I filed my first (any only) claim for IHD back in August 2011 and got a 10% "preliminary finding of entitlement" on January 2012. They said I would receive a final decision at a later date. My 10% was retro active to August 2010. I'm still hoping for 30% if not 60%. In the decision, one paragraph reads, "An evaluation of 30 percent is assigned based on the need for continuous medication, a normal left ventricular ejection fraction and evidence of cardiac dilatation." That's me! The next paragraph reads, "An evaluation of 30 percent is assigned if there is a workload greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs resulting in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or x-ray. That's also me! The next paragraph reads, "A higher evaluation of 60 percent is not warranted unless there is more than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year; or workload greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs resulting in dyspena, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope; or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent.
My primary doctor since 2003 has been a VA doctor and she is the one who completed the original disability compensation questionnaire. On the questionnaire she checked 3-5 METs and checked yes on "is there evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation" I only had one episode of congestive heart failure in the past year, and my ejection fraction is 55%. So the only part of the 60% requirement I meet is the 3-5 METs., but I also think That me too!
Now they have scheduled me for a C&P exam stating "to determine the current level of severity of your coronary artery disease, status post stent placement in isolation."
I have since filed a second claim for HTN, secondary to IHC. I had nothing to offer in evidence (other than a statement from me explaining that I've been on high blood pressure medication since 1999) so I signed the VCAA NOTICE RESPONSE and asked the VA to decide this claim as soon as possible.
QUESTION: What do you think I should expect at the C&P exam? What do you think my final rating will be? Will they assign a rating for the IHC?
Sorry to ratttle on, but you need details to give answers, right?