ptsd Not Sure Where To Go From Here!

[bm6546]

After almost 3 years and 2 denials from the VA, I thought I had the answer from my private cardiologist. I had an appt with him approx 1 month ago and after listening to me and reading all my notes he indicated that he wanted to help me with a letter to the VA that would help me with my claim. Well he sent a letter to my VSO lady and basically said that I have 2 different heart conditions and that they are not related and that is why the VA has denied my claims. I was stunned and my VSO lady was also upset and couldn't believe it. I don't know which way to go now.

A little history on my claims- I was discharged from the Navy back in 1966 with a heart condition known as PAT (Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia). The US Navy determined it was bad enough that they discharged me after 2 years. They said it was SC and gave me 10% for a little over 1 year and then took it away for no apparent reason. I have been in and out of hospitals the last 35 years and I had a heart attack almost 3 years ago that has disabled me to the point that I am not able to work any more. I started collecting SSDI and that is what I live on, barely. I also suffer from anxiety, depression and a mild case of PTSD, all related to my heart attack. I have seen VA shrinks, physcologists, counselors and cardiologists and not one of them wants to get involved and help me. I have had 2 C&P exams and have failed both of them, meaning that my claims were denied based on what the NP from the C&P exams wrote.

I know that I need a nexus letter from a private cardiologist to help me with my claims, but I can't afford to pay for one, as I am on SSDI and my wife got laid off 6 months ago.

I just don't know which way to go now and my VSO lady has indicated that she is also not sure what she can do for me anymore.

I would appreciate ANY help from the Hadit members as my back is against the wall.

Thank you in advance, Brian

[tagandbag]

Brian that really sucks what your private cardio did. Have you discussed the imo with him, is it possible that he did not understand what you were asking for. I am not an expert on these cardio issues and do not want give you bad advice. But I know one of the other members will help you out. Just keep asking.

Best of luck to you.

T&B

[hotcoffee2]

bm6546 i am sorry. if you look at my posts outside of the rantings of rental, they have been for the most part medical opinions. i am a former patholgist's assistant and well schooled, board certified in pathology. if you have a medical record that you can send me i will do my best to find the nexus. for free. i was negotiating with dr.bash to help him with some of his cases. he decided that i was weak in areas of nuclear scanning. an area of his expertise. also things to due with the pituitary ardrenal axis he called me a neophyte (paraphrase). but cardio im fine. and will look at your records if you choose to send them. this is the best offer i can make. post back and ill pm you with address. what do you have to lose. no im not a 'medical expert' but if a credible nexus can be defined..there is a reg that rentalhead posted about VA medical caretakers writing a supporting document. you need a paper trail and at minimun i can do that. up to you dear heart.

as a path asst., i was directly under the pathologist. we make more bucks than a physician asst. i was required to read the patient's medical record and prepare the PAD or 'preliminary assessment of death. i am well familiar with cardiology probs. if you review dr. bash's credentials/licenses they include licenses as a maryland medical examiner....that's a pathologist in short order. if you want me to print his cv i'd be delighted.

After almost 3 years and 2 denials from the VA, I thought I had the answer from my private cardiologist. I had an appt with him approx 1 month ago and after listening to me and reading all my notes he indicated that he wanted to help me with a letter to the VA that would help me with my claim. Well he sent a letter to my VSO lady and basically said that I have 2 different heart conditions and that they are not related and that is why the VA has denied my claims. I was stunned and my VSO lady was also upset and couldn't believe it. I don't know which way to go now.

A little history on my claims- I was discharged from the Navy back in 1966 with a heart condition known as PAT (Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia). The US Navy determined it was bad enough that they discharged me after 2 years. They said it was SC and gave me 10% for a little over 1 year and then took it away for no apparent reason. I have been in and out of hospitals the last 35 years and I had a heart attack almost 3 years ago that has disabled me to the point that I am not able to work any more. I started collecting SSDI and that is what I live on, barely. I also suffer from anxiety, depression and a mild case of PTSD, all related to my heart attack. I have seen VA shrinks, physcologists, counselors and cardiologists and not one of them wants to get involved and help me. I have had 2 C&P exams and have failed both of them, meaning that my claims were denied based on what the NP from the C&P exams wrote.

I know that I need a nexus letter from a private cardiologist to help me with my claims, but I can't afford to pay for one, as I am on SSDI and my wife got laid off 6 months ago.

I just don't know which way to go now and my VSO lady has indicated that she is also not sure what she can do for me anymore.

I would appreciate ANY help from the Hadit members as my back is against the wall.

Thank you in advance, Brian

Edited December 4, 2008 by hotcoffee2

[bm6546]

hotcoffee2,

Thank you for your interest. I can send you anything you need if it will help my claim. I appreciate the fact that you are willing to do this. Let me know what you need.

Thanks, Brian

[bm6546]

Brian that really sucks what your private cardio did. Have you discussed the imo with him, is it possible that he did not understand what you were asking for. I am not an expert on these cardio issues and do not want give you bad advice. But I know one of the other members will help you out. Just keep asking.

Best of luck to you.

T&B

tagandbag, thanks for your reply. Yes, unfortunately, my cardio doc understood exactly what I needed. Spelled it out with several letters and hospital reports from 2 hospitals. The sad part of this whole thing was that he indicated to me that he wanted to help me and got my hopes up, and then his letter that he basically changed his mind and wasn't going to help me. That really hurt and pissed me off at the same time. Now I guess I have to take the bull by the balls, oops, can I say that? I mean take the bull by the horns, and find a different way to fight this battle. Thanks, Brian

[john999]

Brian

Get a lawyer. You have that right now. If your SC was severed 35 years ago then you probably need some help to get it back after all these years. If your SC was severed for reasons that violate VA rules you might be entitled to mucho retro pay. A good and experienced lawyer might be able to sort this out.

[hotcoffee2]

not without a medical specialist is suspect. im not that....but i can see if i can define the target

Brian

Get a lawyer. You have that right now. If your SC was severed 35 years ago then you probably need some help to get it back after all these years. If your SC was severed for reasons that violate VA rules you might be entitled to mucho retro pay. A good and experienced lawyer might be able to sort this out.