hypertension New Ailment Found During C&p Exam

[Wartorn]

During a recent C&P exam for my initial claim I was found to have Hypertension. This was news to me and I am glad that I am aware of it but it wasn’t one of my original contentions. Is this something that the VA will add into my claim this time around or will I have to wait until the dust settles on my initial claim and then file a new claim with this new ailment? I am still under a year out from retiring.

I do have a claim in for Anxiety, would the fact that I now have Hypertension strengthen that claim or maybe be secondary to it?

I appreciate any guidance on this, Thank you.

[Chuck75]

To me a prescription for Lipitor shows a primary concern for potential heart related problems. It is not usually considered a primary drug for control of HBP. The other issue is that the effectiveness of Lipitor can vary quite a bit from one to another, based upon genetics. I have taken this drug for quite a few years.

Thanks for the advice folks. I am in the middle of my C&P exam process. I had the first of two exams, 12 days ago, that’s when my BP readings alarmed the medical folks and I had to complete the 4 day, multi arm checks. All four days readings came back in the hypertension ranges, I realize that it is not a conclusive medical diagnoses but the evidence does appear to lean that way. Looking through my med records I do have significant evidence showing a long history of HB readings throughout my time in service, just no diagnoses from a medical professional, they just threw Lipitor at me.

I have more C&P exams in the next few days for other contentions so according to what I am reading this may still have a chance of making it into my claim.

I have sought out a private Doctor to address this issue because I have become kind of attached to my heart and wouldn’t mind if it continues to do its job.

I appreciate all of the input.

Edited January 26, 2012 by Chuck75

[Pete53]

I am convinced that if I was not taking Zocor (Simvastatin) for 8 years I would be dead. I actually had to beg to get it. I take 40 ng a day religiously and have good cholesterol readings. When I started taking the meds iwas 225 to 250 and now I am 100 to 125.

[71M10]

Hey folks let me start off with stating in general Statins are good (lipitor, generics ect.).

But you have to watch what your docs are doing. I have never had really HIGH cholesterol only been over the screening line by 10-20 points. So because of my hypertension and cardiomegaly doctor decides to put me on high dose statin to ward off future problems. Cholesterol numbers are looking really good on the tests, but I start having problems with plantair fasciatis, muscle twitching achillies tendon... I suspect it is related to the statins ( a little on-line research) so we talk, he looks at the tests agrees my numbers were never really bad. We discontinue the statins my problems get better (although foot problems are lingering). We then put me back on a low dose (1/4 what it was).

I guess the word of advice here is don't be sheepoles.