hypertension My Introduction

[chr49]

I spent 36 years trying hard to deny any connection to the VA. In 2007, a kind man convinced me that I was dealing with PTSD and needed to be seen by a professional. I entered a VAMC in August 2007, while hitting my bottom, and have been under their care since then. I filed claim for PTSD in February 2008 and am currently SC'ed for PTSD at 50%. Along with my PTSD, I deal with hypertension, bilateral peripheral vascular disease with occlusion of my right femoral artery and carotid stenosis with occlusion of my right carotid artery. I am not SC'ed for these problems at this time.

I've been searching thru Hadit for information and support. Since I've spent so many years denying everything it's been very hard to go back to thinking about it nearly every day. Thank you so much for providing this wonderful site for vets to research and learn about our options.

[pacmanx1]

Welcome to hadit

Hope the best for you and yours

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit and although its not an easy journey at least there are people who understand you and are willing to help. Just being able to get stuff out is a big help in my opinion.

[jbasser]

Welcome to HAdit, If you have Cartoriod Stenosis your chancesd of having Heart disease is 90 to 99 percent. There is a conection with pTSD, HTN and heart disease. Igf you are an in country RVN vet then heart disease may be a presumptive condition.

J

[john999]

How about diabetes? I think you need some tests on your heart for sure. If you have those problems with your legs then you could have the same problems in your heart and brain. You should do the full court press to get these conditions SC'ed any way you can do it.

[chr49]

Welcome to HAdit, If you have Cartoriod Stenosis your chancesd of having Heart disease is 90 to 99 percent. There is a conection with pTSD, HTN and heart disease. Igf you are an in country RVN vet then heart disease may be a presumptive condition.

J

I'd like to thank everybody for your kind messages. I find your information quite interesting. Yes, I was in an in country RVN in '70-'71:

Btry C 2d BN 319 Arty 101st Div (AMBL) RVN USARPAC

Btry B 2d BN 319 Arty 101st ABN Div (AMBL) RVN USARPAC

MOS: 1193

My plan at this point, thanks to Hadit, is to get my hands on all of my medical records and my C-file so I can go over everything thoroughly. I'm new to all of this so I'm sure there will be lots of work to do.

As far as heart disease goes. I have some concern because I started smoking while in the service and although I've tried everything possible to quit, I've never been completely successful. I'm afraid the fact that I still smoke occasionally (1/2 pack/week) will prevent me from being SC'ed on any heart or vascular disease. I've been clean and sober since 1992 and can honestly say that it was not as difficult as quitting smoking. I've always been overweight in the VA's eyes but I've varied very little since my separation so I may be OK on that. My biggest problem is the fact that, due to my PTSD, I avoided any/all medical care until 1998. I don't believe I had a medical exam when I was released in '71 but I could be wrong on that.

As far as diabetes goes, thankfully, I've never been diagnosed. I can only remember have an elevated blood sugar twice since 1998 and I think I had a mint candy prior to my blood work one of those times.

Thanks for making me feel welcome.

[trailblazer]

Welcome to hadit and thanks for your service. Dealing with the the va is not easy but the battle can be won with the help of knowledgable people and you found them here at hadit. I wish you the best of luck with the va in the future.