bm6546

I checked E Benefits today and it is saying my claim is complete. Date closed 12-21-2012. Under Updates it says "Appeal is possible. Decision notification sent". I never received a C&P that was directed by the BVA over a year ago. I hope this doesn't mean another denial. That would really piss me off after working on this claim almost 7 years. Anyone know what this might mean.

After chatting with my cardiologist he agreed to write me a letter to submit to the VA. "Brian is being followed in my medical practice for known coronary artery disease and more recently, for treatment of Paroxysmal Supraventicular Tachycardia. Brian underwent a successful PSVT ablation at Mercy General Hospital on 10/19/12. In spite of this recent intervention, he continues to experience occasional atrial arrhythmias and palpitations, which may continue indefinately. The ongoing use of Metoprolol will be effective in decreasing these symtoms, and it is my recommendation that he continue on Metoprolol. As well, Clopidagrel (Plavix) as long term therapy for his known coronary artery disease as an antiplatelet agent is recommended." He also filled out VA form 21-0960A-1 Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) Disabilty Benefits Questionnaire 1A. Does the veteran have Ischemic Heart Disease Yes 1B Diagnosis LXMI ICD code 412 1C CAD native vessel ICD code 414 1D PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) ICD code V45-82 2A Does the veteran's treatment plan include taking continuous medication for the diagnosed condition Yes List medications prescribed for IHD related conditions Clopidogrel, Metoprolol, Simvastatin 3A Does the veteran have CHF No 4A Has a diagnostic exercise test been conducted Yes 2/3/2012 12.5 Mets 5c Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) if known 65% I also had my EP doctor who is also a cardiologist fill out the same form and sign it. He also checked the box that I have Ischemic Heart Disease. Diagnosis SVT ICD code 427.0 CAD ICD code 414.0 He also indicated that I need to take continuous medication. He never checked the METS box. I could not get him to write a letter for me. I am hoping some of the Hadit people that have heart issues may be able to help me figure this one out and let me know if this will help me finally win my claim with the VA. Please let me know if anyone has any questions. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks, Brian

Thanks for the info. The only thing I am worried about is the VA might say, "well, you had a catheter heart ablation so you must be cured now". Don't trust them from what experience I have had with them for the last 6 years. Seems like just one slip of the wrong word mentioned or something they see on a document seems to give them the slightest reason to deny your claim. I am going to submit my paperwork and hope for the best. At least the procedure will actually show them that I still have this diagnosis and I am being treated for it. The ablation was a partial success but did not cure me at all. My cardiologist told me that I will probably have this condition for the rest of my life. And I will probably need to take beta blockers for the rest of my life. Guess it could be a lot worse. At least I am still upright.

I have also heard people say wait for a decision before submitting new material. And then I have heard several people say get your new material in ASAP. I never know which is the correct way. My original claim was submitted in June 2006. It went to the BVA and am currently waiting for an appealed decision that was remanded by the BVA. My RO is the infamous Oakland RO. I was awarded 10% back in 1967 and they took it away 1 year later. My claim is for PAT (Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia) which has been rediagnosed as PSVT.

4 weeks ago I had a heart ablation for my PSVT (Paroxysmal Supraventicular Tachycardia). Although it was a partial sucess, I am still having some tachycardia and arrhythmias. Nevertheless, I am feeling better. I am still recovering from the heart ablation. The EP doctor told me that I still have the PSVT and will probably have it for the rest of my life. He also told me I would probably have to take continuous medication for the rest of my life. My question is, will this help or hurt my current claim with the VA? I am trying to get back the 10% that the VA took away from me many years ago. Should I submit the records for my heart ablation to the VA or just wait until I get a decision? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, Brian

Pete53, Not sure what "buno your rating" means. Thanks for the good luck. Brian

Yes, I am SC for PAT which has been changed to Supraventicular Arrhythmias. And yes, I have been SC for approx 46 years. There was no fraud involved when I was diagnosed and service connected. The reason I am disatisfied is because the VA assigned a 10% rating back in 1966 and then took it away from me after 1 year. The C&P rater said I didn't have the PAT anymore and I was fine now. Well, I still have it and its getting worse over the years. I believe a 10% rating is required mainly because of the need for "continuous medication". The VA cardiologist prescribed medication for my PAT in 2008 and it helped a little bit. Now my private cardiologist is sending me for a EP study to see what they can do to help me. My claim was denied 3 times by the RO in Oakland over the past 6 years and was then sent to the BVA. The BVA remanded it back to the RO 1 year ago. I am waiting for a new C&P.

I was diagnosed with PAT while I was in the Navy. That was back in 1966 and they discharged me and gave me 10% for 1 year and then took it away from me. I am trying to get my 10% reinstated.

Sorry, it should say "defibrillator"

I am scheduled to go into the hospital on Oct 19. I will be having an EP study on my heart arrhythmias and Tachycardia. Depending on what they find they will either do an ablation or an (AICD) Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defrillator. If they cure my tachycardia with the ablation then that would be great and I will be very happy. If the ablation doesn't work then they will implant the AICD. I am currently SC at 0% for (SVT) Supraventicular Tachycardia and (PAT) Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia. The cardiologist thinks I may either have the SVT or (VT) Ventricular Tachycardia. The EP study will determine what exactly I have and the necessary treatment. One thing that the cardiologist mentioned to me was that whatever condition I have that it "may" be a congenital condition that I have had since birth. The question I have is, what will this mean with the VA as far as my SC claim is concerned? Could this be a certain denial because they will say I was born with this heart condition, therefore I am not eligible for disability? I have been SC for this PSVT for approx. 45 years. My current claim is in the appeal process and is going nowhere fast. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Brian

Thanks broncovet

That is what I am finding out. I just want to make sure I am correct before I try to put in a new claim. I realize the VA may or will try to say that this is a pre existing condition. Even though they gave me SC for this 46 years ago and have been treating my condition with medication.

Testvet, I appreciate your candor. I realize this might be a long shot and it could go either way. I have a claim in with the RO that is a BVA remand. My claim is for the fact that they originally gave me 10% back in 1967 and then took it away 1 year later. I have been fighting them for a long time to get my 10% restored. I am with the Oakland RO but it has been moved to the Salt Lake City RO.

thanks jvretiredvet, I have read on this forum before that because someone is SC for a particular disability for over 10 years that you are SC forever and they can't take that away from you. The VA has been treating me for several years for my PAT and PSVT. They prescribed medication for me and do not charge me for it because it is for my SC condition. They charge me for all the other medication that I take. I will be seeing the cardiologist this Wed and have a list of questions for him. I will find out if he will specifically be mentioning my PAT or PSVT or CAD in his report for the exact reason for the possible impending AICD.

I may be having an AICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) procedure done. I see the cardiologist on Wed the 26th. He will tell me then if I need this procedure. The AICD is for my Supraventicular Arrythmias that I am currently SC for. My question, will the VA try to say that it is for a pre existing condition that I had before I enterered into the service. Or does the fact that I have been SC with this condition for the last 46 years mean that the VA will not try to use that to deny me.

Hey Hoppy, Nice of you to chime in. My heart arrythmias have been getting worse over the past few months. I have been wearing a heart monitor for the last 3 weeks. I have had at least 2 very significant arrythmia events while wearing the monitor. My local cardiologist referred me to a cardiologist in Sacramento that specializes in the AICD implant for my arrythmias. My local cardiologist says I am a perfect candidate for the AICD. Scares the hell out of me. I have an appointment this Wed the 26th to go for my consultation. I am SC for PAT and PSVT. Before I entered the service I was never seen or treated by any doctors for my PAT and there are no records that I was treated for my SC condition. I didn't even know I had this heart problem until the Navy doctors diagnosed me with the condition.

I have been SC at 0% for my PSVT (Paroxysmal Supraventicular Tachycardia) for over 46 years. I may be having a medical procedure in the near future that would be rated at 100% SC. My question is, on my DD214 it states that the reason for discharge is "Medical disqualifications existing prior to entry on active duty". Character of service "Honorable". I was in the Navy for 2 years. I have never had a problem with this and nobody has ever mentioned this to me before. Does the fact that I have been SC for over 46 years mean that the VA can't or won't deny my claim? From what I have read the VA will look for any reason to deny a claim and I want to make sure that doesn't happen. Thanks in advance for any help. Brian

Whre do you find Benefit Explorer? Is that on E Benefits somewhere?

I had to go to a benefits office in the city near my home. They will add you to the E Benefits site. If you live near your RO, they will sign you up there also. Hope this helps and good luck.

It was a hassle getting on E-Benefits so I will guard my passwords very carefully. I can see where E-Benefits will be a big help...if they keep the info updated.

Yesterday I went to the local Benefits office in the city close to where I live. Waited a couple of hours and they signed me up for E-Benefits. Now I'm a happy camper. Came home and tried to log in to E Benefits and the site was down for several hours, much to my disapointment. Logged in this morning with no problem and am now feeling my way around the site. Also something very interesting I learned while at this office. This VA Benefits office is a satellite office for the RO. They do everything here but rate claims. They were very helpful to me and told me I can bring any new materials or evidence that I want to submit and they would deliver it to the RO. The VA employees that I talked with were very nice and also very helpful. I will be using this office again, thats for sure. Thought I would post this if it helps someone else. Brian

Thanks for all the replies. After hearing from several people that are SC at 0% , like me, that are signed up for E-benefits, I called back to the E-Benefits number and got a different person. They gave me the address of a VA Benefits office in the city that I live close to. The guy told me that all I need is 2 forms of ID and they would be happy to sign me up. Just goes to show you that you will get a different response from each different person you talk to. Of course, I could ask the ridiculous question.....why didn't the first person I talked to tell me this the first time. And of course, I have to tell myself that they are VA employees....nuff said.

I am assuming you are also 0% because it doesn't show any percentage by your avatar. The RO signed you up for E-Benefits and you are able to access the site...is this correct?

I do have a myhealthyvets account. I order my prescriptions on line through them. I signed up for E-benefits a couple months ago and they gave me a Level 1 sign up password. But I can't access it and the message says something like " not authorized to access this web site". I've called E-benefits several times and they tell me I can't access the site because I have to be a Level 2 and can't get a Level 2 because you have to be at least 10% SC to get an account. I don't live very close to the RO and it would be dificult for me to get there. Sounds to me to be the typical VA BS.

I have talked to the people at E-Benefits and they tell me I can't sign up for E-Benefits because I don't receive any compensation. I am at 0% SC. I thought I saw a post from someone that was on E-Benefits and they were 0%. They tell me when I receive at least 10% they will be happy to sign me up.