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KHJH

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  1. KHJH

    Need Help With Ihd Dic Claim

    No, Ischemia isn't mentioned in his autopsy report but it is listed in his medical records that I sent VA. yes, I also posted on VBN. I've spent a lot of time on VBN and Hadit researching DIC claims. Thanks for the links you posted. They will be very helpful.
  2. KHJH

    Need Help With Ihd Dic Claim

    Berta When I first filed for DIC I went through Chicago and the correspondence I got back from VA came from Milwaukee. So everything I sent in I sent to Milwaukee. I don't live close to a VARO. I'm about 5 hours south of Chicago. Yes, my husband was in Vietnam. I sent the VA his DD214, his sick call records where he was treated for malaria and his records where he was injured in a land mine explosion and was transferred to Great lakes Naval Hospital. The death certificate only list the cause of death as Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest. There is not a contributory cause of death listed. The Autopsy report List: Provisional Gross Anatomic Diagnosis: 1. Obesity 2. Generalized Atherosclerosis, Moderate 3. Cardiomegalic Heart A. Changes consistent with Acute Myocardial Infarct B. Myocardial Infarct, Posterior and Posterolateral Left Ventricle, Old 4. Lungs A. Pulmary Edema B. Congestion 5. Congestion, Gastric Mucosa 6. Cortical Cyst, Superior Pole, Right Kidney 7. Mucosal Hemorrage, Trigone, Uninary Bladder 8. Status Post Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Comment: The major pathology, morbidity, and cause of death in this patient are cardiac. The cardiomegalic heart showed an old myocardial infarct involving the posterior and posterolateral regions of the left ventricle. Although grossly, soft red areas in the same region suggested acute changes at the time of autopsy, no acute myocardial changes are noted histologically. Rather, the area of old infarction shows dilated blood vessels that grossly simulated acute changes. Examination of the bypass grafts shows arteriolization with severe luminal compromise. The left graft showed 80% compromise of the lumen, the anterior graft showed 98% compromise and the right coronary artery showed 99-100% compromise of the lumen with capillary sized areas of recanalization. the suture sites of the coronary artery bypass grafts were all intact. The lungs and adominal organs showed relatively mild pathologic changes. The pulmonary edema is attributed to a cardiogenic cause. The patient did not live long enough to show histopathelogic evidence of myocyte necrosis. The letter I recently received from VA says at the top "Important-Reply Needed" In the letter I received from VA they list what they have received. They do not list the St. Mary's hospital records in 1990 where my husband had a heart attack and quadruple bypass at the age of 42. Also they don't list the autopsy report. So I'm going to send these again. They attached forms 21-4142 " Authorization and consent to release information" for me to fill out and stated "If a private physician or facility has treated the veteran, we may be able to request these records on your behalf. You may want to obtain and send us the information yourself. Please be aware that the VA does not have funds to pay for medical records, and some physicians require a different release form. Therefore, it is to your advantage to try and obtain your medical records yourself, and forward them to us." When I sent off for the medical records from St. Mary's from when he had his quadruple bypass I had to pay for them. These are what I sent to the VA. My husband died in 2006 at the age of 58. He was 100% IU P&T but only since 2004. We knew he had to be 100% for 10 years for me to be elgible for Dic for any cause of death. He kept telling me he wouldn't live the 10 years. He just kept getting weaker and weaker. I sent off for his medical records at VA and noticed where the doctors had mentioned his pain medications he took for his SC conditions could have an affect on his kidneys. So he filed a claim about a month before he died to try and have his kidneys connected due to his pain medications. We thought that if his kidneys were connected then we would eventially be able to get his heart connected. In 2006 IHD hadn't been added to the AO list. After my husband died I had to go down and sign papers and answer questions like "Where do you want the body sent." The woman that was filling out the paperwork said "It's marked here that you don't want an autopsy." I said "No one asked me about an autopsy." Then she said "Well do you want an autopsy done." I paused for a few minutes not knowing what to do and my sister remined me that I might need one for SC. So I told her I wanted one. Then the next morning I received a phone call from the VA hospital that I never signed a paper for the autopsy. I know I signed something. Then he said he was told that I was all confused on whether I had to pay for it or not so that is why I said no at first. No one ever asked me at first and nothing was ever said about who had to pay for it. He had to get my permission over the phone for the autopsy then they mailed a paper for me to sign. My husbands autopsy was done at the VA hospital and his death certificate also came from the VA hospital. The death certificate was signed by the doctor that was treating my husband when he died. I saw my husbands SO after he passed away to get help filing for DIC. He did mention trying to get renal failure added to the death certificate. But never heard back from him. He was 2 hours away from me and was suppose to came to my town a couple times a month, but quit coming. Everytime I would call I would get an answering machine to leave a message and he would never call back. I ended up filling out the form for Dic, accrued benefits and burial allowance. I was denied accrued benefits and received $780.00 towards burial allowance. They stated "This amount is the amount allowed for a veteran whose death wasn't related to military service." About a year later I called about the DIC and was told they never received an application for DIC. So I filed a FTCA claim for his death and it was denied. Their reason for denial was "Our review revealed no evidence of any negligent or wrongful act or omission on the part of the Department of Veterans Affairs employee acting within the scope of his or her employment that caused the renal failure or cardiac event that led to Mr. Holloman's death on November 26, 2006. Moreover, the federal Tort Claims Act only applies to the acts of Government employees, not to the acts of those who are working on a contract with the Government. The physician responsible for treating Mr. Holloman worked for a contractor and was not a VA employee. Therefore, we cannot pay your claim." If I had known the doctor was a contracted doctor I could have filed a suit against him but by the time I found out the statue of limitations had run out. So, I basically gave up on trying to get DIC until about 9 months ago I read where IHD was added to the AO list. So I decided to try again for DIC due to IHD.
  3. My husband died Nov 2006 from Cardio Pulmonary Arrest. I found out about 9 months ago that IHD was made presumptive to Agent Orange so I filed a claim for DIC. I received a letter from VA that states "We need additional evidence from you" During the veterans Lifetime, service connection was established for post traumatic stress disorder, chronic lumbar strain with painful left hip, and chondromalacia left knee. Service connection was not considered for Cardio Pulmonary Arrest. In order to support your claim, you need to submit evidence that shows a disability was incurred or aggravated during service and was the primary or contributory cause of death. We will request medical records from any VA facility that treated the veteran. If a private physician or facility has treated the veteran, we may be able to request these records on your behalf. I sent the VA Medical Records from St. Mary's Hospital in 1990 where my husband had a heart attack a quadruple bypass. His diagnosis was: Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease with Angina. His EKG report states: Consider Lateral Ischemia. The VA doesn't acknowledge these records in their list of what they have received. I also sent them Medical Records From the VA Hospital EKG report on 5-23-2003 states: Consider Lateral Ischemia EKG Report on 10-29-2004 states: Consider anterolateral ischemia EKG report on 5-23-2005 states: Consider anterior ischemia EKG Report on 3-13-2006 states: abnormal ECG EKG Report on 10-18-2006 states: Inferior infarct 2006 ? VA medical reports 10-2-2001 : Ischemic Heart Disease, CAD/CHF, Angina VA medical reports 12-2-2003 : Ischemic Heart Disease, CAD/CHF VA medical records 4-18-2006 : Congestive heart Failure, Angina Coronary Artherosclerosis, coronary bypass VA medical records 10-23-2006: CAD/CHF VA medical records 11-5-2006: CAD VA Medical records From the ER and hospital stay on the day he died. Death certificate stating cause of death as Cardio Pulmonary Arrest VA Hospital Autopsy Report Then the letter states: We may consider that the veteran's cardio pulmonary arrest is associated with dioxin exposure if you send us scientific or medical evidence showing that the veteran's claimed condition is medically associated with dioxin exposures. If a doctor expressed an opinion regarding the relationship of the veteran's condition to dioxin exposure, send us that opinion, the reasons and bases for that opinion, and the clinical treatment records. In addition, the doctor should provide literature that supports the opinion. Literature may consist of scientific or medical journal articles, etc., that supports the doctor's opinion that the veteran's exposure was related to the veterans diagnosed condition. I don' know who to contact for a medical opinion and don't think I have enough time. I have until June 14th to send in additional information. Also stated in the VA Letter (which really upset me) Evidence of record indicates that you and the veteran did not live together continuously. Therefore we need statements from you and two other persons, with the following: All dates and places where you and the veteran lived during any period of separation prior to the veteran's death. Include a statement explaining why each separation occurred. If there was a written agreement or court order of separation, please send up a copy. A statement if whether or not you and the veteran intended to again live together. Any attempts you or the veteran made to resolve or settle your problems The amounts and dates of the veteran's contribution to your support during each separation. Did you or the veteran ever apply for divorce or annulment? If so, give the date and results of the court action and furnish a copy of the divorce decree, if any. Not sure where this came from. My husband and I were married for 30 years and were never separated. We lived in the same household for 30 years. Not sure what to do now. I sure would appreciate any advice
  4. Do I get to keep the ChampVA after my husbands death. He was 80% IU P&T. Did he have to live the 10 years or his death be service connected before I get to keep the ChampVA. Kathy
  5. My husband died on Nov 26th. The check he received on Dec 1st was returned to VA. I was told there is a form I need to fill out to be able to keep the check. What form is it. I called the 800 number and was told I needed to fill out the Pension form. Is that correct. Thanks Kathy
  6. Berta After my husband died I had to go down and sign papers and answer questions like "Where do you want the body sent." The woman that was filling out the paperwork said "It's marked here that you don't want an autopsy." I said "No one asked me about an autopsy." Then she said "Well do you want an autopsy done." I paused for a few minutes not knowing what to do and my sister remined me that I might need one for SC. So I told her I wanted one. Me and my husband had talked about an autopsy before if I need it for SC. But I was so Confused and just wanted out of there. Then the next morning I received a phone call from the VA hospital that I never signed a paper for the autopsy. I know I signed something. Then he said he was told that I was all confused on whether I had to pay for it or not so that is why I said no at first. No one ever asked me at first and nothing was ever said about who had to pay for it. He had to get my permission over the phone for the autopsy then they mailed a paper for me to sign. The more I think about it the more I think the VA was at fault. almost everytime my husband was admitted he had a different doctor. This time the doctor he got was a woman doctor that specialized in Infectious Disease. I'll call her DR. S. At 8:40 am Patient blood pressure 82/44 Denies chest pain and discomfort. no JVD noted. Cardiac monitor shows sinus rhythm with heart rate 77. Around noon the nurse came in and was giving him medication in his IV. I asked her what she was giving him and she said lasix. She said she had to administer it real slow because it can really lower the blood pressure. Then she said if that didn't work they were going to send him for dialysis. I asked her how long it would take before she knew if it worked or not and she said about 30 to 45 minutes. according to his records: 1210 one-time dose of furosemide 40mg given slow IVP due to pt already exhibiting low blood pressure. about 30 minutes later my husband said he had to throw up so I got his pan and raised his head up so he could throw up in the pan. He started to throw up and his head fell back in my arms. About that time 3 nurses came running in there yelling "Check a pressure, check a pressure." I looked up at the monitor and his blood pressure was 35/24. They started working with him and got his pressure back up. I ran out of ICU into the hallway to call my daughter and they paged me to return to ICU. When I got in ICU there were about 8 or 10 people in there recesitating him. They were all yelling to do this and that and one nurse said where is Dr. S and someone else said Dr. S said it was the furosemide that cause his BP to drop and someone else said the wife is present and they were all silent. according to his records: 1241 (would be 31 minutes after the furosemide) this writer monitoring pt's heart rate, rhythm and blood pressures at nurses station monitors, noted to have a significant change in rhythm. Dr S. notified immediately. Strips posted in chart. Pt continue to be lethargic, but answering questions. complaining of chest pain that is worsening, but with no radiation. Diaphoric and cool to touch ashen in color. 1250 12 lead EGK done, accu check done with results of 143. ((he had not ate in 24 hours). complains of nausea vomited small amount of undigested food. 1255 call placed to Dr. S regarding pt complaints of nausea and chest pain. 1300 Dr. S here to review EKG. orders received to give pt four 81 mg chewable baby aspirins stat. 1304 pt had a 4 beat run cf v-fib/v-tach, then had another 5 beat run of v-fib/v-tach. 1305 pt had another 5 beat run of v-fib/v-tach. dopamine drip increased to 10mcg/kg/min=78.1ml/hr for blood pressure of 81/54. HR 124. Dr S. made aware 1315 pt in v-tach/v-fib. code blue called 1330 MAA notified to call anesthesia for intubation. ( The anestheoligist was 45 minutes away they did not have one at the hospital). 1340 Dr S left care of pt to Dr K (the emergency room doctor) Dr S left and she never came back. How can a doctor just leave a patient. 1602 my husband died Kathy
  7. Berta My husband died at the VA hospital, his autopsy was done at the VA hospital. I'm not sure who made out the death certificate. On the death certificate is says Was Coroner or Medical Examiner notified? NO. No I don't live in NY I live in Illinois. I thought he was wrong about trying to connect diabetes to his death. He wanted me to file a claim right then and I told him I wanted to look over my husband medical records more before I filed a claim. So he gave the form I need to fill out so I could take it home. Kathy
  8. My husband was in vietnam but wasn't service connected for anything to do with agent orange. He never filed a claim for Diabetes. He had filed a claim for his kidney's about a month before he died. I met with my husbands SO today and he is going to try and get renal failure added to his death certificate. He also said I can't file a claim for diabetes contributing to his death since he had never filed a claim for diabetes. Kathy
  9. My husband was 80% IU P&T for only 2 years. He was SC for his back, hip, knee and PTSD. I'll have to check his labs to see how long his Creatinine levels were high. I know the first time he was in the hospital for renal failure was March 06. Thanks Kathy
  10. I have been looking over my husbands medical records and I'm not sure how I should file for DIC. My husband has been on a diabetic diet for probably 2 years and it is even in his medical records that he is on a diabetic diet. He never filed for diabetes because I thought his A1C had to be 7 or higher. His highest one was 6.4. But he was on a diabetic diet so wouldn't this make his A1C lower. His Glucose was 144 right before he died and he hadn't had anything to eat in over 24 hours. It is also in his medical records that he has diabetic feet and that he is a diet controlled diabetic. The third time he was in the hospital in the last month and half his diagnosis was: Chronic renal failure, Depression, Chronic pain and Diabetes. There was several doctors in the last couple months that said his renal failure was because of his pain medications he was taking for his SC back, hip and knee. Some quotes from his medical records: "Possible drug induced. Should reevaluate and adjust his meds. "On methadone chronically, Methadone levels increase with renal insufficiency." "Possible pain medication toxicity, on methadone & vicodin. "will continue to hold methadone, not a good choice with renal insuffiency continue with vicodin." "The patient has been taking a lot of pain medication was advised to cut down on his pain medication and make sure he drinks a lot of liquids." Hold nephrotoxic meds Lisionopril, colchecine, piroxicam." "He also carries a history of major depression and PTSD, chronic pain for which he is taking numerous pain medications. He was admitted for chronic renal failure and possible drug toxicity. He takes around the clock methadone and vicodin. Pain medications and other sedating medications continue to be on hold. Methadone is not a good choice for him due to his acute on chronic renal failure. Methadone is one that can build up to toxic levels. It was felt that the pain medications were too oversedating and he was not drinking enough fluids. Advised to use routine morphine, and as needed vicodin for pain." My husband had several different doctors his primary doctor, his renal doctor and 4 different doctors each time he was admitted. They kept switching his pain medications around one would put in on one and the other would take him off and put him on another. My husband was not abusing his pain medications. When he died he still had 2 bottles of vicodin with 180 pills in each bottle, 2 bottle of piroxicam, 2 bottles of methadone and 3/4 bottle of long acting morphine and 3/4 bottle of fast acting morphine. His records also states "History of CHF but Echocardiogram done in Oct 06 show EF of 60% and concentric LVH. "Patient has PTSD and Depression which seems to have an impact on his other medical conditions." "Major depression, recurrent: patient has been on quietapine: It can cause hypotension and increased creatinine in rare cases: wonder if it is contributing to patient's repeat admissions for ARF." On 11/5 he had creatinine of 6.47, bun 95, hgb 10.8. Records state "if needed arrange for dyalisis. Dyalisis was never discussed with us. And he was admitted 2 more times after this for renal failure. They were getting ready to send him for dyalisis when he went into cardiac arrest. The cause of death on his death certificate is: Cardio-Pulmonary Arrest. Can I file for Death due to renal failure secondary to pain medications,medications for PTSD and Depression and Diabetes. Would this be hard to prove? Do I need to send in his medical records when I file for DIC. Do I need to get an IMO before I file for DIC? Do I get to keep ChampVa? Any help would be appreciated. I just received a phone call that my best friends husband died last night of a heart attack he was in his late 40's. She had a stroke about 6 years ago and is partially paralyzed on one side. They have a 9 year old son. Kathy
  11. My husband was 80% IU P&T for only 2 years. We didn't know you could file for an increase until 2004. He was only 10% up until 2004. But was drawing Social Security Disabiltiy for around 17 years. We own an apartment building that I collect rent from. Even though the rent I collect goes towards the mortgage payment, insurance and the other expenses for the building VA would still consider this my income so I wouldn't be elgible for the VA pension. We put the building up for sale a couple months ago, hopefully it will sell soon. Kathy
  12. My husband was 80% IU P&T when he died. He was SC for his back, hip, knee and PTSD. The claim he filed for his kidneys would not have been more benefits but his death would have been SC if he was to die from kidney failure. I'm only 47 years old so I don't qualify for any Social Security benefits. I quit my job 1 1/2 years ago to stay home and take care of him. So I don't have an income right now. We would have been married 30 years in Feb 07. Kathy
  13. Berta Yes, my husband died at a VA hospital. This was actually the 6th or 7th time he was admitted for kidney failure. The first time was in March 06, then I think a few months later he was admitted I'll have to check his records. In the last month and half he was admitted 5 times for kidney failure. The 3rd time he was in there this last month it is in his medical records that they suggest dialysis but was never discussed with us. My husband was in Vietnam. He was considered to be borderline diabetic. His A1C test were not high enough to file a claim. I think the highest was 6.4. But the 2nd time he was hospitalized in the last month and half one of his diagnosis was diabetis, also in one of his reports from a doctors visit says Diabetis - Stable. He also has in the medical records when he had a foot exam that he had diabetic feet. All of his medical records says Diabetic diet. He had filed a claim with his SO about 3 weeks ago for SC for his kidneys. Secondary to pain medications he was taking for his SC back, leg and knee. I had asked his doctor if he thought he could file a claim for his kidneys. His doctor said yes it is because of Diabetis due to agent orange. I said I didn't think his A1C was high enough. He looked on the computer and said probably not. Then I asked him about getting his kidneys service connected due to pain medications he was taking and his doctor said it would probably be worth our while to file a claim. He was taking piroxicam, hydrocodone, Methadone, and morphine. Yes, I did have an autopsy done and his family threw a fit about it. I called the VA hospital today and they said I could come in and sign a release to get his medical records. I always got his medical records so I only need them for Nov. Can you file a claim for DIC and also 1151, or only one of them. Thanks Kathy
  14. My husband passed away on Nov 26th. We buried him on Thursday. He was only 58 years old. He was in the hospital 5 times in the last month and half for kidney failure. This last time they were getting ready to start dialysis and he went into cardiac arrest and died. I keep thinking why didn't they do dialysis the 3rd or 4th time why wait until the 5th time. Maybe I should have took him somewhere else. Everyone left today and I'm by myself for the first time. I don't know what to do with myself. I walk from one room to the other just looking at his stuff. I feel like beating my head against the wall. Kathy
  15. No I didn't find anyone to read the EKG. Still waiting. Thanks Kathy
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