Before I begin, I want to admit that these are probably dumb questions. As a geek, I have spent many many hours trying to research and understand, but I just must be dense because I haven’t met with any success.
Here goes:
A medication which I receive from the VAMC for the service-connected condition that underlies my 34 year-old TDUI P&T VA rating and SSDI determination is known to cause some patients to experience Myocardial Ischemia. During the past several months, I have been experiencing a severe pain that feels like someone has reached under my ribcage grabbed my heart and is squeezing so hard that it feels like my heart is about burst open. Accompanying this pain is a burning sensation under my ribcage along a line starting just above my right nipple and extending to my left armpit.
The two pains can and do occur separately. The “heart pain” can happen anytime including when I am asleep and usually lasts for several hours. The “burning pain” sometimes last for days. If I use the VA medication as directed, the “heart pain” starts within about 10 minutes and lasts longer and is much more intense than when it happens without the medication. During the “heart pain” without having used the medication my blood pressure rises dramatically 140-150/85-90; and with the medication my BP goes off the charts into the very dangerous zone (155-161/102-110). In the absence of both the medication and the pain my normal BP is 90-100/65-75.
Two recent ECGs show “possible atrial enlargement.” All prior ECGs (ten years worth) are normal.
Here is where my confusion begins: Is myocardial ischemia just one type of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), or is it a separate condition? If it is IHD (I believe it is but am not sure) how would I claim it? IHD is an Agent Orange presumptive (have confirmed stressors and combat decorations) and damage done by VA medications can be the basis of a valid claim.
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GuaymasJim
Before I begin, I want to admit that these are probably dumb questions. As a geek, I have spent many many hours trying to research and understand, but I just must be dense because I haven’t met with any success.
Here goes:
A medication which I receive from the VAMC for the service-connected condition that underlies my 34 year-old TDUI P&T VA rating and SSDI determination is known to cause some patients to experience Myocardial Ischemia. During the past several months, I have been experiencing a severe pain that feels like someone has reached under my ribcage grabbed my heart and is squeezing so hard that it feels like my heart is about burst open. Accompanying this pain is a burning sensation under my ribcage along a line starting just above my right nipple and extending to my left armpit.
The two pains can and do occur separately. The “heart pain” can happen anytime including when I am asleep and usually lasts for several hours. The “burning pain” sometimes last for days. If I use the VA medication as directed, the “heart pain” starts within about 10 minutes and lasts longer and is much more intense than when it happens without the medication. During the “heart pain” without having used the medication my blood pressure rises dramatically 140-150/85-90; and with the medication my BP goes off the charts into the very dangerous zone (155-161/102-110). In the absence of both the medication and the pain my normal BP is 90-100/65-75.
Two recent ECGs show “possible atrial enlargement.” All prior ECGs (ten years worth) are normal.
Here is where my confusion begins: Is myocardial ischemia just one type of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), or is it a separate condition? If it is IHD (I believe it is but am not sure) how would I claim it? IHD is an Agent Orange presumptive (have confirmed stressors and combat decorations) and damage done by VA medications can be the basis of a valid claim.
I would appreciate any input!
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