HelloAll;
Newbie here and thought I would share my experience regarding a claim submitted
for Pulmonary Hypertension (Secondary). I am rated 60% IHD/CAD, 20% DMII, 10%
Peripheral Neuropathy each extremity and 10% for Tinnitus , due to presumptive herbicide exposure in VN.
Since being diagnosed by a private cardiologist with IHD/CAD my primary
complaint has been chronic shortness of breath on exertion. Based on past and
recent echo's indicating progessing mild to moderate Pulmonary Hypertension I
was referred to a pulmonologist.
After multiple tests the pulmonologist came to the conclusion and completed a
DBQ for Pulmonary Vascular Disease (6817) that the Pulmonary Hypertension
(Secondary) was caused " in part and due to a decreased LVEF and slow heart rate".
I filed a claim for Pulmonary Hypertension secondary to IHD/CAD only to be
denied by the VA, reasons being “We did not find a link between Pulmonary
Hypertension associated with coronary artery disease and military service and
The evidence does not show that your condition resulted from, or was aggravated
by, Coronary Artery Disease”.
Due to a lack of specific information in the denial letter I had to request a
copy of my C file and it was only there that I discovered that on the C&P
exam given the examining doctor opined Ischemic Heart Disease/Coronary Artery
Disease does not cause Pulmonary Hypertension.
From what I have read on these boards it appears that I have an uphill battle,
in that the VA does not seem to look favorably on PH claims.
Needless to say I am in the process of filing an appeal for what I feel is an
incorrect rating and would be grateful to hear any and all advice from members.