Spiderman

I been in the blind about this program, finally decided to give enrollment a try and now have access, my question or complaint is this: I filed a claim on 2/9/2012. VA requested additional information on 2/27/2012, Due by / Past Due on 3/29/2012. I submitted the remaining evidence on 3/22/2012. Ebenefits has not acknowledge or posted that I sent any additional evidence. They say to give them 21 days to update the web site, it has been 5 months now, still no update. I some how was able to make an inquire on the situation on 7/7/2012 thru IRIS, but have not received any follow-up, I filed my claim thru DAV (big mistake) they sent letters telling me it was submitted, but when I went to the regional office in my State I was literally walked to the front door after being told they would check into it (right), and have not heard anything from anyone. Is this common for it to take months to update the web site? Should I submit the paper work again, and slow the process that much more, lost and confused, please help.

Can your Primary Doctor fill out a DBQ form on a Veteran, or does it have to be done at the C&P level? I have a Valvular Heart Disease with a secondary condition of an aorta aneurysm, and would like the primary,and the cardiologist to fill the form out.

Curious as to how Medical Opinions Assoc worked for you, I'm having a hard time finding an IMO cardio doc.

I am currently 60% disable for valvular heart disease, when I was first rated back in 1975, my decision went like this: diagnosis 10-75 valvular heart disease, probably congenital, however, atypical rheumatic fever cannot be ruled out due to rheumatoid syndrome 8-75. (10%) My aorta valve finally had to be replaced in 2007, aorta stenosis bicuspid aorta valve. Disability went to 100% during 1st six months then reduced to 60%. In 2010, chest pains returned, and after testing an ascending aorta, aneurysm was discovered. This is being monitored and I hope it will be repaired someday; I have planned to submit a claim for aorta aneurysm secondary to the valvular heart disease. It has already reached 5cm, and as I understand CFR 38, 4.104 para 7110 it is compensable if 5cm or larger in diameter. My question is if the VA finds someway to deny my claim for secondary disability, will they still repair the aneurysm ? Just receive notice from last C&P for the heart, which was suppose to have been for the aneurysm, that the VA is proposing to reduce my disability to 30% . So this messes things up as well

Thanks Berta

Has anyone used Medical Experts USA, that advertise in this forum? I just seen the ad today, their web-site is medicalexperts.com Does anyone know how to use this forum to find out their success rate, or any of the others, Dr Bash etc., success rate.

Filing aorta aneurysm as secondary claim to my service connected disability valvular heart disease US Army 1972-1975, I am currently 60% disabled with a history of service connected valvular heart disease. DX before leaving the service, (Aorta Stenosis, bicuspid aorta valve). My disability is not IHD or connected to AO, but still ; Service Connected, Peacetime, Incurred (don’t know why the record says Peacetime) 10% from 10/16/1975 100% from 02/13/2007 60% from 09/01/2008 The aorta valve had to be replaced in 2007, In 2010 I started having some familiar symptoms, testing was done the MRI showed an aorta aneurysm 5cm x 4.6cm, 8 months later a CT with contrast, showed aorta aneurysm 4.9cm x 4.8cm. In the CFR 38 - 4.104 - 7110, an aneurysm is compensability when it reaches 5cm. Doctor/Radiology progress report states: likely part of the spectrum of by bicuspid valve and aortopathy. Fellow veterans have told me that this does not say what the relationship is between the aneurysm and the service connected valvular heart disease. In a non related C&P exam, which was to be for this purpose, but the claim was wrote up wrong, the examiner did comment on the aorta aneurysm, he stated in his DIAGNOSES,(quote) “ 1. Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. 2. Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. This is most likely related to the aortic stenosis.” IS this going to be sufficient evidence in connecting the two diseases together? Or is an IMO / Nexus Letter still going to be needed? I am having a hard time finding someone to write a nexus letter. Thanks for all of your comments regarding this issue. Spiderman

Thats a good question I don't know why that is listed like that, but will check into it, thanks for pointing that out.

Filing aorta aneurysm as secondary claim to my service connected disability valvular heart disease US Army 1972-1975, I am currently 60% disabled with a history of service connected valvular heart disease. DX before leaving the service, (Aorta Stenosis, bicuspid aorta valve). My disability is not IHD or connected to AO, but still ; Service Connected, Peacetime, Incurred 10% from 10/16/1975 100% from 02/13/2007 60% from 09/01/2008 The aorta valve had to be replaced in 2007, In 2010 I started having some familiar symptoms, testing was done the MRI showed an aorta aneurysm 5cm x 4.6cm, 8 months later a CT showed aorta aneurysm 4.9cm x 4.8cm. In the CFR 38 - 4.104 - 7110, an aneurysm is compensability when it reaches 5cm. Doctor/Radiology progress report states: likely part of the spectrum of by bicuspid valve and aortopathy. Fellow veterans have told me that this does not say what the relationship is between the aneurysm and the service connected valvular heart disease. In a non related C&P exam, which was to be for this purpose, but the claim was wrote up wrong, the examiner did comment on the aorta aneurysm, he stated in his DIAGNOSES,(quote) “ 1. Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis. 2. Aneurysm of the thoracic aorta. This is most likely related to the aortic stenosis.” IS this going to be sufficient evidence in connecting the two diseases together? Or is a Nexus Letter still going to be needed? I am having a hard time finding someone to write a nexus letter. Thanks of all comments regarding this issue. Spiderman

Recently filed claim for aortic aneurysm secondary to vulvular heart disease, The board is asking for addition information showing evidence showing a connection between the aortic aneurysm disability and my service connected valvular heart disease, really no brain-er, I think its all in the medical records, but want cover myself, I've got the 30 day notice to submit any additional information,I might be jumping ahead of myself, and let things ride on the va doctors notes, but like I said trying to cover myself. All additional information is well appreciated. Thanks

My VSO has requested a predetermination hearing for me, after he messed the wording up in my claim 8 months ago, my question is; is a predetermination hearing the same thing as a RO hearing?

I requested an increase / IU to my valvular heart disease due to an aorta aneurysm after having my aorta valve replaced. The request was written up wrong, by not mentioning the aorta aneurysm on the VA Form 21-4138. Only the aorta valve was re-evaluated and was found to have some improvement, request for increase denied , service-connected disabilities will drop from old combined 60% to 30%. Just received my denial letter went to my DAV rep and we requested a Personal Hearing, and re-submitted a claim for aorta aneurysm, I Live in the Dallas-Ft Worth area. My question is; do these types of hearings take place in 30 days, or are they backlogged like the rest of the system where it might take 6 to 12 months or longer before this takes place? My second question has to do with obtaining an IMO, I am not satisfied with the VA doctors note in the progress report with the comment on the aneurysm stating (“likely part of the spectrum of by bicuspid valve and aortophathy“). I understand that the wording needs to be “more likely than not”. Should I try to obtain an IMO before the personal hearing do I have time, or should I wait until I get a second C&P for the new claim