Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) for Veterans
ABOUT IEMs
What’s an Independent Medical Exam?
An Independent Medical Exam is an unbiased, comprehensive medical assessment completed by a licensed clinician who is not affiliated with the VA. The purpose of an IME is to provide detailed medical evidence, including diagnostic impressions, record review, and professional medical opinions that help clarify the connection between a veteran’s condition and their military service. Many veterans find that adding an IME to their claim offers a fuller picture of their health, particularly when previous exams were brief or did not fully capture the severity or functional impact of their symptoms.
An IME is ideal for veterans who have received a denial, believe their disability rating does not accurately reflect their level of impairment, or would like a second medical opinion to strengthen a claim or appeal.
SUPPORTING YOUR DISABILITY CLAIM
Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) for Veterans
Living with health concerns while trying to navigate the VA disability process can be confusing and discouraging, especially when symptoms haven’t always been fully recognized or taken seriously. Many veterans come to us after years of managing challenges on their own or feeling unsure about what their next step should be. At Help and Healing Center, we offer a thoughtful and supportive approach to Independent Medical Exams, taking the time to listen, understand your experience, and provide clear, thorough evaluations you can use to move forward with confidence.
We offer Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) for veterans seeking thorough, evidence-based
medical evaluations to support disability claims and appeals. IME reports are typically requested by lawyers or advocacy organizations when there is an appeal for benefits. They provide an additional, unbiased report of information which can be helpful for claimants to ensure that their symptoms and level of impairment are being documented in their medical record and reviewed by decision makers.
Please note: We can only offer Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) for Veterans that we have not previously evaluated.
What do our IMEs include?
Each evaluation is comprehensive and tailored to the individual, typically including medical history review, service record analysis, clinical assessment, diagnostic impressions, functional impact documentation, and a formal written report.
Conditions commonly evaluated
We provide IMEs for a wide range of mental health concerns, including PTSD and trauma-related conditions, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Depending on the situation, some Veterans have had mental health challenges as a direct result of their military service. Others have mental health difficulties which stem from other service-connected conditions. It is very common for Veterans with chronic pain, tinnitus, or other injuries to develop mental health conditions, such as insomnia, anxiety, or depression.
What do our IMEs include?
Each evaluation is comprehensive and tailored to the individual, typically including medical history review, service record analysis, clinical assessment, diagnostic impressions, functional impact documentation, and a formal written report.
Conditions commonly evaluated
We provide IMEs for a wide range of mental health concerns, including PTSD and trauma-related conditions, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other conditions. Depending on the situation, some Veterans have had mental health challenges as a direct result of their military service. Others have mental health difficulties which stem from other service-connected conditions. It is very common for Veterans with chronic pain, tinnitus, or other injuries to develop mental health conditions, such as insomnia, anxiety, or depression.
Why do veterans choose Help and Healing Center?
Our clinicians bring extensive experience in comprehensive evaluations and clinical documentation, and we prioritize thoughtful assessment, clear communication, and ethical independence in every IME we complete. As a practice, we are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for all individuals seeking support, including LGBTQIA+ veterans and those with a wide range of lived experiences. Our goal is to provide clear, thorough, and compassionate medical evaluations that accurately represent your health concerns while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and professionalism. We aim to help veterans not only through detailed medical documentation, but also by helping them feel heard, respected, and supported as they move forward.
An Independent Medical Exam consists of:
Completion of intake forms and submission of medical and service records
Evaluation appointment with one of our clinicians via telehealth (typically 1 hour)
Comprehensive record review and clinical analysis.
Preparation of a written medical report.
Consultation with your advocate (if requested)
Delivery of the final report within 2 weeks.
SCHEDULE YOUR IME
Interested in scheduling with us?
Click the link below to complete our IME intake form and a member of our team will get in touch with you to schedule your appointment.
https://forms.gle/VyhsC8EMM8Yv7wur9
Independent Medical Exams are billed at a rate of $325 per hour. Most evaluations range between 2 to 5 hours total, depending on the depth of medial record review and the extend of the written report required. Estimated costs are discussed clearly before services begin.
See What Our Client Say About Us!
Everything about the process was great, regardless of the diagnosis. All of the communication, your approach, and your demeanor. I really commend you.
Thank you! This has been such a great experience. Thank you for all you do for families.
The intentionality and care in your practice is so appreciated.
This was a 10 out of 10. Thank you so much.
This is so much more detailed than I thought, and it’s fun to see all of it.
I was really intimidated to start this process but you made it easy and comfortable, so thank you.
Everything about the process was great, regardless of the diagnosis. All of the communication, your approach, and your demeanor. I really commend you.
Thank you! This has been such a great experience. Thank you for all you do for families.
The intentionality and care in your practice is so appreciated.
This was a 10 out of 10. Thank you so much.
This is so much more detailed than I thought, and it’s fun to see all of it.
I was really intimidated to start this process but you made it easy and comfortable, so thank you.
We brought our son to Dr. Myszak recently; she was patient, flexible and kind and helped him feel comfortable. At first he was very anxious but she was willing to do whatever he needed to feel relaxed for his appointment so that he could do the different things he needed to for the assessment. By the time we left he really didn’t want to leave and was asking “if we could come back sometime.” The evaluation process was very thorough and she took her time not only gathering information but also answering questions and explaining things in a positive and encouraging way. We highly recommend her!
Dr. Jessica made me feel at ease throughout the consultation and assessments. It has changed almost every aspect of my life – relationships, self esteem, how I go about my day to day, work and self care. It significantly lowered my anxiety, just to understand my neurodivergence and know that it’s not my fault.
Dr. Myszak was a great listener and was able to capture my experiences so well. I felt like all of the information gathering was very formal and professional while still being personal. I am able to help people I know with receiving testing. Additionally I have learned so much more about myself.
Dr. Myszak made me feel completely at ease during the assessment. I was so anxious about seeking an assessment, answering the questions, and getting a confirmation of what I suspected or a different diagnosis that I put it off for literal years and when I took the plunge Dr. Myszak was there to guide me through the process and help me come to terms with what my diagnosis meant for me and my future. Some positive impacts since receiving my diagnosis have been receiving accommodations at work; finding a new therapist and psychiatrist that specialize in my condition, and feeling better and more hopeful about the future.
I felt heard, understood, and not judged. It totally changed my life. It validated my experiences and took away the guilt and shame that my challenges were just because I am bad at everything or don’t work hard enough. There isn’t anything officially available to me that wasn’t before (at least not that I use or access at this time) but personally my own acceptance of myself and recognizing my own needs as valid has made a huge difference in my life.
She was very open and understanding. She worked with me and listened to everything I had to say. I was able to receive accommodations at work and genuinely helped me understand myself better. The resources of additional therapists in the area that had worked with neurodivergent individuals helped link me to my current therapist.
I felt safe to share my experiences. I liked how Dr. Long validated what I was sharing and she really listened to me. It has helped me understand myself a lot better. I have insight into how my brain works and I can plan my life in a truly authentic way for the first time ever.
Dr. Long was kind, open, easy to talk to, and smart. I’m so glad I got this assessment and diagnosis. I can believe myself now! Yes all those things actually *are* harder for me. Just knowing is amazing, but when I realize I need an accommodation and ask for it, it’s life changing. It’s been difficult too, it’s brought up a lot of hard stuff with my family of origin.
Dr. Myszak was patient and professional. I didn’t feel rushed. I wasn’t expecting the diagnosis I received but she was kind and thorough in explaining the conclusions and rationale. The report was also very thorough. Learning that I was neuro diverse (ASD/ADHD) at 58 was more jarring than I expected and I’ve gone through a range of reactions (disbelief, denial, anger, acceptance). It made me reconsider a bunch of my past experiences and look closer at challenges in my relationships. I understand things now in a way that I didn’t before. I am getting counseling that is neuro diverse specific and taking some medication to help me. Both of these have had positive impacts.
Dr. Long was very respectful of my experiences and thoughts. She took into consideration my thoughts on my potential (at the time) diagnosis. She also diagnosed me with PDA, which is something I had not even heard of but now know about myself. It has helped me tremendously with understanding myself and helped explain this part of myself to my loved ones. Dr. Long was very compassionate and helpful throughout the whole process. I am able to receive accommodations at school now and I am proud to say that I am enrolled in college again. It has given me the courage and motivation to pursue higher education again now knowing I am able to be accommodated. I feel more confident in who I am and confident explaining who I am. I no longer feel ashamed for my past/history but wear it as a badge of courage. I had a rough life but it was worth it at the end once receiving my diagnosis.
The experience felt validating, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I was able to reveal information that I wasn’t comfortable revealing to previous psychologists. I’m continuing to process my diagnosis and how I will navigate my life going forward. I’ve suspected for years that I might be somewhere on the spectrum. However, it didn’t seem all that important to get assessed because I seemed to be living a relatively “normal” life. Then, in my early 40s, I was just plain struggling. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t quite where I wanted to be in life. I didn’t understand why I had so much difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. I didn’t understand why I felt like I was such a defective person. I didn’t understand why I felt like I was a bad person, despite not having done anything terrible to anyone and always working so hard to help others. Then, with the diagnosis, BOOM. Everything made sense. Not only did it make sense, but I realized that, technically speaking, I have a disability. (We could get into a whole discussion on what constitutes a disability and the medical vs. social models, but I actually find it helpful to know that I have a disability.) As someone with a disability, I don’t need to feel afraid or ashamed to speak up for myself and my needs. I don’t need to be afraid to ask for accommodations if I’m in an uncomfortable setting. I can feel assured that it’s not my fault that certain things are simply far more difficult for me than for most “normal” people, and I don’t need to beat myself up for being different. Again, I’m still in the process of getting to a point where I can fully and unashamedly accept myself for who I am. It’s much easier said than done. But I do feel that getting an autism diagnosis was a critical part of setting me in that direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an Independent Medical Exam to file a VA disability claim?
An IME is not required to file a claim; however, many veterans choose to obtain one to provide
additional medical evidence that clearly explains their diagnosis and functional limitations.
Will the VA accept an Independent Medical Exam from a private provider?
The VA is required to consider all competent medical evidence submitted, including independent medical evaluations from licensed clinicians.
What types of records will I need to provide?
Veterans are typically asked to share relevant medical records, prior VA exams if available, and
service-related documentation.
How long does the IME process take?
Each IME includes a one-hour appointment followed by record review and preparation of a
comprehensive written report, typically delivered within a few weeks.
Is the evaluation done in person or virtually?
Many IMEs are completed virtually, though some cases may benefit from in-person assessments.
What does an IME cost?
IMEs are billed at $325 per hour, with most evaluations ranging from 2 to 5 hours depending on report complexity. Help and Healing Center is not on any insurance panels and provides services as out-of-network providers.
Can you help me file my VA claim or appeal?
Help and Healing Center provides medical evaluations only and does not offer claim-filing services.
Does an IME guarantee my claim will be approved?
No medical evaluation can guarantee a specific outcome, but IMEs provide thorough medical evidence to support claims.
Healing
SSP
ADHD
Intellectual Disabilities
Psychological Conditions
Still have questions?
Reach out to the email below and one of our team members will be happy to answer any questions!