AimHigh1986

Still employed for now. Taking it day by day. I haven't requested TDIU. On the 4138 I only requested the 3rd month of temp 100% that they omitted. I also claimed SMC "s" for being statutory housebound during the 3 months I was temp 100% after my bypass surgery.

My recent claim for increase (I submitted a 21-4138 to notify them of payment calculation errors/omissions in their 26 Feb 10 decision) was received by the VA on 11 Mar 10 and is currently "in establishment". Anybody know what "in establishment" means?

I thought that SMC "s" is $3200+ for vet/spouse/dependent...?

Thanks. So I shouldn't be worried that they haven't sent me the "We have received your claim..." letter? It's been about 2 weeks since I mailed the 21-4138.

Quick question: The VA shorted me some retro pay, and I submitted a 21-4138 to notify them about the error. Does the VA typically send another decision letter or will they simply make the correction and send me a retro check without notice?

You are very fortunate to be alive. The left anterior descending coronary artery is vital to the function of the heart. They call that artery "The Widow Maker". :)

Have you tried an IRIS inquiry? It worked for me when my claim was stagnant and no one at the 800 number could tell me what was going on. I thought that the VA might settle my CAD/heart bypass claim without C&P exams, but I was wrong. They put me through a battery of tests...even though I'd already had the same tests done by my own cardiologist and had submitted the evidence with my claim. Hang in there. You are not alone.

This is what I've always been told: 1. “is due to” (100% sure) 2. “more likely than not” (greater than 50%) 3. “at least as likely as not” (equal to or greater than 50%) 4. “not at least as likely as not” (less than 50%) 5. “is not due to” (0%)"

It took about 3 months before my chest stopped being tender to the touch. I still have numbness. Now I'm dealing with scar tissue and inflammation around my left lung. It's hard to breathe and it makes using my CPAP machine for my sleep apnea next to impossible. I'm depressed...I have ED...I'm miserable. Constantly fatigued. But I'm glad to be alive.

Your C&P exam was probably canx because it's too soon after your surgery. They'll probably wait 3 months. You should at least get 3 months temp 100% once your CAD is deemed service connected as secondary to your hypertension. My C&P exam was scheduled about 3 months after my heart bypass, and I was still exhausted. I couldn't complete the treadmill stress test and was still in a lot of pain.

I have CAD, and my BP skyrockets during angina attacks. They increased my SC hypertension from 0 to 10%. I never thought about claiming ED...what is the rating schedule for ED?

P.R., Did the VA send you any written correspondence after you sent them a NOD (something stating that they rec'd your NOD), or did they simply make the correction and send you your money?

Are you service connected for CAD and are claiming hypertension as a secondary condition?

This may be a dumb question, but can anyone tell me if Special Monthly Compensation is a one-time payment or is it actually paid monthly for each month that a vet is entitled to it?

I recently filed a similar claim for CAD secondary to SC hypertension. The connection was established, but per the rating schedule, the temporary 100 percent for coronary bypass surgery was only for 3 months. Thereafter, they determined a rating of 10% based on the findings of my C&P exams. They also increased my hypertension rating. The claim was completed in about 8-9 months. Be careful though, because they shorted me 1 month of temp 100%...the effective date of your claim should be the date of your heart surgery, not the date the VA received your claim. My prayers are with you Saturneptune...this must be a lot to deal with so soon after your heart surgery.

Sorry to hear about your CAD & bypass surgery. I was 0% service connected for hypertension and was diagnosed with CAD in July 09. I had a single bypass operation due to a 99% blockage of my left anterior descending coronary artery. They finished my claim in Feb 10, increasing my hypertension to 10% and granting another 10% for CAD. You should be entitled to 3 months of temporary 100% after your bypass surgery, and possibly Special Monthly Compensation if you have other service connected disabilities totaling 60% or more. The rating for your CAD will depend on the results of your C&P exams. The ejection fraction of your heart plays a key role in the rating. They also found scarring in my lung tissue (which I didn't even claim), and they rated me 0% for that with more C&P exams pending to evaluate that condition. It's a long process, and the C&P exams were grueling since it was so soon after my surgery -- but to answer your question, it's pretty much automatic for the connection of CAD secondary to service connected hypertension. I assume you filed all of your surgery documentation and medical evidence with your claim?

It's encouraging news to hear that it only took a few weeks once you sent your NOD.

Wow, thanks for the info! I believe my rater rushed through the claim (lots of typos) because it had been stagnant in Atlanta for several months without any action. I'd even stopped receiving the "we are working on your claim" letters every month. After an IRIS inquiry, my claim was "miraculously" completed within a week. I noticed it was kind of peculiar because the decision letter came in a brown envelope with my name and address handwritten on the front.

James: Am I reading the regs correctly? Is SMC actually over $4K per month for a vet, spouse & child?? I placed the Form 21-4138 in the mail today. I'm curious to see how long it takes for the VA to make the correction(s).

Extremely helpful!!! Thank you James!!!

Thanks for the info James. I did have several C&P exams for my heart, and they rated me at 10% for heart disease effective 1 Nov 09. They also increased my SC hypertension from zero to 10%. I can live with that, but like you stated I should have had the temp 100% from 2 Jul 09 to 31 Oct 09. Do you think I can use IRIS to correct this or write a letter? As for my other disabilities, I was 70% for sleep apnea, migraines and a bad hip. How would I apply for Special Monthly Compensation due to Housebound Status? Thanks again, A.H.86

What have I got to lose? Hope. Sanity. :o

Congratulations!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your help Berta.

I had heart bypass surgery on 2 Jul 09; I filed a new claim which was rec'd by the VA on 3 Aug 09. The ratings schedule says that veterans received 3 months of temporary 100% after heart bypass surgery. I received my decision letter the other day and they granted temporary 100% with an effective date of 1 Sep 09, ending 1 Nov 09. That's only 2 months. The check I received today confirmed that fact. August is missing. Should I file a NOD to tell them I disagree or can an obvious error like this be solved over the phone or through IRIS? Thanks, A.H.86