Heart Surgery connected to High Blood pressure?

[Steve40th]

Hello, A couple years ago , 3/2020, I had heart surgery. Had a 99% block in LDA. Thank God I have three artery's vice two, at least my cardiologist was saying it was a good thing.

Anyways, I retired in 2012, Oct. I was service connected for blood pressure and of course have been on meds for years, years before even getting out. Cholesterol was high, and they put me on statin, then another med for calcium control. 

Is the Heart surgery something I should notify my VSO about. Blood pressure hasnt changed any, cholesterol is down due to diet and meds.. 

[Carl the Engineer]

Steve40,

Not sure what your disablility ratings are, but I can assume you need to do a couple claims.

What are your ratings, and what are they for.

Example, 10% for hypertension, 30% for LVH, etc., etc.,

VSO's (in my opinion) are not proactive when considering increases and/or secondary claims.

Just sayin, 

Hamslice

 

 

[Steve40th]

My service connected hypertension is 0%, and tension headaches is 0%, as far as items related to blood pressure etc. 

[john999]

If you believe you have secondary conditions you must claim them and have doctor report saying they are related to you primary SC condition.  No matter how obvious the VA wants you to get medical opinion for connection.

[Steve40th]

I amnot sure it will change anything per say. But, I cant see how they are connected, at least hypertension due to cholesterol etc. 

[john999]

If you have high blood you could have stroke or heart attack.  Those things are all connected.  A lot of guys with high blood also have DMII and heart disease.  I have calcification of veins in my legs and DMII and high blood.  VA accepted a claim for heart disease due to DMII and gave me 60%, but I had to appeal  it .  I was first granted just 0% like you.  I would not accept 0% for high blood is I was you.  You know that can lead to bad stuff.  If VA ever connects high blood to agent orange I will be filing a claim, you bet. Never just accept a 0% rating IMO.  Just appeal everything.  You never know what might evolve.  I had 10% for neuropathy in both hands and feet.  I filed a claim for an increase and got 40% on each foot and each hand and arm.  I was pretty floored because I just wanted 40% for the DMII.

[Steve40th]

I will notify my VSO tomorrow and go forth with what he recommends. He has always been good at working with the VA. I never told him of the heart surgery though.