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chr49
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Posts posted by chr49
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QUOTE (hawkfire27 @ Mar 28 2010, 03:41 AM)
HI chr49,
It seems to me that as long as you have atherosclerosis on your list of diagnoses, then you have an IHD claim. because you don't have a lot of records???? Then they will schedule a c&p or two to gain more information about your atherosclerosis.
Now the question is what % you get. Well that all depends on the MET's etc.
Even if you get SC at 0% that is still a connection, so that if things get worse (knock on wood) that it will be easier to upgrade than get it SC'ed from the start.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^IHD must be diagnosed and provable by Medical records, THE RESULTS of about 5 or so tests the C&P folks will use
to determine the percentage of disability.
The tests will list either a EF or METS scores.....
look at the file below and compare what type of IHD and the Mets
below 3 Mets 60%
3 METS and above 30%
The VA stated in the proposed rules most vets will get 60% for IHD
Once you get the EF and METs SCORES THEN......YOU WAIT TILL THE PROCESS WORKS THROUGH THIS LONG TWISTY ROAD
Thanks to all...
I'm pretty thick sometimes but I'm sensing a conflict of opinion on this. Please forgive all my questions, I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to this VA stuff so it's best to stick to the point with me. I simply want to do things right the first time around.
If the proposed regulations state the following why do I need a clear cut diagnosis of IHD?
"According to Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine (Harrison's
Online, Chapter 237, Ischemic Heart Disease, 2008), IHD is a condition
in which there is an inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to a portion
of the myocardium; it typically occurs when there is an imbalance
between myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Therefore, for purposes of
this regulation, the term ``IHD'' includes, but is not limited to,
acute, subacute, and old myocardial infarction; atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease (including
coronary spasm) and coronary bypass surgery; and stable, unstable and
Prinzmetal's angina. Since the term refers only to heart disease, it
does not include hypertension or peripheral manifestations of
arteriosclerosis such as peripheral vascular disease or stroke.
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Sorry this is so long. I'm 61 - Vietnam Vet and I'm currently rated 50% PTSD.
I have the following diagnoses on private and VA records:
. R leg PVD- with superficial femoral occlusion per private hospital-2002
. L leg PVD- for which had angioplasty/stent per VAMC -2008
. R carotid artery occlusion per carotid ultrasound(told inoperable)VAMC -2008
. L carotid artery stenosis per carotid ultrasound VAMC -2008
. Hypertension - since 2005 per private & VA records
. ED - since 2002 per private & VA records
Private hospital records from 2002 show a diagnosis of 440.0 Aortic Atherosclerosis and 440.21 Ath Ext NTV AT w Claudct on my Diagnosis Summary. Procedures were: Contrast Aortogram & Contrast Arteriogram-leg. The Contrast aortogram findings: " Single right & left renal arteries are widely patent. There is slight atherosclerosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. There is no appreciable infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. There is no moderate or severe stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta." It then goes into description of the Arteriogram which shows a greater than 20 cm occlusion.
Since then, I have gone thru several tests and procedures with the VA, for which I have not received records at this point.
Several questions: Should I file any of the above diagnosis's secondary to my PTSD? Do I have a claim for IHD? Should I simply let it all go? I believe the fact that I avoided all medical care from my discharge in '71 - '98 would make a claim difficult to prove.
I would really appreciate any advice I can get since I have very little knowledge on filing VA claims.
Note: I do not have health insurance so it would be very difficult for me to work outside the VA right now.
Thanks to all...Very helpful!
When I saw my private hospital records from 2002 showing atherosclerosis in the aorta it really shook me up. If it's in the abdominal aorta it seems like it must be in the heart. The worst part is...at that time both of my carotids were clear, my B/P was good, and my left leg was fine. All of which are in bad shape now. It's a lot to get anxious about but I'm hanging in there! I'm still somewhat confused about all of this. I read the CFR's, etc. but it still leaves me unclear as to where I stand, since my case seems more vascular.
I had extensive testing at the Vascular & Cardio clinic (Nashville VAMC)in 2008, but I don't have those records yet. I don't go to my primary care doc until late in April. I've had 3 strange episodes in the past 3-4 months. The worst lasted quite a long time and I felt like I was going to faint, nauseous, and very weak. I was told my color was gray but there was no pain. The other 2 episodes were minor in comparison but all caused some weakness & shortness of breath. I refused to go to the hospital/doctor (no insurance) and we live nearly 2.5 hours from the VAMC.
Thanks again!!
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Good suggestion Broncovet
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Senses, I got no skinking senses....
I is old crazy vet
Skunk and vperl!
Thanks for the laughs...I needed them!
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Clair, from what I read of the proposed regs for the new AO presumptives, it seems like a clear-cut IHD claim. I believe you stand a better chance with that than with a claim secondary to PTSD. Good luck,
Pat
Thanks Pat!
Sometimes it's hard to know which way to turn. Appreciate the advice.
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Thanks to all.....you are the greatest!
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Sorry this is so long. I'm 61 - Vietnam Vet and I'm currently rated 50% PTSD.
I have the following diagnoses on private and VA records:
. R leg PVD- with superficial femoral occlusion per private hospital-2002
. L leg PVD- for which had angioplasty/stent per VAMC -2008
. R carotid occlusion per ultrasound(told inoperable)VAMC -2008
. L carotid stenosis per ultrasound VAMC -2008
. Hypertension - since 2005 per private & VA records
. ED - since 2002 per private & VA records
Private hospital records from 2002 show a diagnosis of 440.0 Aortic Atherosclerosis and 440.21 Ath Ext NTV AT w Claudct on my Diagnosis Summary. Procedures were: Contrast Aortogram & Contrast Arteriogram-leg. The Contrast aortogram findings: " Single right & left renal arteries are widely patent. There is slight atherosclerosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. There is no appreciable infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. There is no moderate or severe stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta." It then goes into description of the Arteriogram which shows a greater than 20 cm occlusion.
Since then, I have gone thru several tests and procedures with the VA, for which I have not received records at this point.
Several questions: Should I file any of the above diagnosis's secondary to my PTSD? Do I have a claim for IHD? Should I simply let it all go? I believe the fact that I avoided all medical care from my discharge in '71 - '98 would make a claim difficult to prove.
I would really appreciate any advice I can get since I have very little knowledge on filing VA claims.
Note: I do not have health insurance so it would be very difficult for me to work outside the VA right now.
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Sorry this is so long. I'm 61 - Vietnam Vet and I'm currently rated 50% PTSD.
I have the following diagnoses on private and VA records:
. R leg PVD- with superficial femoral occlusion per private hospital-2002
. L leg PVD- for which had angioplasty/stent per VAMC -2008
. R carotid occlusion per ultrasound(told inoperable)VAMC -2008
. L carotid stenosis per ultrasound VAMC -2008
. Hypertension - since 2005 per private & VA records
. ED - since 2002 per private & VA records
Private hospital records from 2002 show a diagnosis of 440.0 Aortic Atherosclerosis and 440.21 Ath Ext NTV AT w Claudct on my Diagnosis Summary. Procedures were: Contrast Aortogram & Contrast Arteriogram-leg. The Contrast aortogram findings: " Single right & left renal arteries are widely patent. There is slight atherosclerosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. There is no appreciable infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. There is no moderate or severe stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta." It then goes into description of the Arteriogram which shows a greater than 20 cm occlusion.
Since then, I have gone thru several tests and procedures with the VA, for which I have not received records at this point.
Several questions: Should I file any of the above diagnosis's secondary to my PTSD? Do I have a claim for IHD? Should I simply let it all go? I believe the fact that I avoided all medical care from my discharge in '71 - '98 would make a claim difficult to prove.
I would really appreciate any advice I can get since I have very little knowledge on filing VA claims.
Note: I do not have health insurance so it would be very difficult for me to work outside the VA right now.
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Shag,
MY VRO representative phoned me today to tell me where things were with my claim. No, I didn't phone him. I was really surprised. When I checked the mail I had one of the VA 'we care about you' letters that others are getting waiting for me. There's lots of work to be done to put the trust back but they seem to be trying. Just being treating us with respect will make a difference.
So...I'm thinking positive tonight.
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For those that know a lot more about this than I do...
Since Mooshi's at 30% and doesn't seem to be getting anywhere, could he ask for a PTSD rating increase based on his SSDI determination and the exams they did?
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I located a bilateral calculator (works for bilateral or non-bilateral)on another site that does a pretty decent job. I did a little experimenting with it and it was correct until I hit the higher levels. Once I got to 94% and added the appropriate amount to take me to 95% it kept me at 94%. In the end, it's best to go to the regulations and use their chart to double check. Calculators are fun to mess with though.
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rotorhead,
We all have days like that now and then! Good to hear that things are going better now.
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Has the 2nd C& P been scheduled yet? Since the doctor said it, he may have simply misread something or it may be a scheduling error. I agree with others though, whatever he does, he needs to go to all scheduled appointments.
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Sorry Ruby,
Haven't heard that one before but I'll bet somebody will come along with an answer soon.
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OK...I'll bite. I read this over 4 times..then I looked up 'Remand' - An appeal returned to the regional office or medical facility where the claim originated - to be sure I wasn't completely crazy in my understanding.
Maybe I'm full of it but it sounds to me like BVA didn't like what they were looking at in this vet's claim. I know a remand means more waiting, but if the outcome is positive for the vet it could be worth it. In this case, let's say the claim had one or more IMO's stating that it was 'more likely than not' and this one examiner said it 'is less likely than not'. Isn't it possible that the BVA is sending it back to 'offer a complete rationale for his opinions, expressed in the examinations referenced above, that it is less likely than not that the Veteran's hypertension or heart disease are related to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD' because they think the examiner didn't offer proper documentation and his statement doesn't support the evidence in the rest of the claim? They say they want an addendum, which tells me the examiner didn't show or give proper rationale for his statement. I've read it and read it and it really sounds to me like they are giving this vet the benefit of the doubt on this one, as they are supposed to. Call me crazy...I can take it. Of course, one could say that they should simply weigh the positive IMO over the examiners....but maybe there were no IMO's and they are simply looking over the evidence...all food for thought.
Hey, I'm new at this!! I can think positive.
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I know it's just proposed at this point but at least we're seeing some progress!
See that it rules out hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and stroke.
"Therefore, for purposes of this regulation, the term ``IHD'' includes, but is not limited to, acute, subacute, and old myocardial infarction; atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease (including
coronary spasm) and coronary bypass surgery; and stable, unstable and
Prinzmetal's angina. Since the term refers only to heart disease, it
does not include hypertension or peripheral manifestations of
arteriosclerosis such as peripheral vascular disease or stroke."
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Have a claim in for HTN as related to my PTSD right now....we'll see what happens.
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Yes, rumors that the proposed will be posted 25March2010 8:45am
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Rumors of the three Presumptive Proposed rules being published on Federal registry Thursday 25March2020
"Thursday 25March2020"
You do mean 2010...right?
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Great news B6!
Now you can relax a bit.
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The ten year waiting period for DIC is far too long and DIC is far too little. I think the spouse should get the entire 100% until she/he dies. Most spouses earned it.
Completely different subject but it is far too little.
If I should ever get 100%, it's doubtful I'd make the 10 year waiting period and I know it will be very difficult for my wife to survive. She keeps saying she must go first but I don't want that. Before somebody says it...we did plan, as everybody should, then got wiped out when we both went thru long periods of unemployment. Now we start again.
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I agree with you Pete. I've never felt like I've had poor treatment.
I posted these links so AO vets could see that the VA is doing something. There will be so many new claims going in. It's good to see that they are trying to come up with a way to move them thru the system quickly.
What I'm not happy about is the fact that they are taking so long to get the regulations in place and get started. AO vets need to see some progress. It's the waiting and wondering that makes people think they aren't being cared about. I'm sure this is going to be a nightmare with so many denied claims over the years but they need to start something. If they had the regulations in place, the VA could start processing the old/denied claims for compensation and DIC right away.
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I wasn't here in Nov. but it's really nice to read your feelings. I'm happy to hear that things are going well for you now.
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Carlie,
I've had questions about the difference between a NOD and a Reconsideration...great links! Thanks.
Need To File Claim - Lots Of Confustion
in VA Disability Claims Research
Posted · Edited by chr49
vperl...
While I was at the Nashville VAMC I had tons of testing done prior to my most recent r. leg angioplasty in 2008. My leg was black at the time, I couldn't walk so I know they did some sort of chemical/resting stress test. I've had cat scans, ultrasounds, etc. I just don't have these records in my hands yet...so that I can't use them for documentation. I don't know what MUGA testing is.