As of June, my husband received a packet from the VA with his disabilities now reading:
coronary artery disease and bypass graft surgery times three 100% Service Connected
Agent Orange - Vietnam
02/04/2016
pulmonary hypertension
10% Service Connected 02/04/2016
scar(s) status post coronary artery bypass surgery
0% Service Connected 09/30/2015
bilateral hearing loss 0% Service Connected 09/29/2011
prostatitis Not Service Connected
posttraumatic stress disorder 50% Service Connected
PTSD
PTSD - Combat
12/05/2007
erectile dysfunction
0% Service Connected 04/11/2013
tinnitus 10% Service Connected 09/29/2011
It also showed that a second claim had been filed (not by us) for pulmonary hypertension.
Yesterday we received the following Award Amount & Payment Start Date: $3518.97, March 1, 2016, Compensation Rating Adjustment, Special Monthly Compensation Adjustment. It states that "a clear and unmistakable error is found in the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension and an increased evaluation of 100% is established from February 5, 2016. We assigned a permanent 100% disability evaluation for your service connected disability effective February 5, 2016. No examination will be scheduled in the future for your permanent and total disability/disabilities. Your overall or combined rating is 100%." This sounds good but where does that leave the heart condition that was rated 100% in June - at that time, it was not considered a permanent rating with the possibility of another examination in September. I guess my question is whether the hypertension rating will stay permanent even if they change the decision on his heart. Confusing? I'm sorry but we're not sure if we can now rely on the assigned monthly payment. If so, my husband is a very blessed person.