Swabbie

Here is some additional information if needed. http://www.va.gov/health/aca/

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.

Hello All; Newbie here and thought I would share my experience regarding Pulmonary Hypertension (Secondary). I am rated 60% IHD/CAD, 20% DMII, 10% Peripheral Neuropathy each extremity and 10% for Tinnitus. 80% overall, 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/catherizations which indicated 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 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, 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. 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. Captain C/Admins/Moderators I did not intend to hijack this thread and if you feel it would be better served in another area feel free to move. Swabbie