jachay

Allan, My husband's claim was worked from the St. Pete office. It took a little over 7 months. He received a 100% P&T rating. His case was much like yours except he filed a claim in 2004 and was denied. His private cardiologist filled out the form provided by the VA and he checked that he has chronic Congestive Heart Disease. The C&P doctor confirmed it. He had had one episode in about 3 years but has taken medication for it for years. Are you taking medication for Congestive Heart Disease? In CFR 38.4., the "OR" is the key. If you have Congestive Heart Disease, no mets or LVEF is needed....at least, it wasn't in his case. You either have Congestive Heart Disease or you don't. The VA should have all that information since they have been treating you. The key, IMO, is the mark in the YES box asking if you have Congestive Heart Disease. Ask for clarification from your VA doctor if that is the only doctor you see. We compared his C&P to the CFR 38, 4-104, (7005) CHD, Coronary Heart Disease. The "OR" confirmed to us that a 100% rating was coming although many here said 60% because of mets/LVEF. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Congratulations, Chu, and thank you for your service to our country.

I don't remember the VA ever addressing the meaning of chronic CHF but my husband's private cardiologist defined it as being chronic if you are treated for it daily with medication. He does have chronic CHF and received 100% rating. Hope this helps you....good luck.

Congratulations on your award. It shows those still waiting that they must not give up. Relax now and make life worth living. Thank you for your service to our country.

I'm always interested in skin problems that other vets have because my husband lost every bit of the pigment in his skin in 15 years after he returned from VN. He had two small white patches under his dogtags, which he wore in his bootlaces, when he left the Army.....he didn't see a need to mention it at the time. Years later, after his bypass surgery, his new doctor said it was caused by herbicide exposure. We had never heard of that before as two other doctors had said it was vitiligo. Vitiligo is spots of pigment loss. My husband lost ALL of his coloring!! He never persued this but we have always believed there was a connection. ....

Such heart-warming news! It is like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders....he can move forward now. Thanks for sharing, evandc.

We called the AL, our POA, and was given all the information over the phone. They had an online program that went to the RO. Good luck!!

Great news! I'm happy for you and yours. Thank you for your service to our country too.

As I understand it, there were Nehmer centers chosen to help out the regional VA offices. Nehmer cases have to have a special rating review too, I think. Nothing to worry about. You will be hearing something soon, I'm sure. Good luck. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Be sure to check out the "no taxes on your home deal" in Florida too. And congratulations....you should call your VSO or POA.....they should have all the award results already. Ours did....a week before we got our letter from St. Petersburg. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Call your POA....they should have the updated information. Congratulations!! Glad your wait is over.

Great news, Woody! I'll do a happy dance with you.

Call your POA....they helped us the same day our claim closed. Good luck!!

That is great news! I am so happy for you.

Papaw, Yes, it feels like you won the lottery, doesn't it? I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

They wouldn't give us details on the phone either so we called our POA, the American Legion. They gave us the news, down to the penny, and were very helpful. I suggest you contact yours.....couldn't hurt. Good luck.

Thank you for your suggestion. My husband is satisfied that his night terrors, PA, and strange behavior was caused by PTSD and is ok with it now. He had a difficult time before he knew what was wrong. I doubt that he will consider filing a claim again. No, jachay is a combination of my first and middle names.....thus, no capital letter.... +++++++++++++++++++

He takes Xanax too......lose dosage, and does fine. (He was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA in 2007 but denied SC.) With medication and counseling, plus knowledge of the effects of traumatic stress, he handles it well. He had a tough 15 years though. Good luck with your endeavors with the VA. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My husband had panic attacks for years and thought it was another heart attack coming. We spent alot of time in ER's and even ICU....then a doctor at the hunting camp told him he was having a panic attack and his PC physician concurred and started medication. He prevents the PAs with the meds x3 and is so much better now. It was rough on him for a long time. If you think your anxiety is SC, you should file a claim. He rarely has PAs now but takes meds 3Xs a day to prevent them.

It isn't long now, Papa! Hang in there!

Great news! I'm glad your wait is over. Take care of yourself and enjoy the rest of your life.

Such good news!! Glad your waiting is over. Now, go out and enjoy the rest of your life!!

Sorry, I've NEVER known anyone who had acute CHF.....

Chronic congestive heart failure will get you 100%. Acute CHF gets you 60%, I believe, but I've known anyone that had CHF called "acute". You either have it or you don't. Good luck!

What wonderful news!! I am so pleased that your wait is over. Now, get out there and have a great time!