VA Rating Question for Cardiac Arrythmia

[DICK HILL]

I was service connected for Cardiac Arrythmia at 10 percent back in 1989.  I recently had a EKG which revealed that I have had a previous minor heart attack.  I have since had a Echocardiogram which revealed some problems also.

The following is the results of the Echocardiaogram:

Findings:

1.        Left ventricle cavity is normal in size.  Mild concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle.  Normal global wass motion.  Visual EF is 51%.  Doppler evidence of grade II (Pseudonormal) diastolic dysfunction.

2.       Left artrial cavity is normal in size.

3.       Right artrial cavity is normal in size.

4.       Right ventricle cavity is normal in size.  Nornal right ventricular function.

5.       Structurally normal trileadlet aortic valve with no regurgition noted.

6.       Structurally normal mitrel valve with no regurgitation noted.

7.       Structurally normal tricuspid valve with mild regurgitation.

8.        Structurally normal pulmonic valve with no regurgitation noted.

9.       No evidence of significant pericardial effusion.

10.   The aortic root is normal.

11.   Normal pulmonary artery.

12. IVC is normal with respiratory variation.

 

Conclusion:

-          Left ventricle cavity is normal in size.

-          Mild concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle.

-          Normal global wall motion.

-          Visual EF is 55-60%

-          Doppler evidence of grade II (Pseudonormal) diastolic dysfunction.

-          Calculated EF 51%.

-          Structurally normal tricuspid valve with mild regurgitation.

 

My questions are:

-          Can I assume I should qualify for at least a 30 percent rating because of the mild concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle, the doppler evidence of grade II (Pseudonormal) diastolic dysfunction, and the calculated EF of 51%?

-          What other heart tests from the VA or VA contractor can I expect?

 

Your inputs on this matter will be greatly appreciated.  Dick Hill

 

[Carl the Engineer]

Dick,

I would claim "heart disease" secondary to your cardiac arrhythmia.  You should get 30% by the evidence you are showing.  I'm not sure if cardiac arrhythmia is heart disease or not, but at a minimum you should get the 30% if it is because its the higher of the two.  If its not rated as the same organ, etc., then an additonal 10%.

I claimed heart disease secondary to my hypertension, and my LVH was rated seperately at 30%, because of the ECG or EKG.  Left ventricle wall thickening, i.e., mild concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.

Now that said, you may have other issues that I did not and again, if you claim '"heart disease", that will (should) make them look at all aspects of your heart and the tests that you took.

Your test looks simular to mine, however, your EF is lower.

Anyway, give it a shot,

Hamslice

 

 

 

[DICK HILL]

Thanks Hamslice.  I appreciate the info.

 

Dick Hill