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ensignoftheunit
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Posts posted by ensignoftheunit
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Got a letter from the VA today stating that they're requesting official copies of my treatment from my civilian provider. It also says they have "requested an examination through a private medical facility in order to determine the current level of your disability." Is that a tip of hat indicating its probably service connected, or just standard VA-speak?
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How long does it generally take once your package arrives in the VA's P.O. Box until it's "officially recieved"? Once it hits there box, or is there a processing period until its officially linked to your C-file? My case in point is that I was out of town when my VCAA response packet came in, so when I got back I put my case together and sent it out. My deadline is July 1st for the "thirty days policy" and I recieved confirmation that my enevelop was signed for and recieved on June 27th.
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but there is no need for MacDill AFB.
Alot of people don't realize this, but MacDill is a major military communications hub. Not to mention many of the elite, highly mobile communication teams are based there. The QRFs for Centcom and SOCCENT both call MacDill home, not to mention JCSE, who is excusively housed at MacDill. IMO MacDill is pretty low down on the list for closure...
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"When I go to mail out my package, is there any special forms i need to attach to the evidence (SMR, photos, statements, ect) stating that this is the evidence I want them to consider, or is it assumed everything in my envelope is evidence?"
You explained the hypertension claim well here.But I dont see the link due to the burn pits and suggest you could mention that as another factor but when they read this they will be looking for some disability you have due to the burn pit smoke.
Only reason I did it like this is because on the first page of their response, it lists: Hypertension (due to Enviroment Hazards in the Gulf War & Asbestos)
When I originally filed I did check the part where it asked if I had been exposed to enviromental hazards, but it seems they lumped it together with my Hypertension. Which, considering all the stuff I saw them dumping into the burn pit behind our compound, is entirely feasible.
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If I were you I would access these links and do some research by googling burn pit affects on military.
By all means file a claim that burn pits were the cause of any disability you have that could potentially be related to this type of exposure.
When I go to mail out my package, is there any special forms i need to attach to the evidence (SMR, photos, statements, ect) stating that this is the evidence I want them to consider, or is it assumed everything in my envelope is evidence?
Also, this is what I have for my Statement in Support Form, let me know if I have my bases covered, or if I need to add or clarify some things. (Editted locations and units just for the forum's sake)
Prior to my deployment in the 2007/2008 time frame I never suffered from hypertension and have no family history of the condition.
In August of 2007 I was activated by the ##### under Title 10 orders in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In September of 2007 I deployed to ####, Iraq to provide support to #####. While stationed in ####, I was exposed to toxic fumes that lingered over our compound that stemmed from the open burn pits less than a hundred yards from our work center and barracks.
I personally witnessed the surrounding military buildings around our compound being dismantled and the resulting industrial waste being incinerated in the adjacent open burn pit. I witnessed bulldozers dumping piles of insulation material, electronic components, tires and other industrial rubbish onto the burn pits. It was the thick black smoke from this same burn pit that lingered over our compound for the entire length of our deployment.
I am submitting photos I took to substantiate these burn pit claims.
Upon my return from ###, Iraq in February of 2008, I was diagnosed with Hypertension at Eisenhower Army Medical Center by ####. As noted in my SMR, my initial medication dosage of Hydrochlorothiazide was completely ineffective in controlling my condition.
Following my initial diagnosis I was deployed to #### in June 2008, and ####, Iraq in 2009. During these deployments my hypertension worsened until my readings averaged 150/110.
Since my return in 2008 my blood pressure readings have consistently been above 140/90 and I have been seeking continuous medical treatment since. I currently take Lisinopril on a daily basis as prescribed by my doctor and yet my blood pressure readings are still above the 130/90 range.
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If I were you I would submit copies of those SMR records and even highlight them with magic marker if they are hard to read.
Send them back the signed authorization form and copies of any documentation you have from your civilian doctor.
Did they enclose a response form with the VCAA letter? Make sure they get that back too in the timeframe they gave you.
Send them a short letter or refer them to back of the VCAA response form and state exactly what you have included as evidence with your response or fill out the 4138 form too that way.
Just a VCAA Notice with the election portion at the bottom where you can select to have the claim decided as quickly as possible. Then a Statement in Support Form (4138), and a Information Authorization (4142).
Another question; have you ever heard of the VA accepting pictures as supporting evidence about being stationed near burn pits? Several members of my unit developed complications they believe to be related to being stationed near burn pits in Taji & Balad, Iraq. We've got several pictures of our compound with the burn pits not a 100 yards behind us pouring out black smoke. Ever heard of that kind of evidence working in the Veterans favor, or is it pretty much a shot in the dark? I've heard proving conditions related to burn pit exposure is harder than usual.
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Yes, there was an in-service diagnosis of HBP along with initial treatment and several dosage increases to bring it under control.
Has the HBP been continuously treated with medication since you left the service?
Does the VA have that medical documentation ?
Yes, by my civilian doctor. And no, I haven't included that documentation. Haven't even thought about that. I didn't think the VA would consider that kind of evidence...
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Recieved my packet today requesting more information, along with the VCAA notice response, Authorization to Release Information & a Statement in Support of Claim. For something like Hypertension, where the numbers from my service medical records tell the tale, is a Statement in Support really going to help?
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Has anyone had any luck getting an SC for Tinnitus without hearing loss? I originally filled for Tinnitus back in late 2009 when I came off active duty. The VA sent me for a hearing test and denied my claim in record time; I think I filed in January and got my denial in April or May. Never filed for NOD because I believed the VA knew what was best...
Hearing test was fine, I have great hearing, I feel my Tinnitus is related to my HBP. And perhaps my anxiety issues have some correlation to my Tinnitus. (Anyone who suffers from this condition know where I'm coming from.)
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Anxiety can be a big driver of high bp.
If it had manifested itself during my active time is one thing, but service connecting Anxiety as a result of service seems like an impossible task. I read about veterans with well documented injuries getting denied on a regular basis; as for something subjective as Anxiety resulting from cumulative high stress deployments? I wouldn't know where to even start building a case.
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I filed online and found the process very simple, the good thing about filing online is that the filing day is when you push the submit button. I received a 0% for Hypertension, from the first get go. I think that by the time you have the C&P you will have the Hypertension controlled by meds, and I think that the rating is based on those readings. The C&P doc made me go three consecutive days before finalizing the report. But even a 0% is good, so good luck!
Yeah, I started filing the paperwork online last night, just gotta get my pertinent paperwork scanned in and attached and I'm ready to file. 0% will take care of your meds and Doctor's visits pertaining to that condition, correct? Do you remember what range your readings fell in when you went in for your C&P?
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1. However, HBP can lead to heart disease,strokes and other complications that can become secondary to any SC HBP rating.
2. Do you have any other conditions whatsoever that could be attributed to the HBP
3. or to your service?
1. That's my primary reason for filing, I'm much more worried about the complications down the road. HBP doesn't inter with my daily life much, but its a dark shadow looming over my future.
2. Tinnitus & ED (because of meds). That's how I found out about my HBP. I got back from a deployment with my ears ringing like crazy. I've always had perfect hearing, still do. I went to my military doctor and turned out my blood pressure was sky high. To this day I have perfect hearing, but ringing in the ears. I shot myself in the foot with that claim though, when I went back a couple of months later after another deployment I told my provider that the ringing went away. I was scared they'd rate me and non-deployable for having HBP & Tinnitus so I lied about not having Tinnitus anymore. I made E-6 in 5 years and have a wall of medals and awards because I slide some stuff under the rug so I could keep volunteering for Middle East duties.
3. Anxiety, lack of concentration, . I have a very successful civilian career; great wife, great boss, great house and I'm more worried than I've ever been. The wife pays the bills and balances the budgets because I can't handle looking at our meager bills, or I forget to pay something. I bought a great car a couple of weeks ago and I worry about it incessantly even though I have a warranty on it. Every minor squeak or rattle I worry about. I guess that's what really made me realize I'd changed, because back when I was active and deploying every couple of months I drove a car with almost every "check engine" light on and never worried a bit. Now that I have one in perfect working order, with a clean bill of health from my mechanic and a warranty from my credit union I worry incessantly.
But I chalk that up to the price of my service, and I don't really feel comfortable at the moment going down the VA road for Anxiety because I'm still in the reserves and hope to retire from it in another 13 years. But I will certainly explore my options in the civilian medical community.
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Most people with numbers that high are already dead.
True story; my doctor and his nurses go banana-ramma when I come in with a reading of 150/100, so something along the lines of 170/130 has got to be seriously detrimental to your health. I don't know at what point high blood pressure induces a heart attack or stroke, but it can't be much higher than 200/160...
My stuff is chump change compared to yours. At this point I'm hoping I can get the VA to acknowledge my hypertension so if mine ever gets that high I can get help.
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Sure, even if zero percent, I'd try. jmo
Would you recommend filing online, or getting someone to help you through the process? I feel like this might be an "up-hill" claim, so I'd like to do it right the first time.
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Diagnosed with hypertension on active duty- within a year my medical records document the following readings:
146/99
143/101
158/111
148/107
144/100
Most visits saw an increase in dosage to attempt to bring my BP under control- this is stated in the records.
With these readings do I have a fighting chance that the VA could grant me SC? I'm just trying to get my medication taken care for this condition?
Hypertension
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted
Its listed as essential hypertension but its definitely in my SMR. The diagnosis was made on active duty and then reaffirmed by another military doctor in SMR. I also have a documented history of steadily increasing medication dosages.