ptsd What A Trip! Ao

[ironfaux]

Im a vietnam combat vet from 72 with ptsd that is now 100% p and t

back in oct 06 when i was only 50% i had to get a chest e-xray at bay pines

I hadnt been able to sleep laying down and my feet were swollen ,and i couldnt walk any distance for about a month without having to stop and rest.

anyway after i had the x-ray the attendant said i should stop at the emergency room to have them look at this so i went with the help of a nurse, by this time i was kinda in bad shape.

they did vitals then an ekg and within an hr i was on the 4th floor in the heart center for a week.(sorry to be so long winded)

i was diagnosed with congestive heart failure with an injection fraction of 21 % and artarial fibulation .

my vet counslor advised me to file ,so on oct 19th i did.mo march 12/ 07 i got a letter denying my claim

in oct of this yr i got some paperwork with my name typed on it about agent orange and nemher and if i signed it i would be put on the front of the list for evaluations

once again i called my vet counslor and he told me to not rock the boat and ignore it

i just went to a c and p on nov 15th and on fri .dec 3rd i called the 1-800 number and they said it was at the rater and i should hear in about 2 to 3 weeks about all this. oh and btw i have 100% n/s connected for copd so they say

My question is (finally) what can i expect and i heard about an s code and an n code and a m code can this now help me also

appreciative as always

ironfaux an old grunt and door gunner from the 1/7th cav

[LarryJ]

I don't know about all the rest of your posting, but, I DO KNOW ONE THING. Your "vet counselor" (whomever that may be) is an IDJIT!

...............but, wth do I know?

[Berta]

The VA's medical definition of IHD for VA AO claims purposed is n this post:

They will be looking for evidence and/or documentation of "ischemia"

It is a good idea for these claims to support them with highlighted copies of any medical records you have that emphatically defines your condition as ischemic in nature or fits into the VA definition of IHD if the word Ischemic does not appear in them.

The best source for a IHD diagnosis is from your doctor.

There is a blank C & P form here in this topic for any potential AO IHD vet with private cardio care to have their doctor fill out.

"i called my vet counslor and he told me to not rock the boat and ignore it" this is outrageous!!!!!

What is meant by the SMC code is that if you can succeed on this claim for service connected and if VA rates you at 60% for it, you would be awarded the SMC "S" award.

SMC is Special Monthly Compensation paid in addition to the 100% comp you have now.

[ironfaux]

just found these old progress reports,one was when i asked mckiver about my chf and ptsd and the other is the denial reasons of my claim in oct 06 not lookin so good

please let mr know folks

[ironfaux]

PLEASE DIS REGARD THE OTHER @ ATTACHMENTS< WRONG ONES

[carlie]

iron,

I had to delete your most recent attachments as they had

your name, address and VA Claim # on them.

You'll need to make a copy - without that info showing

and re-post it.

[ironfaux]

hi all,

I just spoke to the 1-800 number at bay pines and they told me my file went to the rater on dec 14th so I guess its just a matter of a little more time and I'll know the good or bad news in ??? , thanks for all the moral support

[john999]

Iron

If you have IHD it should be good news. If you still have a DX of congestive heart failure that could be a problem. IHD and congestive heart failure is not the same. Your service officer is really ignorant and should be out of a job. Just hang in and see what happens. If you are at least 160% you should be getting SMC "S". If you did not get it that is a error.

[N4XV]

hi all,

I just spoke to the 1-800 number at bay pines and they told me my file went to the rater on dec 14th so I guess its just a matter of a little more time and I'll know the good or bad news in ??? , thanks for all the moral support

Not meaning to bust any bubbles but I called the 800# on Monday. My claim is also at Bay Pines and they told me mine has been with the rater since Oct. 12th. Mine is one of the more complicated claims so I don't expect to hear anything from the VA until mid to late Feb.

[ironfaux]

I'm sorry but I dont know what DX means???

and when i was at bay pines 2 weeks ago i spoke to a vet counselor and he told me my c.o.p.d. would help it along.

let me know please.

[N4XV]

DX = diagnoses

[ironfaux]

duh, thanks

now I dont know how or what to think,they told me i was gonna have a weak xmas but a great new year concerning my claim

considering I didnt reopen the claim , they did i figured I was gonna get some justice finally, oh well.

[Berta]

John is right- CHF is not IHD but review your medical records carefully to see if there is any evidence of cardiac ischemia.

http://www4.va.gov/vetapp10/files1/1003123.txt

[Berta]

“I'm sorry but I dont know what DX means???

and when i was at bay pines 2 weeks ago i spoke to a vet counselor and he told me my c.o.p.d. would help it along.

let me know please. “

COPD can have a proven inservice cause:

"In a November 1997 written statement, the Veteran advanced that

he had been exposed to methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), asbestos, and

dust during active service. He reported that he had smoked about

two packs of cigarettes per day during that period."

http://www4.va.gov/vetapp10/files4/1031986.txt

VA is very quick to use a history of smoking as cause of COPD and deny the claim.

The above vet however had significant information to support his claim and service connection was granted.

Other vets have proven exposure to asbestos and other causes in service for their COPD.

It is not easy as VA not only will use a smoking history against them ( the main cause of COPD in the medical community)

as well as any post service occupation that could have caused the COPD and would rule out any service connected cause.

I see you are 100% now- are you requesting SMC?

[ironfaux]

thx for all the info and no,i'm not filing for smc because I thought you needed to be at 100% on one and 60% min on another to get it.

btw does non service connected count or is it just sc ?