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joevet

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About joevet

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  1. As I have stated, the VSO had already filed under 'Heart Disease'. Filing for all three of these heart conditions instead of simply filing Heart Disease would still leave it to the VA to assign a compensation rating of their choosing which would be the one paying the less compensation. The veteran, or a VSO that knew what he/she was doing, would have filed under PCI even though all three were listed on the medical report. This would have prevented the VA from screwing the veteran. No one has said, or even implied, that a veteran should file for what he thinks he has, but file using the medical diagnosis as provided by the doctor using the specific diagnosis that would be the most beneficial to the veteran. You should never file several ailments under a broad medical heading such as 'Heart Disease' or 'Mental Disorder' and leave it to the VA to choose the ailment for compensation. The veteran will get screwed every time.
  2. This is exactly what I was talking about! Never give the VA an opportunity to screw you because they will not pass up that chance. The VSO filed simply 'Heart Disease' for me when I first had my heart problems. The doctor statement listed three aliments: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, Coronary artery disease (CAD) and Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) angioplasty with two stents. The first two heart conditions have a compensation rating of 60% and the PCI has a 100% compensation rating for a minimum of three months. Give you one guess which heart aliment our friends at the VA assigned me for my compensation rating. Of course, if you have ever had any dealing with the crooks at the VA, you know without a doubt they used CAD so as to screw me out of at least three months of the higher compensation. Again, never leave it up to the VA to determine what your diagnosis should be. You have the obligation when filing to be very specific as much as possible, using your doctor statement, to file using the proper Code otherwise I guarantee you that the VA will screw you every time. You can't count on some one else to look out for your best interest. That is your responsibility. You can play dumb if you wish, but you will pay the penalty.
  3. The bad thing about the VA is you have to file for whatever ailment that you have and not leave it to them to read the medical report and decide in your best interest. You can have a dozen doctor statement all with specific information about your worst medical condition, but if you don't file directly for that condition the VA will not consider it for disability. Don't made the mistake that the VA is on your side and working on your behalf. They will screw a veteran on every chance available. One must know, or try to find someone who does actually know which is very difficult, how to file correctly. For example you can have conditions under Code 7005 and 7017 but they are different. Disability under 7017 will pay 100% for three months at least to start while 7005 will not. If a veteran does not file under a particular Code, the VA will always choose 7005 to beat the veteran out of the three months of 100% compensation. Never leave it up to the VA to make decisions for you unless you want a good screwing.
  4. Does the VA consider Code 7005 Ischemic heart disease, Arteriosclerotic heart disease, Atherosclerotic heart disease, or Coronary artery disease (CAD) and Analogous Code 7099-7017 coronary bypass surgery as Pyramiding? Conditions that are not in the VASRD are rated “analogously” with a condition that is in the VASRD. “Analogous” in this case means the condition that is closest to the overall condition, that best describes the main symptoms, or that has the same treatments. When rating a condition on an analogous code, the final code will most commonly look like this: 8099-8003. The first four-digits tells us that this condition is rated analogously. The second four-digits is the code the condition is rated on. To determine the first four-digits, take the first two digits of the second code and add 99 to the end. 8003 = 80__, and then just add 99 = 8099. Then add the second code to it with a hyphen between: 8099-8003 A coronary artery stent is a tube that is surgically placed in the arteries of the heart to keep them from collapsing. It is Analogously rated under code 7017, coronary bypass surgery as 7099-7017.
  5. Thanks jbasser. I don't mind hypertension being rated as zero as long as it is considered SC. There are several other ailments that are linked to hypertension.
  6. Buck, after thinking about it, I maybe in the predicament of which came first: the chicken or the egg. I have had hypertension for twenty years but the CAD for only three years officially. The VA has my medical records showing hypertension several years before the start of medication from both medical doctors and the hospital. It might be impossible to prove CAD caused the hypertension. Perhaps contributed to making it worst.
  7. The reason for denials were not having a medical record of having HTN, etc... in the military. Yea, I have been approved for 60% based on CAD. But I have not thought of filing for HTN as SC to CAD. Have not been able yet to get a medical doctor to provide an IMO/IME stating HTN is a SC to diabetes.
  8. I have not been refused compensation for diabetes and CAD. I have been denied benefits for hypertension, glaucoma and cataracts as secondary to diabetes. They said I had no record of having these ailments while in the military service. I seriously doubt if any young, healthy twenty year old in service would have such a record.
  9. Thanks Buck! Your comments were very helpful. Hey, I like good ole traditional country music, too.
  10. I have not had any earned income since I retired in 2015. I have pension income from my former employer, social security and VA benefits. I would not qualify for applying for Expediting under the above criteria. As far as the question concerning "any and all" types of work, I don't know. I will do some Internet research on the IU requirements. The "any and all" sounds a lot like the Social Security disability requirement of total disability.
  11. My local doctor did one EKG after my heart stents but nothing since by either them or the VA. I only go once a year to see the local doctor. They have me on a strict low fat, no red meat diet. They said I have some small heart arteries blocked but they are too small for stents. I have never discussed my VA report with the local doctor. I don't know if they agree with the decision of the VA doctor. My local doctor used to work with the VA.
  12. Again, thanks Gastone for your input. Sorry to say, but I don't follow what CAD, Sa, DX, FDC, means. I don't fully understand the IU. Is this based on age? Where can I find the IU Award Requirements so I can read it? I have just recently started trying to learn about all this VA filing and how to proceed. I have relied too much on the local VSO to handle my claim. All of this has been my fault by not being more proactive. I started medication for diabetes in 1997 but I didn't file for VA benefits until 2003. I filed only for diabetes but the VA denied hypertension as a secondary after reviewing my medical record. Why would they deny something I didn't even apply for? They must know that hypertension can be a secondary to diabetes to jump the gun and deny it. I didn't think anything about it. Didn't file an appeal or anything. When I had my heart problem, I went to the local VSO after another veteran told me I should file. The VSO filed for my heart and hypertension, glaucoma and cataracts. The VA denied everything except the heart. Their denial was based on that I had never complained about or had these ailment while in the military. The VSO never advised that I should get an IMO or anything else. Just left me hanging. I am glad I found this Internet site where you guys have already been through this jungle and can provide some assistance.
  13. Gastone, I have not heard a word from the guy that works in the Nashville VA office. He was not a VSO but an employee of the Nashville VA office. Yes, I am 74 and retired with no actual earned income. I am not familiar with filing an IU claim. What is this and what are the benefits/purpose? The main secondary claim I was wanting is hypertension because there are several other potential SC's that might become a factor in the future due to hypertension. One of those is sleep apnea which I have. See these two reports concerning diabetes and hypertension affecting sleep apnea. http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=3935 and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799991/pdf/nihms-162897.pdf I have not file for sleep apnea waiting for approval of hypertension as a SC. As I have said, I have been very passive about filing for and following through with VA claims. I have had ptosis of both eye lids before entering service. Several doctors have recommend surgery. I didn't know until I started checking into my current VA claims that ptosis is covered under the VA claims. I agree that none of these SC conditions would rate over 10%. I am at 90% now but receiving compensation at 70% based on the weird system the VA uses. Any advice or information you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks.
  14. Berta and Broncovet thanks for your reply and information. I have contacted seven local doctors and none of them will do an IME or IMO. They probably are not familiar with these types of reports/examinations or they don't want to get involved with the VA. I don't know of any local doctors that will do this and I have searched on the Internet. Dr. Bash and Dr./Attorney Anise came up as people who will file an IMO. I have contacted Dr. Bash using the form on his Internet site today. Of course I have not heard from him yet. I realize his fee is expensive but it appears I have no choice since I can't find a local doctor. I am hoping Dr. Bash at least will advise if he thinks I have a chance of being successful in obtaining approval before he accepts my case for the money only knowing I have little opportunity of winning. It is disheartening to hear the VA do not regard his opinions very highly. It is a shame a veteran has to be put through this type of hassle and expense to get approval for VA benefits.
  15. Major problem! How does one get an IMO on a secondary disease? I have contacted three Ophthalmologists and four medical doctors requesting an examination and a letter/statement reporting, in their professional opinion, that my hypertension, glaucoma and cataracts could be "as likely as not" secondary ailments caused by my mellitus diabetes Type 2. None of them are willing to make such a statement including my long time PCP. I have three questions I hope someone can answer. (1) Is it a normal and acceptable proven medical fact that diabetes can cause these secondary aliments? Where is the evidence/medical research?; (2) Is it factual, and does anyone actually know for sure, that the VA will accept an IMO statement and approve these ailments as secondary? Is there anyone on this forum that has been successful filing such claims?; (3) And perhaps the most important question, where in the hell does one find a medical professional who will provide a IMO? If you know of a doctor that will provide such a statement, what is his/her name and contact information? Thanks to anyone who can provide real answers to the above three questions. I don't want to discuss generalization but actual proven factual information.
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