hypertension Need To File Claim - Lots Of Confustion

[chr49]

Sorry this is so long. I'm 61 - Vietnam Vet and I'm currently rated 50% PTSD.

I have the following diagnoses on private and VA records:

. R leg PVD- with superficial femoral occlusion per private hospital-2002

. L leg PVD- for which had angioplasty/stent per VAMC -2008

. R carotid occlusion per ultrasound(told inoperable)VAMC -2008

. L carotid stenosis per ultrasound VAMC -2008

. Hypertension - since 2005 per private & VA records

. ED - since 2002 per private & VA records

Private hospital records from 2002 show a diagnosis of 440.0 Aortic Atherosclerosis and 440.21 Ath Ext NTV AT w Claudct on my Diagnosis Summary. Procedures were: Contrast Aortogram & Contrast Arteriogram-leg. The Contrast aortogram findings: " Single right & left renal arteries are widely patent. There is slight atherosclerosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. There is no appreciable infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. There is no moderate or severe stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta." It then goes into description of the Arteriogram which shows a greater than 20 cm occlusion.

Since then, I have gone thru several tests and procedures with the VA, for which I have not received records at this point.

Several questions: Should I file any of the above diagnosis's secondary to my PTSD? Do I have a claim for IHD? Should I simply let it all go? I believe the fact that I avoided all medical care from my discharge in '71 - '98 would make a claim difficult to prove.

I would really appreciate any advice I can get since I have very little knowledge on filing VA claims.

Note: I do not have health insurance so it would be very difficult for me to work outside the VA right now.

Edited July 21, 2010 by chr49

[JustPLS]

Sorry this is so long. I'm 61 - Vietnam Vet and I'm currently rated 50% PTSD.

I have the following diagnoses on private and VA records:

. R leg PVD- with superficial femoral occlusion per private hospital-2002

. L leg PVD- for which had angioplasty/stent per VAMC -2008

. R carotid artery occlusion per carotid ultrasound(told inoperable)VAMC -2008

. L carotid artery stenosis per carotid ultrasound VAMC -2008

. Hypertension - since 2005 per private & VA records

. ED - since 2002 per private & VA records

Private hospital records from 2002 show a diagnosis of 440.0 Aortic Atherosclerosis and 440.21 Ath Ext NTV AT w Claudct on my Diagnosis Summary. Procedures were: Contrast Aortogram & Contrast Arteriogram-leg. The Contrast aortogram findings: " Single right & left renal arteries are widely patent. There is slight atherosclerosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. There is no appreciable infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. There is no moderate or severe stenosis of the infrarenal abdominal aorta." It then goes into description of the Arteriogram which shows a greater than 20 cm occlusion.

Since then, I have gone thru several tests and procedures with the VA, for which I have not received records at this point.

Several questions: Should I file any of the above diagnosis's secondary to my PTSD? Do I have a claim for IHD? Should I simply let it all go? I believe the fact that I avoided all medical care from my discharge in '71 - '98 would make a claim difficult to prove.

I would really appreciate any advice I can get since I have very little knowledge on filing VA claims.

Note: I do not have health insurance so it would be very difficult for me to work outside the VA right now.

Clair, from what I read of the proposed regs for the new AO presumptives, it seems like a clear-cut IHD claim. I believe you stand a better chance with that than with a claim secondary to PTSD. Good luck,

Pat

[gp747]

*****************************

Skunk, tomato juice is expensive...... but your worth it...

people can read this file and see what diseases and what ratings the VA will most likley use....

Well when i read your story,it brought me to my senses.

[vperl]

Well when i read your story,it brought me to my senses.

****************8

Senses, I got no skinking senses....

I is old crazy vet

[chr49]

Thanks to all.....you are the greatest!

Edited March 28, 2010 by chr49

[chr49]

Clair, from what I read of the proposed regs for the new AO presumptives, it seems like a clear-cut IHD claim. I believe you stand a better chance with that than with a claim secondary to PTSD. Good luck,

Pat

Thanks Pat!

Sometimes it's hard to know which way to turn. Appreciate the advice.

[chr49]

Senses, I got no skinking senses....

I is old crazy vet

Skunk and vperl!

Thanks for the laughs...I needed them!