hypertension New C & P Exam For Heart Disease

[vern2]

This is 28 April 2015 results of my C & P exam for heart disease. I have been trying since 2003 to get SC for heart disease. I had 6 tests less than 6 months after came off AD

DBQ CARDIO Heart:

MEDICAL OPINION REQUEST

TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION REQUESTED: Aggravation of a nonservice

Connected disability by a service connected disability.

OPINION REQUESTED: Aggravation of a nonservice connected disability

by a service connected disability.

Was the Veteran's atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease

At least as likely as not aggravated beyond its natural progression by his/her

Service connected hypertension with pulmonary hypertension?

Discussion of above question: The above question requires that the

Atrial fibrillation and ischemic heart disease exist prior to military

service and be aggravated by his hypertension. His atrial fibrillation

did not occur until 2013 and proof of ischemic heart disease until

2015, occurring long after his military service, and therefore this

does not seem to be the appropriate question. If we stay with the

above question the opinion is that his atrial fibrillation and ischemic

heart disease were not aggravated by his hypertension and pulmonary

hypertension.

The more appropriate question is whether the atrial fibrillation and

atrial flutter are secondary to the hypertension with pulmonary

hypertension.

Opinion: It is at least as likely as not that the atrial

fibrillation/atrial flutter/ischemic heart disease are secondary to

his hypertension and pulmonary hypertension.

Rationale: The veteran had long-standing hypertension that began

During his military service. He is service connected for hypertensive heart

disease. Hypertensive heart disease damages the muscle and electrical

system of the heart which can lead to atrial fibrillation and atrial

flutter. Hypertension also damages the arteries which causes the

cholesterol to adhere and cause ischemic heart disease. It is

therefore logical and in agreement with his cardiologist's opinion that the

hypertensive heart disease caused his atrial fibrillation/atrial

flutter and also his ischemic heart disease.

****************************************************************************

in 2003, and results showed had hypertensive heart disease, yet rater only rated me for aggravated hypertension. Been on various appeals since 2007.

This exam seems more favorable than prior exams. Any thoughts? I am currently rated 30% for hypertension.

I am trying to get 60% at least for the hypertensive heart disease.

[vern2]

Thanks GP, I am 67 and she is 73, and been married 34+ years. She is great wife! We are both retired and I volunteer at NAVY HOSPITAL PENSACOLA with Red Cross (Quarterdeck).

[Gastone]

I filed FDC 2/14 after getting VA DX of PH after Echo, claimed Secondary to SC CAD from 2008. Realized shortly thereafter that my CAD wasn't the correct Nexus but my Secondary SA, SC 2010 was most likely the cause. Meanwhile, my VA Cardiologist ordered all the Pulmonary function Tests and everything was ruled out as a cause except Sleep Apnea. Around 05/14 I filed another PH FDC with my SC SA as the cause.

End of May I have a C & P for the 2/14 claim. The VA Dr and I started discussing the PH and I told him about my thinking that the CAD was wrong and SA was actually the cause. He agreed and completed the DBQ stating no direct linkage to CAD. BUT THEN, says if I ask him to complete a DBQ regarding my SC SA and it being the "CAUSE" of my recent PH DX, he would be obligated to complete it right then, per VA Regs. Worked for me, Rated SC for PH @ 0% (Raters's Error), Secondary to SA end of 07/14. Before May, I was hoping to get a 50% to get past my 90% SC. Little did I know that my 41/2 yr wait on 1st NOD's DRO Hearing would take place 6/27/14 and all issues would be awarded including IU back to 2011.

Even though I'm IU, I'm still addressing the PH SC % issue with an eye towards SMC Aid & Attendance.

Semper Fi

Gastone