hypertension Old Problems Become New Again

[Jerry_O]

I'm a newbie on this site - please indulge me.

I retired in 1988 and since have been recalled to active duty twice. I got out again in August 06. While on active duty I had a heart attack and stent replacement. Prior to my last recall I was 40% disabled. PTSD (30%), skin condition and Tinnitus (20%). Service connected (Vietnam Radio Operator)

I put in a claim via VFW representative in August and still have not heard from VA. In addition to the heart attack I put in a separate claim for Increase for PTSD, Neuropathy, Hypertension, ED, and Cataract.

During my latest active duty time I worked in Casualty and Mortuary Affairs, Department of the Army. I am claiming that my heart attack was associated with my PTSD. Has anyone had any experience with clamming PTSD or heart attack associated or secondary to each other?

I know VA claims is a waiting game but come on, this was all documented in my official medical records while on active duty.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

PS - Thank you Jargin

Jerry

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[Pete53]

Jerry:

Welcome to Hadit. If you are close enough and feel ok you might consider a trip to the VARO to review your file and speak to a VA Counselor. Or you can call 800 827 1000 and speak to a phone person who might be able to let you know exactly where you are.

It is important to review your "C" File and you can do it if you ask for an appointment on the phone.

[Guest jangrin]

Jerry,

Your welcome,

Jangrin

[Berta]

Welcome aboard Jerry- best place in town-

Has the VA acknowledged your claim yet-

they take time to do this but a call to 1-800-827-1000 (when the robot asks- hit 1 for touch and then hit 0, hang on -if you are lucky they will play some good rock music and just wait for the vet rep to help you-

to see if the claim is there unless the VFW can acknowledge this too-(with some hard copy such as their copy of a 21-4138 in support of the new claim)

"In addition to the heart attack I put in a separate claim for Increase for PTSD, Neuropathy, Hypertension, ED, and Cataract."

Has the VA ruled in or ruled out diabetes mellitus? As an incountry vet you were exposed to Agent Orange (this is presumptive -you dont have to prove it ) and DMII can cause every single symptom you mentioned.

Assuming you dont have DMII - there have been awards at the BVA due to PTSD SC contributing to heart disease.

That is a mountain to climb claimwise and only an Independent medical opinion- which could be very costly would resolve that type of claim.

Also it could involve a costly IMO from a shrink (Psychiatrist) corroborated by a cardiac specialist-

hard way to go but it HAS been done.

I am concerned -Cataracts almost always have etiology of diabetes.

What is the cause of your cataracts?

Then again:

"I know VA claims is a waiting game but come on, this was all documented in my official medical records while on active duty."

Do you mean all of the additional conditions that you want SC for are documented in your SMR?

Do you yourself have copies of those actual SMRS?

This:

"While on active duty I had a heart attack and stent replacement" as well as other info you posted indicates to me that-

you claimed these conditions within year of discharge date- the SMRs reveal the heart disease at least at 10% disabling (at VERY least) and that you claim should be presumptive on that due to the

active duty care and subsequent filing of claim within one year of discharge-

The PTSD-heart claim is a mountain full of landmines-

Didn't your VFW SO see the better way to go here ????

PTSD to heart as well as Heart disease and other conditions in your SMRs as presumptive?????

I might be getting this wrong-

1988 discharged then more active duty- I am assuming- that you would not have had active duty with a heart stent and that this occurred during your service that produced the Aug 2006 discharge.

????? This is what I am seeing as the presumptive date.

Anyone one else here see this too?

[Chuck75]

I'm really suprised that they would even consider you for active duty.

That aside, problems you show below are/can be medically related, according to the med references. PTSD or stress is also considered to be a risk factor. I suppose that PTSD might be aggrivated by duties in the casualty and mortuary area. Getting a doctor or two to write an opinion saying so, and getting the VA to make a service connection are different things. I don't know how cataracts can be service connected, unless you can show exposure to microwave energy (Radar,etc.) while in the service. (for instance, I was an electronics tech that worked on shipboard radar, and later aircraft microwave systems as a civilian.) If I developed cataracts and tried to claim SC, the first thing would be that the VA might claim that the problem was caused my my civilian occupation (If they knew about it.) That would open up a whole new bag, since the military is extremely poor/lax when it comes to rf safety practices in shops. For one thing safety RF monitors get sent in for required calibration, and instead of returning, get sent to the highest priority user.

If you were in vietnam, some recently released ranch hand data may help in making a service connection to heart problems. Seems that the results show a higher rate of heart problems and diabetes in agent orange exposed veterans than the control group.

"While on active duty I had a heart attack and stent replacement", "Hypertension", "ED"

I'm a newbie on this site - please indulge me.

I retired in 1988 and since have been recalled to active duty twice. I got out again in August 06. While on active duty I had a heart attack and stent replacement. Prior to my last recall I was 40% disabled. PTSD (30%), skin condition and Tinnitus (20%). Service connected (Vietnam Radio Operator)

I put in a claim via VFW representative in August and still have not heard from VA. In addition to the heart attack I put in a separate claim for Increase for PTSD, Neuropathy, Hypertension, ED, and Cataract.

During my latest active duty time I worked in Casualty and Mortuary Affairs, Department of the Army. I am claiming that my heart attack was associated with my PTSD. Has anyone had any experience with clamming PTSD or heart attack associated or secondary to each other?

I know VA claims is a waiting game but come on, this was all documented in my official medical records while on active duty.

Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

PS - Thank you Jargin

Jerry

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