john6012

I don't think the removal from IU will see the light of day. Think about it, more will draw Food Stamps and government subsidies, more veterans will lose their Homes if the mortgage is a VA guaranteed home or even a conventional loan, more veterans will be homeless placing even more of a burden on society. Bankruptcy may even play a part. But as I read, there are only 225,000 veterans on IU and that is not a huge figure. And, the Veterans life insurance will possibly lapse because the veterans can't afford to make monthly payments which will hurt their survivors. Tell me how a veteran drawing Social Security of $1,000.00 per month is going to make ends meet or provide properly for his or her spouse. A lot of enlisted veterans haven't paid a lot of money into the SS program over the years-especially if they've been disabled for a couple of decades. Personally, I can't fathom the federal government doing this to the veterans on IU. It will create a lot of bad publicity that the politicians don't want and, Trump said he'd take care of America's veterans-that was a campaign promise but politicians have broken promises before. Many of you can think of other things I'm sure regarding why IU shouldn't be pulled from our veterans and in each you'd be correct I'm sure. But 225,000 veterans doesn't total up to a large number and it is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) make this recommendation and that's all it is, a recommendation. Those drawing government welfare benefits by and large have never contributed to society much less served in the military. The removal of IU will never see the light of day and CBO should never have caused those veterans on IU undue concern for their financial future.

A bit late to reply to this, but I too have ED and I think it is psychological because my ex and I had sex once per quarter if that often on her schedule. I told myself repeatedly that it doesn't matter and ultimately I developed ED and she departed (Good!). I was seen by a doctor and he did a test performed by a female that tested the blood pressure in my.... ahem. He read the results and said the BP was borderline and then I went to a Urologist and told him and he did an implant and to cover it via my Blue Cross said it was due to hypertension that I had since I was in the military. Well, it worked for 2-3 years and failed. Then I had a repeat implant by the same Urologist and it failed after a couple of years also. Then I went to the VA and had it service-connected and received 10% for ED. Current wife is comfortable as is but I am not. I don't have the urge anymore and I miss it...

I have bone-on-bone of the non-dominant shoulder and the VA Hospital in OKC is going to do the total shoulder replacement. I am interested in hearing from a few vets that have had shoulder arthroplasty and how they did post-surgery. Dr Betsy Nolan is going to be the surgeon and she has done over 500 shoulder replacements and that is far, far more than any surgeons in OKC. So please, give some advise and tell me how the end product was. I know about the 100% for one year and 30-60% thereafter but I'm primarily interested in the outcome of the surgery.

Most likely is what the VA is looking for and I believe they would honor your claim in a positive manner. I think you have what you need. More likely than not is another term they accept. Perhaps others may join in and enlighten us in this matter...

SOAP is a lot better than a doctor friend used: S: Symptom H: History I: Impression T: Treatment I couldn't believe it when he told me until he shown me a medical record.

Sorry to be so late in replying but the end diagnosis is: (1) Mild to moderate nonfocally stenosing epicardial coronary disease (2) Normal left heart pressures and (3) Normal left ventrical function. He prescribed Lipitor and would refill Nitrostat as needed with annual followups. The MD did say that I have hypertensive changes within the heart, no ISHD, no CAD but epicardial coronary disease?? I sent all the information given to me by the doctor to the RO and am awaiting their response but do not look for anything to be awarded. Although I have s/c hypertension and there are hypertensive changes in the heart so..... But I think the VA is interested in only one thing-ISHD and if anything else crops up that might be s/c it is not an issue with them unless I specifically file for that particular ailment... Is this accurate?

I'm going to let the Va work it all out and see if they come up with anything, after all it is their job and who knows? No sense starting afight before it is necessary. But I failed to mention that the angiogram revealed a 50% block on one artery so if all else fails, I can personall address the 50% by diet, exercise and weight loss. That alone is sufficient news to me. I have a follwoup app't with the cardiologist later this month and I'll post what he says during the meeting.

I received a copy of the Angiogram and the diagnosis is: Mild to moderate nonfocally stenosing epicardial coronary disease. And in researching on the internet, this is related to CAD which means????

I've been taking it since 2007 and I got tired of taking it once and broke the pill in half giving me 20mg. I was trying to ween myself off the Celexa and got anxious so I started the 40mg up again. Sure would like to stop taking sop much medicine, it can caue liver damage. I know, I had a reaction to Dilantin and had hepatic failure and a friend was put on so many medications that his liver failed completely and he passed away. Medicines are not necessarily good, you are trading one evil for another and hoping it woun't harm you.

Today I went to the QTC appointment and they had me see the doctor and he read what I'd written down about chest pain, medication and so forth. He wrote everything down, ordered a chest xray and ECG and asked me to FAX him a copy of the echocariogram because that is the most accurate way to determine METS. I have to say I was astounded becaue of the simplicity of the exam and tests requested. I also have to say that the Dr who did the angiogram said initially I had IHD and after the angio said that I had a 50% blockage in the heart which was good news as I can now take measures to reduce cholesterol etc and lose weight/watch my diet. But, I don't know exactly what the MD said after the angio because I was out and can't remember what he said other than the blockage. Bottom line is that the QTC examiner seemed to accept my word about IHD and I won't know my exact diagnosis until I have a f/u app't later in Nov. Strange state of affairs in my opinion. So it's up in the air.....

This is my history: Republic of Vietnam 1965-67 1984: Hypertension/chest pain, Left Ventricula hypertrophy per ECG, Bruce Test suggestive of very early CAD although not diagnostic 1985: Inverted T-waves suggestive of ischemia 1987: LVH per x-ray/ECG 1987: Moderate concentric LVH 1988: Cardiomyopathy with LVH 1988: One episode of syncoop with atrial fibrillation 1989: LVH with repolarization abnormality 1999: CAD w/o clinical bais 2007: ECG w/borderline sinus rhythm and abnormal left axis deviation Hypertension with renal insufficiency non-sc Rating Exams are a follows: 13 Dec 85: SC denied because no CAD was shown in military service records and no residual chest pain on exam 24 Jun 88: Denied SC for heart condition because the rating states no heart condition was found on exam. 22 May 2007 QTC exam: ECG with borderline sinus rythm and abnormal left axis deviation which examiner condisdered not significant, no heart abnormalities noted. Many if not all of the non rating diagnoses were not told me by the VA physicians over the years and after a recent denial of AO (because I didn't show for the app't) were listed and SC denied. I have had fluttering and minor chest pain for many years non-treated and recently changed civilian MDs and th enew MD asked me about chest pain due to the 1984 Bruce Test and referred me to a cardiologist where the determined I have ischemia, blockage and have an Angiogram tomorrow. It is after the Angio tht the cardiologist will advise me of my situation. Thank you Berta for lsitening.

I have all the ECG's, records etc. but I don't know what the date VA uses if they validate and affirm an AO claim. I've requested several ratings for heart condition due to LVH since '85 and have been denied all x's the most recent was in 1998 which the QTC exam revealed LVH. Now I have the symptoms, SOB, palpatation, chest pain, dizziness etc. I guess it doesn't matter what any of us think, we're all at the mercy of the VA and if we don't like their decision, we can appeal and obtain an IMO. I know that sometimes one has to enter the fray of battle to obtain rightful benefits.

The same thing happened to me, I failed to receive the appointment letter (probably threw the QTC letter out because of junk mail) and they denied my AO claim. I appealed by letter and they answered and set up a new QTC appointment. Don't be too concerned, you'll get through.

In 1985 I left the military and in 1984 I underwent a Bruce Stress test due to chest pain and hypertension that was borderline in that it was suggestive of CAD although not diagnostic. Now, I still have chest pain, on Nitrostate and have been diagnosed as having IHD, cardiomyopathy and a blockage supposedly due to hypertension. I am due to undergo an echocardiogram and angiogram and if the results are what the MD thinks they'll be, I'll be in a cardiac mess. Would there be a nexus or link to the 1984 testing and treatment?

I experienced the same thing or thereabout that you are experiencing. It went into depression and I wwas treated for such and am still on antidepressants-but tht the breaks, I should not be so concerned about what the VA may do, just relax and roll with the waves. They ruled in my favor but the problem persists.