stillhere

I called the VA office to let them know I wanted to ffile for an increase because of my heart surgery on the 2nd of April. They told me then that they would send me the paper work in 60 days. I thought that was bull! So I emailed them and they answered me back in the email was this a new claim or was this the same as the April 2nd claim and if so they would pass this info along. Maybe I should not try and rush this but have you ever heard them say wait 60 days we will be sending you paper work and then you file for an increase? Just a thought.

Berta, Your statement below is very interesting I went back and checked in one of my denied SOC the Va refers that "However the evidence shows a diagnosis of hyperlipidemia only" as ther is no evidence of a current heart condition secondary to DB2, service connection is denied. This from a SOC in 2004 again explaining why they were dening a heart condition at that time. I tried again in August of 05 and was asked for any new evidence in Sept. 05 which I had none so I did not answer them but when I had my heart attack in Oct. 05 I had new evidence, so I sent that. They made a decision on my calim again dening and only after I appealed and sent the records of the hospital surgery and a letter from my cardio doc did they finally grant heart disease "mycardial fraction" BUT only back to the date of my attack not back to the date I orginally filed this claim of August 05 but I still feel my EED should be back further. Please let me know how you all thing I should proceed with this. Also one other thing if I had died my wife would not have had the knowledge on how to claim for my death like you are doing for Rod I wish you all the best in yours!

Wow that is scarey!!

Berta, Glad you picked up on that and is my point exactly. They denied 3 times heart disease and any rating for heart disease until I had my heart attack! Then they gave me 100% for 3 months and 60% since after my first operation. Now that I have had another operation I assume they will make it another 100% and then back to 60% after recovery so to speak. I just don't see how they could deny, deny, deny and then bam! Oh and by the way I am rated 0 but sc for Hpertension GO figure!

John999, My family doctor first diagnosed DB2 in 2001 I did not know about the presumed untill an legion newsletter in 2003 I applied for DB2 and heart disease as chest pains at that time and during the exam they came up with the PN. I had not even noticed that but I really do now. Anyhow when I go back to my cardio doctor in May I am going to ask if he will write something for me an file for the EED of 2003 and see what they say. Unless my cardio doctor advises otherwise, I just have a hard time swallowing that this just came up in Oct. 05!! By the way Berta last time I was in for surgery my cardio doc asked if I was still working! Thanks,

Thank you for the reply from reading other posts I am sure you are one of the best. I am still working although I am not doing about half of what I used to. I am in sales now because of a hearing problem from Nam. But that is another story. I would like to file a nod but if I got 100% I would still like to work for a few more years. I am strictly on comission so I hade dropped quite a bit in the past 3 years. Should I try for the earlier award date for the heart disease? The VA told me to file for the rate increase for the recent surgery I was in the hospital 2 days and told no driving for a couple of days and then take it easy. Thanks

I am rated 60%heart disease / 20% DBII / 10% NP left / 10% NP right I am being compensated at 70% VA Math. Recently had another blockage issue in the heart and another stent implanted doc said limit duty next month and come back and see him for evaluation. Called the VA for advise as to rate increase they said would send paper work in 60 days and then file. My questions are should I file for this rate increae or go with a NOD from my last award in Feb. 07 If I go with NOD (Sept.06 one year from that date)I was thinking of asking for a different award date. They only added the heart disease after I had a heart attack in Oct. 05 although I had complained of heart pain on my first claim in 03 and it was denied. I then reapplied in August of 06 and they again denied heart only after I had my heart attack in 05 did they finally allow the heart issue as secondary to DB2. I feel it is obvious that something caused my heart issue and it was there long before Oct. 05 but all the test they where running stress, cardio and such showed nothing. Is this a CUE? Anyhow all help would be appreciated on this matter. I have the feeling things are going down hill very quick and don't know how much more I can battle with them before I have another heart attack.

Hello all hope I am doing this right. I have read many post on this board and it has been very helpful for me in my claims. A little back ground, 2004 I was diagnozed with diabetes 2 and it has been going downhill real fast since then. I was awarded 20 for Diabetes and 10% each foot for Neoraphy, but denied heart disease. I had chest pain and fatigue and dizziness. Total award was 40% In 2005 I had a heart attack and was awarded 70% with 100% for 3 months, during the heart attack I had emergency angioplasty with a stent insertion and limited activity after for 3-4 weeks. Recently lets say Sept/Oct 06 I started having chest pains and sleepless nights. Having to pop nitro on occasion. Went to my cardio (private doctor) and had ekg and cardio and he scheduled me for a cardio cath, during the cardio cath I was treated with another stent in another artery with a blockage of 95%. My question is should I put in for another rate increase to 100% and if any of you have had this happen? Before the Diabetes was detected I rarely even took a tylenol and now I have a whole draw full of pills and I don't think my future is to bright with this disease. "WELCOME HOME"