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allanE

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About allanE

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  • Service Connected Disability
    IHD

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  1. 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?
  2. Again, thanks for your reply. It's funny that you mentioned the "little green card".....just the other day, after failing to get my claim status from ebenefits many times, I called the 800 number and they called me back (pretty amazing). The young man I talked to was very nice and pulled up my file. He said from what he could tell, they are still waiting for my military records. I called the records center and asked for my military records way back when I first initiated the claim and got them pretty quick - I couldn't believe the VA was still waiting. SO.....I immediately took copies, put the file number on each page, typed a short cover letter and faxed the whole file to a fax number that he gave me, and then the next day I took the whole package to the Post Office and sent them" return receipt requested". I got the green card back two days later and did exactly what you mentioned.....I stapled it to the cover letter and the copies. At this point, I think I'm just going to ignore the AL, just as they have done to me. In a week or two I will call the 800 number again to make sure they got the package I sent. The only thing the American Legion has done for me so far is assist in filling out the original claim and sending in my DD214. I will see this through myself now and If they deny my claim, and I need to file an appeal, I will find an attorney. Do you have any idea what the problem is with ebenefits? I know they scheduled down time over this past weekend so I assumed it was to fix the problems, but checking again today, it still says "open claims unavailable at this time". Is this common or what? Thanks for all your information and help. Allan
  3. Thanks for your reply. This is a claim for IHD due to AO and is my first and only claim. I have been getting all my medical care from the VA since 2003, so my primary Dr is a VA doctor and she is the one who completed the Ischemic Heart Disability Quentionnaire. Wouldn't that eliminate the need for a C&P exam since it was done by the VA? or is still possible that they will want a C&P exam? Got a question for you.......I initiated this claim with the help of the American Legion (DSO located in the VA hospital). I thought I was going to the DAV and just went to the first open door in this department and soon discovered that I was at the American Legion. On the first day I didn't have my DD214, so I had to bring it back. The next day I called to let him know I would be bringing it in today and they said he was out sick and I should take it to the Regional Office (which I did). The VSO I spoke to that day was very nice, BUT.....ever since that day, I cannot contact them at all. I have sent a couple e-mails and called three times and left messages (no one ever answers to phone). I just have a few questions and would never bug them (cause I know how long these claims take), but they will not call me back. I just want to make sure that they have everything they need from me (if so, then I'll just wait like everybody else). Since my claim has been filed and is pretty basic (only one disease) do you think I need the American Legion? I signed up for ebenefits so I could get the status of my claim, but that part of ebenefits always says the same thing - not available at this time. I signed an agreement with the American Legion, but I'm pretty sure I can "fire" them, right? Do you have any idea how I would go about that? Thanks for your help. Allan
  4. I'm looking for clarification of CFR 38, 4,104 (7005) Coronary (Ischemic) Heart Disease. It reads "More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year, or; workload of greater then 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to 50 percent." I didn't have more than one episode of congestive heart failure this year (but did have one), and my LVEF is not 30 to 50% - it's 60%. On the Ischemic Heart Disease Questionnaire, my Primary Care (VA) Doctor checked 3.5 METS. So the only thing for me that this reg fits is the 3.5 METS. Does that mean I will get the disability rating of 60% I was "boots on the ground" from 1966 to 1967 in Corp III. I have had ischemic heart disease since 1992. Had two heart attacks - angioplasty once and one stent. I still take medicine to control this disease. And yes there is evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation. This is my first claim and I have no idea how it all works. This site is the only help I seem to get. I asked for help from the American Legion, but I think that was a mistake. After several e-mails and phone calls I still haven't heard from them and this all started back in August. Since this is a pretty cut and dry claim (and my only one), and not complicated, how long do you think it will take to settle?
  5. allanE

    Rating For Ihd

    the IHC disability benefits questionnaire was completed by my primary VA doctor...... they have my original DD214 which proves "boots on the ground"....... you say 800,000 claims - are they all processed at one office? I filed my claim in St. Louis, Mo and they only take care of claims in the state of Missouri - the 800,000 must be nation wide. if approved, how do you think it will be rated? From what I've read, it should be 30% What do you think? IHD - YES; CHF - YES (not chronic); 3-5 METs; evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation - YES; LVEF-60%. With this information, do you think it will be rated at 30%.
  6. allanE

    Rating For Ihd

    you said "they should award you SC but one cannot say when" - what is SC?
  7. allanE

    Rating For Ihd

    Filed first time ever claim for IHD on August 2, 2011. The only paperwork on this claim so far is the original claim form (filled out for me by the American Legion rep) and the Ischemic Heart Disease Disability Benefits Questionnaire (filled out by my primary VA Doctor). I'm wondering how you think it will be rated. The doctor answered "yes" to does the Veteran have IHD. She answered "yes" to does the Veteran have congestive heart failure.....but "no" to chronic. I only had one CHF back in February of this year. She checked 3-5 METs and checked "yes" to Is there evidence of cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation. My LVEF is 60%. From everything I've read it looks like it may be rated at 30%. Also, since this is a pretty cut and dry claim do you think I will have to get another physical exam by C&P. Also, I read somewhere that if the disease began before Aug 31, 2010 and you file before Aug 31, 2011, the payments will be retroactive to Aug 31, 2010 added to the months since you've filed. Is that correct? Also, how long do you think this whole process will take.
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