I'm leaving this review so other veterans know what to expect. My recent C&P exam for gout was one of the most disappointing and inaccurate medical evaluations I've ever experienced. The examiner completely downplayed the severity of my condition, ignored years of medical records, and wrote a report that did not reflect the reality of what I live with or what my doctors have documented. Here's exactly what happened: WHAT THE EXAMINER PUT DOWN (AND GOT WRONG) 1. "Painful motion only" He wrote that my gout caused nothing more than: mild pain slight limitation normal or near-normal range of motion This completely ignores the actual severity documented in my medical records. 2. No severe limitations He documented: no marked limitation no functional loss normal strength stable gait no difficulty walking no swelling, warmth, or redness These statements are contradicted directly by my urgent-care records from 2020-2025. 3. No incapacitating episodes He did NOT list: inability to walk inability to bear weight missed work flare-ups lasting weeks severe functional restrictions Yet all these events appear multiple times in my medical files. 4. Joint-by-joint evaluation only He rated: Right ankle - 10% Left ankle - 10% Right foot - 10% Left foot - 10% He did not consider that gout is a systemic condition when active. 5. No flare-up description He did NOT mention: how often I flare (6+ times per year) how long flares last (2-3 weeks) how they impact walking or standing how they affect my work how many urgent-care visits I've had These are basic items that should be asked in a C&P exam. 6. No reference to my actual medical evidence He ignored: multiple work-excuse slips "unable to weight bear" medical orders 6+ urgent-care gout records swelling/warmth/redness reports rheumatology follow-ups uric acid levels at 9.0 None of this made it into the exam report. AND HERE'S WHAT THE EXAMINER SHOULD HAVE DOCUMENTED (Based on my real medical evidence) 1. Incapacitating exacerbations My records clearly show: episodes requiring medical care inability to walk or stand weight-bearing restrictions periods where I could not work multiple severe flares each year Examples: 05/30/2021: "Unable to weight-bear, no walking or standing." 01/27/2025: Excused from work for 3 days due to prolonged flare. These MUST be included in a correct C&P assessment. 2. Frequency of attacks He should have noted: "Veteran experiences 6+ gout flares per year." My medical record shows urgent-care visits every few months. 3. Duration of attacks He should have documented: "Flares lasting 2-3 weeks." This is repeated across multiple years of treatment. 4. Objective physical findings My medical record shows: swelling warmth redness edema impaired gait decreased weight-bearing These are fundamental exam findings that should have been recorded. 5. Systemic, active gout He should have evaluated me under: DC 5002 -- Systemic Arthritis / Active Process Because the evidence shows: multi-joint involvement chronic active disease rheumatology involvement repeated incapacitating attacks This is the correct rating method -- not individual joint ROM tests. 6. Functional loss He should have documented: difficulty standing difficulty walking missed work limitations during flare-ups pain with weight-bearing All of this is in my medical record. 7. Rheumatology evidence My rheumatologist documented: "Persistent pain and swelling despite treatment." This was completely ignored. WHY THIS MATTERS Because NONE of this was included, the VA legally had to keep me at 10% per joint, even though my medical evidence supports a 40-60% systemic rating. The exam did not reflect: the true severity the real frequency the medical documentation the functional limitations Instead, it reduced my condition to "mild painful motion," which is completely inaccurate. BOTTOM LINE What he documented: "Mild painful motion, slight limitation, no major impairment." What he SHOULD have documented: Severe, recurrent, systemic gout with: 6+ flares per year inability to walk or bear weight work restrictions prolonged attacks swelling, edema, warmth urgent-care visits rheumatology confirmation functional loss chronic active disease This difference is why my rating stayed low. I hope other veterans get a more complete and accurate evaluation than I did. read more

I am an employee for the federal government. I have a chronic injury which is plantar fasciitis tarsal tunnel and a heel spur. I cannot stand on my feet more than 20 minutes at a time it's difficult for me to go shopping go anywhere where I was due substantial amount of walking when I was given narcotics for my pain I was deemed an abuser so I decided not to take any medicine at all and at first I was given a rating of 8 to 9% and then the department of labor said the doctor used and obsolete copy of the material he needed to make a rating which was very hard to believe he was in San Francisco on Van Ness St. and then the last two doctors I've seen rated me at 1% and this Dr.Lewis rated me 2% so yes he will under evaluate you and waste your time and he mumbles a lot and doesn't make very much sense. Don't waste your time find another doctor. Thank you. read more

I saw Dr. Lewis a few years ago via telemedicine to get a second opinion on acute on chronic pain. With my history, it wasn't easy. His advice led me to have a more serious talk with my pain management and eventually a headache specialist. I am able to say that not only has the pain been treated and modified to allow me to work and avoid the disabling trap that chronic patient's face. I guarantee you that he cares for his patients and in turn helping people more than the money (although it does help, especially in CA). In response to the patient that had a peer to peer dispute.... the guy is human first. However, he is far from dumb. I work remotely in Health Information Management, and I can tell you that sometimes the clinical presentation isn't always completely captured. In a 3000 page chart, depending on how detailed the notes are, I can tell you for sure that most times, the documentation is lacking on the physician end... and it happens more than you think. To treat anyone as poorly as you're treating this physician is beyond appalling. However, I am glad that your appeal did prove helpful. What I'm trying to get at is: it's not personal. It's just that the documentation is usually lacking and so it's hard for someone to do their job without it. read more

After seeing so many conflicting reviews, I figured that I have to chip in my personal experience with Dr. Lewis. I met Dr. Lewis on HealthTap. It was 10:33pm and I had been in constant stomach pain for several weeks. Dr. Lewis called me and spoke for more than 1 hour until almost midnight. A typical online consultation session should be 15 minutes. He asked many questions and listened to me really carefully. He's very humble, yet he is very knowledgeable when it comes to pain management. I find him to be one of the very few physicians that open to learn new things and think of a patient holistically as a whole person. In today's conventional care system, specialists tend to turf patients around to each other way too much. At the end of the day, the patient suffers from unresolved pains. Dr. Lewis focuses on helping his patient figure out the likely root cause of the pain, coming up with a comprehensive treatment plan (incorporating natural treatments with fewer side effects), etc. He is willing to go the extra mile and figure out ways to get insurance coverage approval if he believes that's the best for the patient. I find his consultation to be very informative and useful. I completely disagree that he's working for the big money. He is the type of doctor you want to see when you have a very complex medical history, and is dealing with a situation where your other providers don't have a clue. As far as disability goes, I suppose only the ones who got rejected would be complaining here, making it sound like Dr. Lewis is biased. I took multiple disability leaves in the past myself, never even need any appeal. Those with clear and convincing cases would not need their files to be reviewed by Dr. Lewis in the first place. I feel very lucky to talk to Dr. Lewis, and will certainly keep the follow-ups with him as needed. read more

I came in for a chronic knee issue and told Dr. Lewis of my troubles with previous orthopedists. No time to talk. Standard doctor speak from Mr. Lewis. No diagnosis. No observation. No nothing. Just a few minutes of rambling about stretching, PT, yada yada. Nothing of substance whatsoever. And to top it off I was asked to give a totally out of the blue urine sample, which I thought nothing of but was caught off guard, and just found out I have to pay the lab fees for. Awesome! Thanks for totally misleading me on that and exploiting me. Awful. read more

It's possible my opinion may change on subsequent visits, but in my original consultation with Dr. Lewis I found him to be patient, easy to speak with, and very attentive to my concerns and questions. The front desk was expedient, helpful and very kind. I'd say my only slight complaint was the long wait in the examination room, but the reason became clear once I met with the Dr. Lewis, who took extra time to speak with me and make me feel completely at ease discussing my condition. read more

I've had a great experience with Dr. Lewis. He may lack a certain bedside manner that some people crave, but that's not to say he isn't empathetic. He's clearly very smart and listens to what you have to say. He encourages people to empower themselves with information about their condition/issue so that you can make the best decision together. For those that complain about not having enough time with the doctor. If you want a luxurious treatment -- go to the spa. I think it's great that he tries to see/help as many people as possible. He actually saw me once on his lunch break, which is notable/commendable. Of course, you deserve to get all of your questions answered, so I guess you should know what you want to discuss when you see him. read more

Dr. Moshe Lewis works for CID Management & utilization review services who are PAID to DENY benefits to legitimate Workers Compensation claimants. Dr. Lewis has delayed my treatment so he can receive a pay check. The pain I've been in since he has gotten involved is a 10 out of 10 but he doesn't care so long as he gets a pay check. YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF. You Dr. Lewis are violating your Hippocratic Oath by knowingly denying warranted and in your words "conservative" medical requests for your own profit. It is disgusting. I have a broken back and I am not allowed to receive treatment because of YOU. NOTE TO ALL - do not use this doctor. His opinions are for sale to the insurance companies and he'll only feed you lip service. You'll arrive in pain and leave and pain and stay in pain because of this man. 05/04/2015 UPDATE: Moshe complained to Yelp! that my review is unfair. Everything happened exactly as stated and I'm not the only one to say so. Additionally, I can prove everything I've written. Perhaps Moshe should consider getting out of the Utilization Review business if he doesn't like it when people tell the truth about his hypocrisy. read more

Worst doctor I would never go to him again does not care about how he can help you just med refills learned a lot since I left him come to find out a surgery is needed stay away from this doctor read more

So be ready for Dr. Lewis! He is very limited in time and will only give you a few minutes of which he believes he comprehends and already knows all the symptoms you are describing; basically leaving you with no time to place one word. Be ready, be ready! read more

As others have said -- and obviously I should have checked here first -- you will not get much time with him. I arrived 20 minutes early to go through the paperwork, finished on time, and asked if he was on schedule. She said she thought so. 45 minutes later I saw the doctor. With much effort I stretched our time out to 15 minutes. I had been told over the phone that I had a 30 minute appointment. He made no physical observations of me. He ordered an MRI. I was very concerned about what caused my injury, and his only insight is that 40 year olds will tend to tear their rotator cuff without any specific cause. So nothing on how I can make it not recur. And of course I'll never see him again. I get to wait 2 weeks for someone to read the MRI results. Meanwhile I'm supposed to get physical therapy without knowing the MRI results. It was a people mill. Go somewhere else. read more

I'll make this short and sweet. Dr. Lewis gave me the wrong diagnosis. I suffered a neck injury last year sure that I had slipped a disc in it. So I asked SOMA to book an MRI for me and for Dr. Lewis to diagnose. After the MRI, I went into see him and he told me that I had no slipped disc, but probably just badly pulled ligaments. Over the next 6 months, the pain subsided, but never went away fully. 6 months later, the pain gets worse and I went to see another Dr. and I showed him the same MRI Dr. Lewis had seen - except this dr. said I DID have a bulging disc. He even showed me on the radiology report (the one Dr. Lewis handed to me) where it said 'bulge' in the disk. He then showed me on the MRI where the bulge was. Easy to see. Dr. Lewis missed it or just failed to tell me. He gave the wrong diagnosis. read more

This doctor wears two hats. For his own patients everything is available. However he also works for the insurance companies doing reviews, known as utilization reviews. With these patients, who he has never meet, he will cut the patient off of pain medications just to save the insurance company a few bucks and to enrich himself. So sad. read more

I had a good experience with Dr. Lewis. I had been seeing other doctors for my condition previously, but had to choose a new doctor when we moved to San Francisco. He patiently listened to my (complicated) history with my bad knee, and believed me the first time I told him the story (most doctors don't). And he also told me that I am very on top of my condition and well educated about it, so he'd listen to my ideas for treatment options! I told him a cortisone shot had helped in the past and he gave me another right then and there. I too was thrown off by the request for a urine sample, but the office staff explained the whole thing to me and it made complete sense. I would recommend Dr. Lewis to friends and I will return to see him if I need to. read more

I've had a great patient experience with Dr. Lewis and SOMA Orthopedics (near St. Luke's Hospital). He has been managing my lower back pain for the past several months. After 40+ years with a healthy back and very active lifestyle, it's scary to wake up one morning with back pain that doesn't go away, even more concerning when the pain starts radiating down a leg and it becomes a struggle to walk. Dr. Lewis was my partner in choosing the best approach for me,..."less is more". He thoroughly and thoughtfully explained my diagnostic results, causes of pain and pro's / con's of treatment options. He answered all my questions (as well as my wife's) and very honest about the limitations of "spine medicine". Although my longer-term prognosis is TBD, I believe to be in good medical care with Dr. Lewis. read more

I re-posted my below 'duplicate' review in error (but haven't yet learned how to remove). Till I do, I continue to value Dr. Lewis as an exceptionally-good Dr! read more

I had my first visit with Dr. Lewis and it went very well. He was very personable and has a great bed side manner. He was very patient and answered all my questions. He explained the different options of treatments. I appreciate his kindness and understanding. I would recommend other patients to him. read more

Seriously, this dr is so self absorbed it's hard to get him to listen. It's very sad because he could probably be a good dr if only he would give his patients a moment to talk. It feels like he makes up his mind/sizes you up in the first 3 minutes that you're in his office. He really needs to learn some compassion about his patients or go to another specialty. It seems like he thinks everyone there is looking for drugs!! read more

Dr. Lewis has been my pain physician for almost 6 years, he has always been very caring & very through hard to understand what the negative reviews are all about I disagree not only do I disagree but I would recommend Dr. Lewis to anyone who is having pain issues. Dr. Lewis is highly trained constantly stays informed in his field. read more

I don't know what to say .. I've seen Dr. Lewis for a year and some change for that time we've had a great doctor-Client relationship for all I can tell. Workers comp settled my case ... Went in for a last appointment and the works comp wouldn't pay for my appointment which is understandable because the case has been resolved. But I wanted to thank him for his services and shake his hand and ask my last few questions. He wouldn't see me without me paying $170.00 fee for a follow up appointment to even talk to me . Is what his front desk ladies said to me. I'm writing this too say he's a great doctor. But I don't know what the hell that was ... Still don't understand. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Lewis for several years and he has been fantastic. Very flexible meeting/making appointments, very informative and kindhearted. He has made my life much better and knows my injuries better than any other sports medicine Dr. I have seen over the past 15yrs. Thank you Dr. Lewis. Don't know what the bad workman's comp reviews are about. I have witnessed nothing but professionalism and understanding. read more

I see Dr. Lewis for pain in my back and he is extremly patience! He and took the time to listen to me and even asked about my sholder pain also as i gesturing to explain pain. He explaind my surjical options and was very kind. He gave me a Cortizone injections and was timely as well. He was experience and nice. I recommend high! read more

I'm very surprised that there are any ratings less than 5 stars. Dr. Lewis is a fantastic doctor, knowledgeable diagnostician & above all a very personable, caring person. I spent almost 6 stressful years without an accurate diagnosis. I was being labeled either an addict or that my pain & symptoms were psychosomatic. I was becoming increasingly depressed. I had the intention of seeing his associate in his San Francisco after extensive research, but when I was giving my medical information to the nurse at their office, she suggested I see Dr. Lewis. Thank God she did! He is a fast talker, but he hears everything you say & wants the best for you. He is a patient advocate 1st & foremost, & will do whatever he can to assist you. He is extremely busy, only because he wants to help as many people as possible. You do need to be vocal & tell him exactly what your concerns & needs are- he will take great care of you. read more

DO NOT USE DR LEWIS. Unless all you want is someone to write you a Schedule II drugs (he's very good at that) and not want any further diagnosis or treatment, I would absolutely recommend another doctor because: a) his billing is a MESS; when I first started going to him, he wouldn't accept credit cards for copay (Dr's who are only cash business are a definite red flag). When you don't have the cash on had for the copay, they will of course be gracious enough to "bill you"...BUT FROM THAT POINT ON, you'll need to keep your OWN records. "Maria" is notorious for double-billing and will try to get you to pay for a visit you didn't pay 6 months ago, thought you've been coming in regularly. b) You will wait for at least 45 minutes...if you are lucky. Dr Lewis/Maria overschedule to the point that regardless of how early or on time you arrive, you will Always end up waiting...and they don't care (you can see Dr Lewis or the nurse casually reading and chatting in the back as their patients overflow in the waiting room c) they are playing a shell-game of referrals with friends; your own doctors and treatments don't matter any more. You'll have to go to doctors THEY recommend to get physical therapy, X-ray etc from THEIR people even when they are out of your network. Dr Lews has a "nothing" personality, he's not very knowledgeable, he's in it for the money and doesn't care about wellness...just how much you can pay and to how many of his croneys. STAY AWAY...this is Silicon Valley and we are blessed with MANY good doctors to chose from. read more

I can't understand for years I been seeing the Dr now that I need to get a prior authorization from the insurance the office is no help in doing this.Ive been on morphine sulfate for years wanting to ween off got doctor to lower my milligrams from 60 mg to 30 mg extended release now that the insurance needs a prior authorization no one will do anything I called ins they sent authorization back to Dr Lewis now Dr lewis office saying that I need to wait one to two weeks I ask why so long the answer I get I don't know.I ask can I talk to someone that does you can't she says .I don't understand how a doctor could put you on morphine for many years.(seton Daly City) then just not care or follow up or have such a incompetent secretary as his. read more

I am sorry for anyone who hasn't had the opportunity of giving Dr. Lewis the time and trust to do what he does best -- take care of chronic pain and orthopedic issues. He is a genius! I have been seeing him for the last 6-7 years and have been so happy with my care. I have never met a doctor that cares more. He is an amazing doctor and, although the waiting room is constantly full, he sees you as quickly as possible and never makes you wait for an unmanageable time period. And, he does whatever he needs to in order to take care of your issues. I love this doctor and know you will too! read more

I'm not sure where all the negative reviews are coming from but my care has been great. I'm sure the bad reviews are from foot soldiers of competing docs, etc. Dr. Lewis has been managing my medical care for about 5 years. This doctor somehow knew exactly what I needed (talk about experience) and explained to me why my pain is so persistent. Honestly I've never had a bad experience with him, and he is the only PM&R doctor I've known who doesn't make false promises. If you have a sports injury and are in the San Francisco/Silicon Valley area, please see him. You won't regret it. Sometimes, individuals create financially harmful information about a business and place it online. Once the info shows up on search engines they (and others cronies) reach out to you to try and peddle their services (meaning posting new, fake, positive testimonials to mask the negative posts). If you refuse to listen to them they can secretly post many more hurtful opinions, to coerce funds out of the business. I sincerely believe Dr. Lewis is an innocent victim of such as crime. I highly recommend him. read more

Moshe is among the most friendly and sociable physicians I have met. When I first came to him I was a mess. With chronic pain since a young age, I was deemed not to be a surgical candidate and carted off to pain management - for end of the line palliative treatment that didn't jive with my interests as young person in my 20's wanting to live life instead of being the patient who placed the pharmacy on back order each month, as I did. Now Moshe took the time to work with me during appointments, never once rolled his eyes or grumbled when I became a regular in his 7:45 am "Emergency Slot" on the heels of yet another ER visit or medication reaction or intolerance due to the very serious side effects I was experiencing. He stated the course with me and I worked with him. Signing on with him was like a social contract. We would both do our best. And now, after initially being scared away from him after the first visit because his initial goals (for reduction in medication) seemed far too unattainable, I can now live life and with less pain medicine and haven't had to put the pharmacy on "back order" for years. I do read some negative criticism of Dr. Lewis and while I can't speak to anyone else, I can tell you that Moshe did a wonderful job for me. Maybe some of the other patients just didn't have the right fit -- and would have benefited from a different specialty for their specific condition - but for me - I saw Moshe at just the right time and I believe his encouragement as my "healer" and "Pain Coach" as he likes to describe it has added years onto my life, something for which I will forever be most grateful. Finally I would like to mention that while I do see ratings which are across-the-board for him, I do want to point out that for any physician whose practice is centered in pain management, they can be unfairly at the whim of the internet when legitimately refusing powerful pain medications to drug addicts. In today's society there is nothing to stop an addict from placing a negative review online as a way of "getting back" at a doctor who refused to write their drug of choice (or any strong drugs) and as a means of warning other addicts to steer clear of this physician, because he won't cater to them. All I can say is that for me, going to Dr. Moshe Lewis has probably extended my life for years and for that I am forever grateful. read more