seems a good way to introduce yourself to veterans who need IMO help.

Could you post a "sample" report on this web site thread, so we can see the level of depth in record review as well as providing a nexus for service connection in one of your reports? I didn't see one on your website.

Jangrin