Benefits of an Independent Medical Examination for VA Disability
Seeking VA disability benefits? An independent medical examination (IME) is one of the best tools you have at your disposal. Unlike the Compensation and Pension Exam, an IME is performed by a doctor with no connection to the VA.
Continue reading to learn why we may recommend an independent medical examination.
Appeal VA Decisions
Don’t accept a denied claim! Our attorneys can help you appeal the VA’s decision with an IME.
The VA relies on medical records to decide your case. Unfortunately, they may not believe the evidence presented by your family doctor. That’s because your family doctor has a vested interest in keeping you as a patient. You may also have an emotional connection to your doctor if you’ve been seeing them for years.
Since an impartial doctor performs an IME, the VA will put more stock into the evidence he or she presents.
Show Extent of Disability
It’s not enough to prove you have a service-connected disability. You also have to have evidence that it affects your ability to work and live a normal life.
Our VA lawyers will refer you to a doctor that specializes in independent medical exams. That way, you’ll have a report written by someone familiar with VA language and standards.
It’s important that we document everything related to your service-connected disability. The more evidence we have, the better your chances of receiving VA benefits.
Prove Service-Connected Disability
Was the original medical exam from the VA unfavorable? If so, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with one of our VA lawyers. A VA disability attorney will connect you with a doctor that specializes in IMEs.
Our attorneys will also make sure the report has the correct legal wording to support your claim. In other words, the report can help prove a service-connected condition.
Get an Independent Opinion
A doctor paid by the VA performs the Compensation and Pension Exam. While we understand VA doctors do their best to be impartial, there is still a conflict of interest between doing what is best for patients versus what is best for their employer.
Likewise, the VA will view an exam from your primary care physician as biased. This is because your doctor has a personal interest in keeping you as a patient.
An IME doctor doesn’t have this conflict of interest because they don’t work for you or the VA. In fact, an IME doctor is someone who has never treated you before, which means they’ll be able to remain impartial.
Aren’t sure whether an independent medical exam is right for you? Contact one of our accredited VA attorneys! We have your best interests in mind, which means you can count on us to secure the best outcome for your case.
Call the VA Disability Group Today!
Our VA disability lawyers in Kalamazoo, MI, would be more than happy to represent your case. Call the VA Disability Group at (844) VET-LAWS for your free case evaluation. We’d be more than happy to examine the details of your case and help you plan out your next steps.
[This blog has been updated.]
