hypertension Is A Nod Warranted With These Reasons On My Dic Claim?

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

On 02/22/10 Rockman originally filed for :

IHD

Hypertension

Chronic Lung Disease

When we were in Memphis on 05/19/10, we stoppped by the Tn VSO at the VA and talked to the guy. He then sent a fax and a letter stating that David's condition was terminal and he had a very short life span.

So now for the 05/19/10 date, it shows we filed:

Pulmonary Fibrosis (new)

This was what we thought was included in the original filing with the DAV on 02/22/10, so this changed the EED.

Now to 09/29/11- we filed for an increase (David left his job on 08/05/11), so he was not working. They listed:

IHD (increase)

PTSD ( increase)

Hypertension ( now claimed as pulmonary hypertension) secondary to IHD) ( reopen)

Individual unemployability (new)

I cannot get the file to attach- so I will have to type what it says. darn..

REASONS FOR DECISION

1. SERVICE CONNECTION FOR THE CAUSE OF DEATH.

"The death certiificate documents that the veteran passed away September 2, 2012. The cause of death is shown as cardiac arrest due to systolic heart failure due to pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary fibrosis.During the veteran's lifetime, service connection was properly established for multiple conditions including coronary artery disease evaluated at 100 percent disabling. When a service connected condition affects a vital organ and is evaluated at 100 percent, debilitation may be assumed. Based on the evidence, there is a contributing relationship between the listed cause of death and the veteran's service connected coronary artery disease."

They have previously denied :

Hypertension

then the Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Would any of this tie the conditions that they denied to maybe be considered as secondary to IHD?

I did not know if I shoulld file a NOD or is it just no point to it? If I do, I have to have in Nashville by 03/01/13.

Any help would be greatfully appreciated.

[mrs rockman (widow of vet)]

It sounds like you might have reason to file for at least the earlier EDD. On the other hand, the VA may try to say that the claims died with the veteran.

I don't think there would be anything to loose by filing an NOD for an earlier EDD, and see what happens.

I am thinking technically, since VA has never acknowledged the Pulmonary Fibrosis or the PH as connected to AO, I now cannot see how they would try and link them all together and Scd them all. So what would be the earlier EED be on if they will not acknowledge the other two conditions?

Sorry, lost in Tennessee

Celia