Heart Disease Aggravated By Respiratory Condition

[militarynurse]

Hi. Looking for any approved claim decisions showing a nexus link between a service-connected respiratory dysfunction that aggravated or caused to develop heart disease as a secondary condition. Anyone ever file a claim on this topic? Any and all assistance appreciated.

[*Bergie*]

Hi. Looking for any approved claim decisions showing a nexus link between a service-connected respiratory dysfunction that aggravated or caused to develop heart disease as a secondary condition. Anyone ever file a claim on this topic? Any and all assistance appreciated.

With the little info you provided and based on my experience I would say with certainty that it may not cause the cardiac problem (it could possibly). However, it can definatly worsen a condition. I would recommend you talk to a pulmonologist or cardiologist for definative clarification and maybe an IMO well their at it.

Good luck,

Bergie

[Berta]

I agree with Bergie-

and would think aggravation would be more possible than cause of heart condition.

Only a strong medical opinion would help to dsatify the medical nexus.

There are possibly similar cases at the BVA web site but unfortunately other VA decisions based on medical evidence do not help individual awards.

If that was the case -what my daughter said the other day would be true-

she is home on leave and she read my recent BVA award and then the VARO award letter.

She asked if thousands of Vietnam vets with heart disease can use my award letter for direct SC.

If that were possible I would post it on every single vet's site on the web

-service connected death due to heart disease due to service in Vietnam

(they completely forgot what the BVA stated-

SC death due to DMII and complications of DMII incurred due to exposure to herbicides during the Vietnam War.BIG difference and they are correcting their error now)

WHatever decisions have been made on past claims- the VA is quick to point out that these decisions are based on the medical nature of individual claims.

Sometimes BVA and CAVC decisions are important to claims-

but only medical evidence that spefically addresses each individual claimant is accepted by the VA as possible nexus

unless they have a presumptive disability.

Even then secondary conditions to presumptives still need bonafide medical evidence of relationship to the initial SC condition.

Sometimes the BVA posts the entire doctor's name in decisions- doctors who gave independent medical opinions-

if you find similiar cases there may be doctors in those decisions you could contact for an IMO as they would apparently have the proper expertise needed to opine on claims like this.

[john999]

You have to have a medical opinion to make the nexus between the service connected respitory condition and the heart condition. Secondary conditons almost always require a medical opinion to make the connection even in obvious conditions like the complications of DMII.

[Chuck75]

Cardio & Vascular problems can be caused or aggravated by inflammatory conditions. Some of the pulmonary and allergy related conditions fall into the inflammatory category. Genetics are also a factor. It will take a qualified doctor to connect the conditions.

With the little info you provided and based on my experience I would say with certainty that it may not cause the cardiac problem (it could possibly). However, it can definatly worsen a condition. I would recommend you talk to a pulmonologist or cardiologist for definative clarification and maybe an IMO well their at it.

Good luck,

Bergie

[jbasser]

Here is a scenario that is acceeptable.

A Veteran has a SC'd lung condition. The Lung condition is advanced and causes pulmonary hypertension which leads to increased pressure of the pulmonary arteries and caused the right Ventricle to be enlarged. This is right sided heart disease or a prerequsite to cor pumonole.

This can be nexused that way.

Left sided heart disease will most likely not be related according to the Docs I have talked to.

J

[Teac]

Hi. Looking for any approved claim decisions showing a nexus link between a service-connected respiratory dysfunction that aggravated or caused to develop heart disease as a secondary condition. Anyone ever file a claim on this topic? Any and all assistance appreciated.

I have not filed a claim for such a condition but it is very possible. I have service connected lung disease that requires oxygen and I am told my heart is borderline enlarged due to my lung conditon. At this point and as I get older there is a very good chance that my heart will become a problem.