(cell phone 301-651-6392)

To: Veterans
Date: 6 Oct 2014
Topic: Social Security vs VA
Independent Veteran Medical Opinion
(IMO)Veteran Medical Nexus Opinion
(VMNO) based on Veterans medical records

From:
Craig N. Bash, M.D.
Neuro-Radiologist
www.veteransmedadvisor.com

drbash@doctor.com

Pages: cover only

NPI or UPIN-1225123318- lic #--D43471

4938 Hampden lane, Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 767-9525 Fax: (301) 365-2589
E-Mail: drbash@doctor.com

UPDATE:
Often veteran patient get confused about the benefits of Social Security (SS) and VA disability systems.
These two programs are independent of each other and thus veterans are eligible for both.
They both require extensive medical records and supporting medical opinion.
The VA benefits are dependent on service connected primary or secondary disabilities whereby the SS
system is based simply on the medical conditions and service connection is not a requirement.
I write opinions for both systems and I have been a expert witness for both types of Judges and
adjudicators (raters).
Each system of benefits influences the others decisions but neither the VA nor the SS systems by the
others awards.
Recommendation: Each patient should obtain a well-documented medical opinion after an exam to
submit to either SS or VA before the SS or VA exams - especially if the patient is at the appeal level.
(Without a good medical opinion- Independent Veteran Medical Opinion (IMO/ Veteran Medical Nexus
Opinion (VMNO) the patient is often left using the opinion from VA employed or SS employed
physicians and often these opinions are somewhat biased in favor of the requesting organization as the
requested medical questions are often narrowly prescribed thus the full extent of the disabilities is not
well developed or documented in the medical opinion.)
Craig Bash M.D.
Associate Professor Independent Veteran Medical Opinion (IMO)- Veteran Medical Nexus Opinion
(VMNO) based on Veterans medical records drbash@doctor.com