hypertension Hypertension

[Billyboy]

I am rated for tinnitus 10%, loss of hearing 0% and MDD at 50%, (claimed as post traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorder and night sweats). My question is on the high blood pressure. First a little history; in 1962 while in the service I had the pleasure of spending some time in the Trippler mental hospital with some very serious problems. When I got out of the service I ran like hell away from the service just as fast as I could. Not knowing I could receive any help from the VA. In my service files there is no B/P checks of any kind. While in the hospital the service gave me Librium without knowing what my B/P was. My point is I want to file a claim for hypertension and I want to be sure not to screw it up. Since I have gotten out of the service (1962) my first two doctors are dead. The first report I have is 8-9-91 B/P was 142/92. The highest reading BEFORE I was enrolled in the VA system was 174/96. After enrolling in the VA Hospital Fresno I have readings from 198/105 and now getting under control 139/80. How would you go about handling the claim? What kind of evidence do I need. I know there is a loooooong gap between 1962 and 1991. Help

[Billyboy]

Berta,

I wish I had you helping me. The fellow helping just has a lot of his own problems and told me to fill out the form and send it in. I sent all I could think of to the VA. I guess we will just wait and see. The shrink called but her qualification were not good enough, but she referred me to another.

Mssoup1

I wrote to the National Personnel Records Center and requested from VA all medical records. It was necessary to get my congressman involved. I got some from VA Oakland and the rest from the National Personnel Records Center and there is no report showing teeth and no report with any B/P. Please believe me I have looked and looked and looked and no B/P.

Mssoup1, you said:

“It is amazing that when you mention these exam records, contained in their SMR's, the number of veterans who have no idea of what you are talking about. Some don't even realize they exist, but could potentially help them support their claim”

Where else can I go to find these records?

[mssoup1]

BillyBoy,

The forms I spoke of was contained in my husbands SMR's. The top of the form reads "Report of Medical Examination" At the upper left hand corner it reads "Standard Form 88" In the upper right hand corner it reads "68-109" This is about all I have on this form. This was used when he was given his entrance exam and his separation exam. The same forms were used for both. My husband could not enter or leave the military until these exams were done and these are the forms they used to sign off on his medical condition. I did confuse you on one part. The form does not show a picture of teeth. About 3/4 of the way down the page it says Dental and lists, by number, each tooth. The examiner is to use an X or more than one X to show any problems with any teeth. On the second page of the form, Item 57 shows "Blood Pressure" It shows his blood pressure reading in the A section, which is in the sitting position. This form also shows exams performed (ha ha) for just about everything, i.e., eyes, pulse, blood pressure, eyes, hearing, defect and diagnosis, scars, color of eyes, color of hair, build, height, weight and on the front page there are items 18 thru 43 which lists various exams which were performed and whether they were normal or abnormal. The first page also shows his name, address, Id No, date of examination, purpose of examination, place of birth, date of birth, examining facility, etc.

Even though throughout my husbands SMR's there was never a blood pressure reading taken whenever he was treated for anything, his blood pressure was normal on his entrance exam, but was high on his separation exam. We used this as evidence of his having blood pressure problems before he separated from the military. Also, the fact that he was started on HBP meds not long after he was discharged. His C & P exam more or less agreed with this, but we have not heard anything back from the RO on this claim, so I am not sure how it will be decided. Hope it goes in our favor, but who knows.

Maybe someone else can also shed some light as to the forms that I am speaking of to give you more indication of what to look for or where to send for it.

mssoup1

[Billyboy]

Mssoup1, never got a thing like that. I have no papers any where that show any B/P. I asked Oakland VA about my medical records and I thought they sent me all?????? The national records sent their set so what is a person to do. How does one go about filing a claim for high B/P when the first one I have is Aug 91? Could I put this back on the VA or will I hear the same old crap that I have not proved my case? Any ideas?

[Billyboy]

Does any one know if the DSM IV is on line?

[Guest allanopie]

DSM-IV and Diagnostic Resources

http://mysite.verizon.net/res7oqx1/id17.html

Edited April 12, 2006 by allanopie

[Moe]

Billyboy, I don't know what happened in your case but I spent 23 years in uniform and evertime I went to any medical service, even in Nam, the first thing they did was take temp and BP.

Are you saying they never put a BP cuff on you or you don't see any readings in your records??