Ihd/congestive Heart Failure/atrial Fibrilliation

[vetswifeIndy]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and not sure how it works.

My husband was recently awarded 60% for his IHD. In the last

4 mos. his condition has worsened and he now has a pacemaker/

defrillator due to atrial fibrilliation and congestive heart failure

With recommendation from his doctors for home oxygen.(not yet approved

by board)

My question is: just this week he received appt. dates for medical

evaluation for his IHD. Should we file claims for the AF and CHF or

will the doctor contracted by VA to do the evaluating include the new

issues in his report? I've read many post here, and we are afraid they

may try to reduce his 60% rating to much less. Any insight would be

helpful. Thanks so much.

[VetsLady]

VetsWifeIndy ....

I don't know the answer to your question but I do want to welcome you to Hadit. I am certain someone with the answer you need will stop by and post, I wanted to say hello and welcome you.

I am sorry your husband (and you) are dealing with health issues such as this. Please thank him for his service and, thank you for assisting and supporting him.

[jvretiredvet]

It shouldn't be necessary to "file" claims but it won't hurt to do so.

However, if the A-fib and CHF become service connected, your husband would not receive separate evaluations for them. Rather, there will be one cardiac evaluation.

It is key though, to make sure that the examiner - or your husband's cardiologist - links the A-fib and the CHF to his service connected IHD.

Hi, I'm new to the forum and not sure how it works.

My husband was recently awarded 60% for his IHD. In the last

4 mos. his condition has worsened and he now has a pacemaker/

defrillator due to atrial fibrilliation and congestive heart failure

With recommendation from his doctors for home oxygen.(not yet approved

by board)

My question is: just this week he received appt. dates for medical

evaluation for his IHD. Should we file claims for the AF and CHF or

will the doctor contracted by VA to do the evaluating include the new

issues in his report? I've read many post here, and we are afraid they

may try to reduce his 60% rating to much less. Any insight would be

helpful. Thanks so much.

[jbasser]

Ischemic heart disease damages the heart and the electrons in the heart go haywire.

The ICD your husband received is an automatic 100 percent rating so file this claim for increase now.

Have your husbands Electrophysiologist write a small statement stating that the Ischemic heart disease led to his need for an ICD.

Dont wait do it asap.

JBasser

[Capt.]

Hello ,,,, You are fortunate that your husband has the 60 percent for the IHD. JBasser is correct too....you will get that increased to 100 percent because of the defib ,,,ICD that is specifically listed in the ratings of the 38 CFR under Heart.

I would also get a letter linking the ICD to the IHD just to make sure like JBasser said. It just means less of a chance for the Regional Office to be able to wiggle out of it. I would also get that filed ASAP so as to protect your start date and get it Service Connected so your BIG Benefits will start.

I am still trying to link the IHD and other problems to Service Connected and am going to BVA on mine. This was expected ...... so when I see a post like yours and you are Service Connected to IHD it makes me hopeful . Though I am outside Vietnam ,,,,AO is the BIG problem as many of our members are aware of and have to battle also because of the little known list of bases and thoses yet to be added. (See my previous post on AO section for that list).

I also want to welcome you to the BEST place for Veterans to be. It is a family and home to many of us here and we stick together and LEAVE NOONE BEHIND....... Please remember that no matter what happens that you and your husband.......NEVER GIVE UP. God Bless, C.C.

Edited April 2, 2012 by Capt.Contaminate

[vetswifeIndy]

I want to thank you all for the guidance and encouragement it does get nerve racking waiting for

the answer to your claim.

We picked up my husband's medical records today from his last stay in VA hosp. last month, when the ICD was implanted.

On the diagnosis page of one of the reports from the Cardiologist it listed CAD, under that it said, secondary:

AFib, CHF. I would guess this to mean they are linking the Afib and CHF to the CAD? Looking for opinions.

[jbasser]

That is basically what I told you in my first reply.

Now as Larry the Cable Guy says Git R Done.

The CAD is the underlying cause of his Afib and t he need for the ICD,

Hang in there.

BAsser