Autopsys

[Berta]

You all know I have three favorable IM0s that VA has not acknoweldged for my claim-and only the BVA- in remand actually acknowldged them and the fact VA has ignored them for years.

BVA ordered a Cardiologist's review of the claim.I just got the PA report (BVA had wanted this to come from a cardiologist)and I already have knocked down his review because he didnt have a clue.

Since BVA wanted VA to have a cardio doc do the report I got a cardio doc myself who will be preparing my 4th IMO.

One thing I overlooked when I won my FTCA case was a page of narration of the microscopic slides of my husband's brain and heart attached to the extensive autopsy.

Yesterday I googled the very first finding in the slides as to the medical terminology not expecting to find anything significant.

Was I wrong.

The slide narration contained a direct solid connection that supports my claim -so significant that I am glad to shell out more $$$$ for this cardio IMO along with other evidence I have learned of since filing the claim in 2003.

I hate to urge autopsies here-no one really wants to think about these things.

An autopsy however-as I well know- can make the difference between DIC and no DIC.

An autopsy also can reveal malpractice.

When the Organ Bank required an autopsy,(since they took his skin, eyes, and long bones -arms and legs)I had no idea at that moment how instrumental the autopsy would become to rectifying my husband's death.

Peace with Honor is getting closer for him.

[john999]

Berta

You said before that if you are an organ donor you get the autopsy done automatically. I told my wife to be sure to get one done on me (but wait 'til I am dead) to be sure she gets DIC. The VA diagnosed a heart condition and if I die from that I want proof for my wife.

[carlie]

Berta,

You posted,

"Peace with Honor is getting closer for him."

I know this will be a blessing for you when this is resolved.

carlie

[Pete53]

I believe that in some ways the VA is as hard on widows and spouses of Veterans and at such a stressful time why make the spouses life so miserable.

I am glad that I made the 10 years to protect my wifes benefits as I am pretty sure I will go before she does. I consider DIC an earned benefit and its my opinion that a widow or widower should get it automatically if a Veteran is rated 100%

[john999]

Yes, if someone is rated 100% they should not have to have their spouse wait ten years to get DIC. I think the VA does this just to save money at the expense of the spouse. Most of those with 100% don't work so the family will take a huge hit if the vet dies before 10 years from a NSC cause. This is why I have fought to get SC'ed for possibly fatal conditions even after getting TDIU back in 2001. I don't want to die one month before I hit the ten year mark and leave my wife without DIC after she has stuck with me all these years. It is not as if DIC is a large amout of money. No one can live on it alone without other sources of income. With DIC and survivor SSA benefits a person might be able to survive if all their debts are paid and they don't make any new ones. How anyone lives just on SSA benefits I don't know?

[Wings]

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I thought if the veteran died at a VA Facility, the VA did the autopsy. If you wanted to order an autopsy for the deceased, would the VA release the body to the next of kin? ~Wings

[Berta]

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I thought if the veteran died at a VA Facility, the VA did the autopsy. If you wanted to order an autopsy for the deceased, would the VA release the body to the next of kin? ~Wings

I dont know if the VA still does autopies and what VA's do them, Wings.

The VA would certainly have to release a body to the next of kin.

Good question.When the ambulance came they took Rod -not to the VA but to a private hospital-to be pronounced dead. The hospital was a little further away than the VA.I knew he was dead but ALS and ambulance corps EMTs cannot make that pronouncement.and maybe they figured VA couldn't either.