hypertension How To Handle A Denial For Housing Allowance

[Testvet]

In the award letter issued in June where they granted my CAD and hypertension based on the BVA award, the RO wrote in the award letter that I still was NOT entitled to the 50,000 housing allowance as he found astatement somewhere in my medical file that my power chair was issued to me due to the 3 herniated disks in my back and not due to severe heart ejection fraction, <30% which SSD used to grant my SSD. MY SSD award was made before I was ever diagnosed with PTSD etc.

I got a copy of the decision letter by the Doctor that heads the panel that has to approve the issue of the power chairs at the VAMC they have a 3 doctor board that has to sign off on it, so no one is just passing the out to anyone that wants one.

History of present illness: The patient is a 48 yr old male who has a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 25% by cardiac cath on 10-2-02, peripheral vascular disease, status post three vessel coronary artery bypass graft in Feb 1997, status post PTCA x2, coronary artery disease, status post myocardial infarction in 1993, History of CVA in Feb 1994, GERD, depression, degenerative joint disease, as well as degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine. Recent CT scan of the head showed encephalomalacia for which he is taking antibiotics, History of tuberculosis exposure and positive chest X ray. He was referred by DR Joyce M. Duquette a primary care physician to evaluate the veteran for a motorized scooter as he cannot walk for any kind of distance without severe pain secondary to degenerative disk disease, degenerative joint disease of the knee and inoperable coronary artery disease secondary to congestive heart failure. This veteran was evaluated by Ms. Kathryn Jewett a physical therapist prior to evaluation in the wheelchair seating clinic.

Pertinent Physical Findings: As per Ms. Kathryn Jewett's evaluation and as per her presentation, this veteran is a 48 year old male who is alert and oriented to time , place and person. His vision is corrected with glasses. He is 5'11" tall and weighs 150 pounds. He is right handed. Both upper and lower extremity range of motion was within normal functional limits. Muscle strength is 5/5. Sensation is intact except infor lower left extremity. Coordination is intact. He transfers independently. He ambulates with a wheeled walker, however he has to stop inbetween if he has to walk about 100 feet, secondary to dypsnea on exertion. His endurance is fair.

Assessment: Congestive heart failure with an ejection fraction of 25% as per cardiac cath on 10-2-02, coronary artery disease, and other multiple medical problems.His endurance is fair.

Plan: The team felt that he would benefit from power mobility to increase his functional level as well as his independence, so power mobility with right hand controls and scooter lift were prescribed for him.

/es/ xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx M.D.

Staff Physiatrist

signed 9-26-2003 10:51

based on this statement should I ask the VARO to reconsider their denial of the housing allowance to adapt my home for the use of the power chair and should I ask for the auto allowance to haul the beast around?

[broncovet]

Test..

In a word, Yes..you deserve both the housing allowance and the Auto. File a NOD, and cite this letter. I cant see why they turned you down based on this letter other than general VA stinginess.

[Commander Bob]

In the award letter issued in June where they granted my CAD and hypertension based on the BVA award, the RO wrote in the award letter that I still was NOT entitled to the 50,000 housing allowance as he found astatement somewhere in my medical file that my power chair was issued to me due to the 3 herniated disks in my back and not due to severe heart ejection fraction, <30% which SSD used to grant my SSD. MY SSD award was made before I was ever diagnosed with PTSD etc....

Bottom line... please take care of yourself, Testvet. we need you here on the good ship Hadit. I hope you prevail, and get one of those walk in bath tubs, with some of your 50k of home adaptive improvements... Very cool... See you at the races...

[Testvet]

Bottom line... please take care of yourself, Testvet. we need you here on the good ship Hadit. I hope you prevail, and get one of those walk in bath tubs, with some of your 50k of home adaptive improvements... Very cool... See you at the races...

IL sent a counstruction guy here to put in one of the those bath tub lifts, grab bars around the tub and some other small accomodations in the bathroom, take out the sliding doors and mirror and put up a shower curtain rod so others can use the shower Independent living has arranged a lot of things for me over the past 4 years he sent a guy 2 years ago to check out the estimate for the work and last week the actual contractor showed up maybe another week or two they will fix the bathroom new fiscal year they have money now for these projects again I have learned patience with IL but other than the long waits that guy really produces stuff I am surprised by all of it really.

[Testvet]

Test..

In a word, Yes..you deserve both the housing allowance and the Auto. File a NOD, and cite this letter. I cant see why they turned you down based on this letter other than general VA stinginess.

my claim really has pizzed off the DRO it's like anything I do makes him mad and he makes it like personal it's been a long 7 years I keep hoping he would retire lol

[Commander Bob]

my claim really has pizzed off the DRO it's like anything I do makes him mad and he makes it like personal it's been a long 7 years I keep hoping he would retire lol

Your tenacity end perseverance is inspiring....

Edited October 28, 2009 by Commander Bob

[JamesBreckenridge]

Adaptive Housing... it's not something I have ever rated, so I don't know much about it, unfortunately.

But I will say that having an ejection fraction of 25 percent... yowza! That's the worst I've ever seen!

One would think the regional office would ask for a medical opinion "Is it the vet's non SC back condition or his SC heart condition which requires the use of the chair?" If the doctor says it's half and half, you would think the tie would go to the runner.

But I don't know enough about Adaptive Housing or the Automobile grant to give much input on this topic, sorry, other than good luck and I hope you get a grant.

50 grand? Really? Wow.

Edited October 29, 2009 by JamesBreckenridge