hypertension 0% On Hypertension Claim

[Geo4K]

Hi All, I feel that the 0% rating they gave me is low. The following are my thoughts as to why. Did I cover everything?

As always - thank you all for your time and thoughts - George

On my 22 June 2010 claim for Hypertension, I was rated a 0% SC due to the “low” reading of my diastolic pressure. Unfortunately, this decision was not based on all the information that was available. Since I was anticipating a C & P exam, I elected to bring a sheet of several readings with me to the exam. Despite my phone calls to the VA C & P office to ascertain an appointment date and 2 stops to the VA office on Gold St, I was never told that my exam would be passed over for just a records review. I was waiting, in good faith, for an appointment. Here are the additional facts (with supporting documentation) I wish you to consider for a full 10% award.

I was initially made aware of my high blood pressure during my first C & P exam at the VA on January 4, 2010. It was 164/114. I made an appointment immediately with my PCP at Presbyterian Healthcare Rio Rancho, you have these records. On January 5 a reading was taken by the Federal Occupational Health (FOH) RN at my worksite (new evidence/documentation attached), it was 150/110. On January 6 a reading of 160/110 was taken at Presbyterian for my first visit for my BP. On this day my PCP prescribed a daily dose of 25 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). I started taking this dose the very next day on January 7th. FOH took a reading of 140/104 on January 12. I feel that my body was starting to adjust to the medication at this point. The following readings and dates were recorded by FOH: Jan 19 = 134/92, Jan 21 = 132/90, Feb 11 = 140/100, Feb 16 = 118/80, Feb 23 = 140/100. Any reading of my blood pressure after this date will be influenced by my medications. On February 23, I was prescribed 10 mg of Lisinopril in addition to the 25 mg of HCTZ and on 30 March the dose was increased to 20 mg of Lisinopril and 25 mg HCTZ.

My blood pressure is now well controlled by these medications. I feel that the evidence cited above clearly shows that without them, my diastolic pressure would be predominantly above 100, and my systolic pressure would be in the 160+ to 150 range. In order to offer more proof, I’d have to stop my medications and let my blood pressure rise back to those unhealthy levels – something neither you nor I should ever consider.

Most of the readings you cited show me already under the care of my physician and the medicine prescribed to me, therefore, a poor indicator of my true state of hypertension. Please revisit your decision, consider my first series of readings in early January, prior to the medication and the others as I was adapting and progressing towards a healthy level. I am asking you to award the appropriate rating of 10% for my hypertension claim. Thank you for your attention to this.

[Geo4K]

If you have chronic pain you can get compensated for that. Also chronic pain and depression go hand in hand. You can get compensated for that.

Yes, thank you J. That is the route I am going to take. At least the VA did SC the hypertension. With the vertigo, migraines and depression I am hoping to get into the 50% zone after all the dust settles. I am also going to try to get the VA to better the 0% on the left shoulder. I have so much pain in both sides, all the time, that I feel 0% is not commensurate to the pain. It all radiates from my neck. I'll ask my Doc to do a ROM on that joint and see how it goes. During my last meeting with the DAV, my counselor about jumped over her desk at me when I said that I just pushed through the pain for my last ROM exam... I mean, I can move it around, I just hurt real bad after a certain point. She said "YOU NEVER DO THAT!" I knew no better.

I'll keep with the updates, so that others may learn from what I go through and I'll keep reading. This is a wonderful resource.

Thanks all,

George.

PS: My avatar is of George C Scott in the movie "Dr Strangelove" Great flick and GC Scott was so funny in his role. Best Wishes, all.

[john999]

Do you see a psychiatrist and do you use the VA pain clinic? You want to go to these clinics and get the depression and chronic pain documented. The VA operates on documentation.

[halos2]

Don't ever tell the VA any condition is conditroled with medication. Not ever. Not a good idea. jmho.

[Geo4K]

Do you see a psychiatrist and do you use the VA pain clinic? You want to go to these clinics and get the depression and chronic pain documented. The VA operates on documentation.

John... I just figured out, after some talk with friends, that I must be depressed. It's taken me (and them) a while to accept it. I said stuff like, I have a total lack of enthuseisum, I no longer care to do certain things, I sleep - nap - alot. Almost every day, after work, I'll go to the back of the house and sleep. It makes the day end faster. I find that I really have to work not to get ticked-off around the house, but when I do, it takes me forever to get "un-mad." i guess it's a bitter pill for me to swallow, but it is what it is. When I meet with my PCP, I'll bring it up with him and as for a referal.

OK, do I need to see a VA pain clinic? I have a doc through Tricare as my PCP. Does the documentation have to be through the VA? They are 35 miles away, and my tricare doc is just 5 miles from my house. He seems willing to treat me for all my pain. That's why I selected him, for his experience in sports medicinem, etc.

[Geo4K]

Don't ever tell the VA any condition is conditroled with medication. Not ever. Not a good idea. jmho.

Even though the VA may play their games, I can not keep the truth from them... I don't know anyother way to state the facts of my case/claim. I had high BP, got on meds and now its not high. I value all opinions here, but in this case, I just don't see how I could have stated my case any other way...