Question About Cholesterol And Heart Conditions

[Shalia]

I have a question on behalf of my boyfriend.

When he was in the Army 15 years or so ago, he was diagnosed with high cholesterol, and given a minimum dose of a statin. When he got out, he was told cholesterol was hereditary and he didn't qualify for VA compensation.

Since then, however, he's had two heart attacks, and the doctors have told him that inadequate treatment of his cholesterol problem when it was found are likely responsible. I'm trying to find out if that would qualify him for VA benefits or not? Is there a way to find out? You guys are always so smart here I figured I'd ask. =)

Thanks!

Shalia

[jerrbilly]

The VA is partly wrong on this. I have high cholesterol due to meds I take for my service connected condition. I made sure my doctor documented this in my records in case I have a heart attach or develop cardiovascular disease. I found out the VA will not service connect just for high cholesterol but will for conditions caused by high lipids.

In his case, if he has in his records somewhere that his parents have high cholesterol he won't get service connected since it would be hereditary in his situation. If he had another condition at the time of diagnosis of high lipids and you suspect this might have been causing the high lipid condition then you might have a case. In all general sense though, If you don't have an underlying condition that's causing the high lipids then it's a long shot at best.

Hope this helps,

Jerr

I have a question on behalf of my boyfriend.

When he was in the Army 15 years or so ago, he was diagnosed with high cholesterol, and given a minimum dose of a statin. When he got out, he was told cholesterol was hereditary and he didn't qualify for VA compensation.

Since then, however, he's had two heart attacks, and the doctors have told him that inadequate treatment of his cholesterol problem when it was found are likely responsible. I'm trying to find out if that would qualify him for VA benefits or not? Is there a way to find out? You guys are always so smart here I figured I'd ask. =)

Thanks!

Shalia

[Shalia]

Well, if it's not medication related (and it isn't), is there a way to prove that inadequate care of a genetic condition while in resulted in major issues later? His cholesterol when tested was over 400. They gave him the minimum dose of a statin drug, and sent him to Desert Storm. Had he been adequately taken care of at the time, the heart attacks might not have happened. Or at least not when still in his 20's.

Thanks again for any clarification. He's trying to figure out if he should try and apply or not.

[jerrbilly]

Straight up, if you think you need to file, file but this is going to be hard claim to win if you're claiming it was due to inadequate care.

You will have to get a professional opinion stating that the inadequate care (minimum dose of statin) led to later heart attacks (complications)

What did they say caused the heart attacks?

Jerr

Well, if it's not medication related (and it isn't), is there a way to prove that inadequate care of a genetic condition while in resulted in major issues later? His cholesterol when tested was over 400. They gave him the minimum dose of a statin drug, and sent him to Desert Storm. Had he been adequately taken care of at the time, the heart attacks might not have happened. Or at least not when still in his 20's.

Thanks again for any clarification. He's trying to figure out if he should try and apply or not.

[Shalia]

Straight up, if you think you need to file, file but this is going to be hard claim to win if you're claiming it was due to inadequate care.

You will have to get a professional opinion stating that the inadequate care (minimum dose of statin) led to later heart attacks (complications)

What did they say caused the heart attacks?

Jerr

Exactly that... inadequate care of cholesterol at the time. They said he was a ticking time bomb. =/

Thanks!

[jerrbilly]

Well, the thing is when I started on Pravastatin they gave me a very small dose because of the possible side-effects. Then, after about three months, I was boosted up to normal dosage.

You will have to prove to the VA that his heart complications wouldn't have occured with proper dosage. This will be hard to do since his condition was genetic.

This is a hard case. I'm not telling you to not file but this will be a long shot.

Jerr

Exactly that... inadequate care of cholesterol at the time. They said he was a ticking time bomb. =/

Thanks!

[john999]

Did your boy friend continue to take statins after he was diagnosed? You know if you are diagnosed with something like high blood pressure and then are SC'ed for heart disease the VA will resiste making the high blood pressure SC because it was found before the heart disease. This is their mindset so imagine how they will gook at you trying to prove heart attacks happened because a vet was diagnosed 15 years ago with high cholesterol. If he had chest pains or some other cardiovascular condition while he was in service that would be another matter.