What Is Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings

What is Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease and how do you get it because I was recently diagnosed with it.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

Chronic Microvascular ischemia is usually found on an MRI of the brain.

My husband had this due to ischemic heart disease as consequence of untreated DMII.

There is a lot of info on the net about this condition.In his case it was also called transcient ischemia.

I can't tell from your post and am not doctor -but I assume this finding was from MRI and not regarding your heart. ?

Are you a Vietnam incountry veteran?

Do you have ischemic heart disease?

If so you should file a claim under the new AO presumptives.Info in our AO forum.

[Berta]

forgot -and add this type of ischemia to the claim for secondary rating if in fact it is due to any ischemic heart disease.

This will take medical evidence of the nexus of the brain ischemia to any heart ischemia and then again, there could be some other etiology or cause for this- not related to your heart.

Was this a VA diagnosis?

What treatment did they suggest?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

Yes! My Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease was discovered during a brain MRI. My VA Provider told me that I have a history of mini strokes...scared the heck out of me because I didin't know that until I had the brain MRI. I am service connected for High Blood Pressure and a number of other aliments. I put a claim in for DMII, PN, and other aliments related to Hep C and three failed Interferon treatments. I've also included mini strokes in this claim. I was recently awarded 20% service connected for "Chronic Duodenitis with Gastric Meteplasia and Villi Atrophy consistent with Celiac Disease associated with Hepatitis C." My next C&P is scheduled for 6 Jan 2011. Also, in 1970 and 1972, I spent two tours in Thailand (Korat and NKP)... I only spent a couple hours on the ground in Vietnam enroute to NKP. I submitted an Agent Orange claim but it was denied. I submitted an NOD which is still in Appeal Status.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

Edited December 11, 2010 by chiefhouse00 (see edit history)

[Berta]

"I am service connected for High Blood Pressure" You should claim the mini strokes as secondary to the HBP. They will rate on the residuals you have from them.Thus could be memory problems, confusion, visual problems, even balance problems.etc

Also if you can prove you stepped onto Vietnamese soil or that your MOS put to on the sprayed perimeter of any Thailand base, the VA would SC the DMII and the mini strokes could also be claimed secondary to the DMII as well if there is atherosclerotic involvement due to DMII.

We have the new Thailand vet C & P bulletin and a wealth of info on Thailand and when and where AO was used there in our AO forum here.Many Thailand vets have succeeded proving exposure to AO byproving their MOS put them on or near sprayed perimeters of bases in Thailand.

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

Thanks for this advice. I will submit a claim for mini strokes as secondary to the High Blood Pressure (HBP). My HBP was rated 10% when I got out in 1999. My MOS (Fuels Specialist) put my on the flightline and sprayed perimeter areas servicing aircraft and equipment at NKP and Korat AB Thailand in 1970 and 1972. I have provided more military documents for that time period on my appeal because the original claim was denied. This service-connected claim process is very tedious and requires a tremendous amount of patience. I have the will-power and patience to see this through the end. Again, Berta thanks for giving me this valuable advice. Smile!

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

"I put a claim in for DMII, PN, and other aliments related to Hep C and three failed Interferon treatments.

You could add that you believe your AO exposure caused the DMII as well and any DMII secondarys.

We can offer VA any potential reason to SC, and use more then one reason.

I am glad you are wiling to do the leg work to prove your exposure to AO.

Info a BVA case here :

VA release on Thailand claims:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/thailand.asp

One thing I have noticed regarding successful Thailand AO vet's claims is that the veteran gave clear details as to their MOS and exactly how that put them on the sprayed perimeters.

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

Here are some of the aliments that I have submitted for service connection:

- Neuropsychological Adverse Conditions (Stroke) Secondary to Chronic Hepatitis-C and the prescribed medication (Interferon and Ribavirin)

- Diabetes Mellitus (DMII) Secondary to Chronic Hepatitis C and the prescribed medication (Interferon and Ribavirin)

- Chronic Fatigue Secondary to Chronic Hepatitis C and the prescribed medication (Interferon and Ribavirin) used to treat this service-connected disability

- Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) Secondary to Chronic Hepatitis C and Diabetes Mellitus (secondary to Hep-C). My Peripheral Neuropathy condition which affects

all four extremities has been confirmed by military doctors and Veterans Administration C&P examiners.

- Chronic Arthritis Secondary to Chronic Hepatitis C and prescribed medication (Interferon and Ribavirin).

Also, I have some good MRI, CP Scans, and military medical records that may be helpful in linking my mini strokes. My C&P is next month.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

Provng exposure to AO would certainly help with the DMII claim and possibly the CVA and PN.

But hinging on Hep C as cause of some of these (or Hep C Treatment as cause )will take medical evidence of the connection.

Are you already service connected for Hepatitis?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

Yes! I'm 20% service connected for Hep C and underwent three treatment sessions with no success. It's seems to be very difficult getting hard and clear evidence from doctors to support my my list of aliments. There are a lot of medical studies on the severe side effects of the treatment cocktails used to treat people with Hep C. I'm hopeful that my upcoming C&P goes well and my pending Appeal for Agent Orange. Any advice you give will be helpful. Thanks

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

f you get a copy of the upcoming C & P as soon as possible- you will have better idea of what to expect from VA as well as what evidence you might still need.

You mentioned Interferon and Ribavirin as prescribed for the Hep and as also causing additional problems.

Do you have some good internet medical printouts to support that?

If so have you attempted to get a ball park IMO estimate?

I found in dealing with IMO docs , that when they saw my evidence was very probative, they were quick to do an IMO as I had already supported the claim well medically.

But still the results of a C & P could potentially help you claim and if not- probably help a IMO doc considerably if the C & P is deficient medically.

I think it is grossly unfair than any veteran should have the burden of an IMO's cost-yet some are free from treating private doctors.

Still- best to see what the C & P will reveal- have you been scheduled yet for that?

I paid for a 4th IMO and then suddenly got my award letter in the mail so in that case I jumped the gun because I didn't think the VA would accept my medical lay knock down of a deficient C & P they did.

I was wrong- the BVA rejected the whole C & P because it was speculative and considered my response to it which was medically accurate.

They did accept my lay medical evidence for awards of my originals claims and for my FTCA case -after an ordeal of course-but this time I took no chances and had plenty of IMOs.

You might not need an IMO.

Has any doctor suggested and then documented that these drugs have caused you additional disabilities?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

My next C&P exam will be for the Digestive System, Musculoskeletal System, Gall Bladder, and Pancreatis. I was recently awarded 20% for Chronic Duodenitis with Gastric Meteplasia and Villi Atrophy consistent with Celiac Disease because of Hepatitis C and Interferon treatement. I'm gathering my medical evidences for this upcoming C&P. This will be the four C&P for this claim which I submitted in 2009. This claim was in and out of the Decision Phase twice so I hope this one will be the last. Any assistance you can recommend will be appreciated. Enjoy the Holiday Season and God Bless our Troops and Veterans.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

"because of Hepatitis C and Interferon treatement."

Wow -you can build on that!

Was this a secondary SC award or did they award under Section 1151,38 USC?

[chiefhouse00]

Greeting Berta

My Chronic Duodenitis with Gastric Meteplasia and Villi Atrophy consistent with Celiac Disease condition was rated secondary to Hep C.

I have been doing a lot of reading on Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease and mini strokes. My CT scans and MRI showed a history of mini stokes. I do have high blood pressure (service connected), sleep apnea (service connected), and DMII (being considered for service connection) which could be a prime trigger for my Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease and Mini Stokes. I do have multiple military medical records for emergency care treatment for neck stiffness, body aches, and severe headaches. Each event, I was given treatment but no mention of mini strokes until my last mini stoke event in 2009. Part of the claim I submitted in 2009 included this condition but I have not been notified for a C&P. Maybe it will be rated based on my condition and medical records.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

Either the SC HBP or the DMII could be the cause of the mini strokes.

Mini strokes (transcient ischemia)can cause visual disturbances, extreme dizziness, nausea, severe headache and many other problems when they occur.

My husband's MRIs and CT revealed exactly where his cerebral TIAs occurred and I copied photo of autopsied brain and made a chart for them as to where his TIAs were found as brain damage and then how each area of damage caused him specific residual disability for my past claims.

I dont know how they will rate these residuals- it depends on how the TIAs have affected you- they can affect balance, memory,

vision etc and these are residuals VA would have to rate.

"DMII (being considered for service connection" if this claim is service connected ( are you AO vet)

the diagnosis of the mini strokes might pre date the DMII was diagnosed but not pre date your SC HBP.

When was both of these conditions diagnosed and did the mini strokes follow or dd they show up in your SMRs?

They sound embolic in nature (possibly due to atherosclerosis from the DMII???) and the neck pain was most likely due to the clot going from your heart into the carotid artery.

But I am not a doctor.Just went through years of medical research on these conditions-

do you have any cardiac disease ?

Edited December 19, 2010 by Berta (see edit history)

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

During my last mini stoke event, in 2009, I lost complete control of my legs and arm/hand movement, blurred speech and vision, and my blood sugar and blood pressure were high. I was rushed to the hospital emergency center for care. My last MRI showed major damage in the brain white matter area mainly...I’m still trying to understand the results and impact of this MRI. I dont know how they will rate my residuals of my condtion. They may even deny the claim. I don’t have cardiac disease and I’m a Vietnam Vet. My AO claim is in appeal status right now. Also, my last ultrasound of my right leg showed mild atherosclerosis. I was serviced connected for HBP in 2000.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

"My AO claim is in appeal status right now"

What disability did you claim and why was it denied?

Do you have a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes mellitus?

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

My AO claim for DMII was denied lasy year because I didn't have enough evidence or the right proof to support it. I was diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus II and Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by the VA C&P examiner in Dec 2008. I’m hopeful that all of this will come together soon with a good overall rating from the VA.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

[Berta]

If you mean they denied because there was no proof of exposure to AO-

that is the key element you need to focus on for the DMII claim and any other disability that it has caused.

I thought you were incountry Vietnam veteran.

[chiefhouse00]

Greetings Berta

I was not an incountry Vietnam veteran. I was stationed in Taiwan in 1969 and went TDY to NKP Thailand for four months. In-route from Taiwan to Thailand, we stopped in Vietnam to unload cargo and refuel…on the ground for a few hours. All I have of that TDY are medical records from NKP Hospital for severe stomach pain and the three Vietnam Service Ribbons. I also spent time at Korat AB Thailand in 1972, I got a tour performance report for that assignment. I was a fuels specialist pumping jet fuel to aircraft and ground products to Support Tanks and AGE equipment all around the base.

This go around, I provided the three vietnam ribbons, medical records from NKP Thailand, and tour of duty record for being at Korat AB, Thailand. I didn't have that bit of information before. I hope it helps my case. Berta, I appreicated the time and wisom you have provided. Please have a great Holiday Season. I'll let you know the outcome of my C&P next month. Take Care

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

Edited December 21, 2010 by chiefhouse00 (see edit history)

[jbasser]

Greetings

What is Chronic Microvascular Ischemic Disease and how do you get it because I was recently diagnosed with it.

Best Regards

Chiefhouse

Here is your condition. It is a secondary issue to something. It is caused by Diabetes, Smoking, Cad or a combination of all.

http://www.icyou.com/topics/diseases-conditions/what-chronic-microvascular-ischemic-disease-and-it-curable+-0

It can be treated but there is no cure.

J