vetswifeIndy

Hello All, I am posting this for a dear friend of mine her husband was a Viet Nam vet also. He passed away a couple of months ago due to CHF and coronary artery disease. They had never filed a claim for this, ( they didn't know they could) but did have a 10% award for diabetes. Now that he is deceased, can she file a claim for his heart disease? Also how does she go about recieving widow benefits.? Thank you so much for your service. Vetswife

Thanks J, appreciate all your time and help here. Vetswife

I was reading through my husband's medical records,( I should say his 100% SC is for IHD). In his records we saw they also had Cardiomyopathy listed. We are wondering if we should file a claim listing this disease also, if seperate from IHD. We pray he will be with us a long time more but have heard if cause of death is not from a SC disease the widow gets nothing. He wants to make sure all the bases are covered. Thank you, Vetswife

Although I don't know you I am very saddened by your loss. May God wrap you in his comforting arms to help you cope at this time. Vetswife

TBird, I was reading back through these old post and noticed you had said, "my husband would be eligible for $10,000 life insurance since he is 100%SC. Does this apply only if he had the insurance prior to being rated 100%? His claim of 100% went through so fast we didn't have time to apply for the insurance. Within one week he went from a decision of 60% to 100%. Vetswife

My husband filed claims for PTSD, tinnitus, and hearing loss in Oct. 2010. He finally had C&P exams done in May. His claim on EBene went from gathering evidence to rating phase and is now back in gathering evidence, and it's been 23 mos. Hang in there it will happen sooner or later. His 100% SC is IHD filed on FastTrack, but should still be compensated for the others. Good Luck!

Great of you to help out a fellow vet! Just goes to show if you hang in there it will eventually pay off. Thanks so much to you guys for your willing service to this country. Vetswife

Thanks for your reply Chuck75. It's been diffiuclt enough for my husband dealing on his own with PTSD then add the stress of the heart issues it's sort of disheartening, (no pun intended). Next cardio visit he will have to discuss this with the Doc

My husband has IHD, CHF disease with a pacemaker/defibrillator. He also suffers with PTSD. For several yrs, he was on Citalopram, the Dr. took him off that after suspecting his Afib could have been caused due to this med. It has been 9 mos, since taking Citalopram which was a difficult time. He was recently put on a small dose of Mirtazapine which has helped little with his irritability and anger. I'm hoping to find someone that has the same diagonosis (heart, & ptsd) that has found a safe antidepressant to take. Thanks so much, Vetswife

Hi, after my husband received his award letter it enabled us to purchase a much needed vechicle. We bought a 2012 Kia, while finalizing our purchase we happen to ask, "is there a discount for military service connected disablility"? Much to our surprise there was, $500.00 in fact. Vetswife

I tried to log on tonight and had the same problem. My thoughts are they are doing some tweaking and it's down.

I'm happy to post that my husband's recent 60% rating for IHD was increased to 100% following the C&P exam. Our VSO said, the C&P exam immediately following a "clear evidence" rating of 60% was a first for him. It worked in our favor since the AICD implant wasn't implanted until after the claim was filed. Along with the 100% was also declared P&T, so hopefully this means no C&P exams. Good Luck to each and everyone of you contending for what you so rightfully deserve, and thank you for your service! Vetswife

Hello to all, I am very happy to report my husband received his increase from 60% to 100% P&T for IHD and AICD implant. I truly believe the C&P Doc had a favorable report concerning this. You that are still struggling to get your claims approved and or increased hang in there, it will come through. Good luck to you all. Vetswife

Just wondering why no doctor appt by the VA????? My husband filed for IHD 10 mos. ago by Fast Track (which is a laugh). He received a rating 2 wks. ago of 60% A few days later we got a call from a private contracted Dr. for a C&P examine, ordered EKG, Echo, and X-rays. I was perplexed at the rating coming before the exam. Seems like from several post here that is becoming the norm. Leave it to them to do things backward. Hope our exam comes out as good, if not better than the original rating.

I want to thank you all for the guidance and encouragement it does get nerve racking waiting for the answer to your claim. We picked up my husband's medical records today from his last stay in VA hosp. last month, when the ICD was implanted. On the diagnosis page of one of the reports from the Cardiologist it listed CAD, under that it said, secondary: AFib, CHF. I would guess this to mean they are linking the Afib and CHF to the CAD? Looking for opinions.

Hi, I'm new to the forum and not sure how it works. My husband was recently awarded 60% for his IHD. In the last 4 mos. his condition has worsened and he now has a pacemaker/ defrillator due to atrial fibrilliation and congestive heart failure With recommendation from his doctors for home oxygen.(not yet approved by board) My question is: just this week he received appt. dates for medical evaluation for his IHD. Should we file claims for the AF and CHF or will the doctor contracted by VA to do the evaluating include the new issues in his report? I've read many post here, and we are afraid they may try to reduce his 60% rating to much less. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks so much.