Heart Attack And Working Through The Va System

[mcarter985]

Good Morning!

I had a heart attack on the 24th of May and ended up with a single stent. After researching why it happened to me I found the AO tie-in (I was a medic in Viet Nam for a year with the Infantry 1969-70) and filed for disability soon after (a couple of weeks later) with the DAV as my rep. I have my C & P this Monday and will see what I get. I am on meds for the rest of my life so I guess I'll get at least 10% with the METS testing results possibly getting more.

Some of the threads on this forum are heartbreaking with some of the crap veterans are going through with their health through no fault of their own. My own health isn't anywhere as bad and I feel like a wimp compared to some of you but did want to report my efforts to get disability for someone just starting out and not knowing how to start.

I guess this whole process is going quickly...heart attack in May with a C & P Monday. I did submit a Fully Developed Claim (Discharge Summary from the hospital and also gave them my in-patient records from that admission and my DD-214 proving my time in VN) so for me, that seemed to speed up the process.

I'll let you all know on Monday how things went with the C & P!

[mcarter985]

I would not let the VA care for my cardiac condition. Get the best cardiologist in town. You can get compensation from the VA for this heart condition, but not treatment only from the VA. You cannot spend or save compensation if you are not around to access it. I met a guy at the VA hospital who had allowed the VA to do brain surgery on him. He had other insurance, but wanted to save a buck. He needs brain surgery.

John

Actually, my Primary Doctor at the VA told me it would be a big mistake to transfer to VA Cardiology...he wasn't impressed with the caliber of care at the local VA Hospital.

[georgiapapa]

Listen to John999 and your primary doctor.

You do not want to trust the VA with any condition (cardiac condition, cancer, etc.) that could be life threatening.

Good luck with your health and your claim.

[mcarter985]

Just had my claim completed and closed and according to EBennies I've been rated at 60%!!! The big envelope is coming and looking forward to that!!

I have been doing a ton of research these past few days that included reading 38 CFR. According to that document I should be getting 100% for three months and then 60% as awarded. There is no mention of having to be diagnosed with heart problems prior to my heart attack so curious if I'll be getting that. Anyone else have any experience with that?

Edited September 23, 2014 by mcarter985

[georgiapapa]

Congratulations on the award.

Good luck and take care of yourself

[Computer Tech]

Congratulations on the win. Now it's time to obey the doctor's orders and enjoy life.

Rick

[stillhere]

I was able to claim temp 100% twice actually. Each time I had a stent placed after my original heart attack. I sent in a claim and was awarded. But I was only awarded one month for each because you had to be in the hospital or your Dr. limited your activities for at lease I think 21 days?

Check your hospital note your Dr. gave you at discharge.

Good luck to you and Welcome Home!

Stillhere