Should I file PACT Act, Depressed Mood, Coronary Artery Disease, Spine/Neck

[RichardZ]

Since 2015 when I retired I've been 80% which includes 60% Chronic Fatigue, 30% Insomnia, 10% Hemorrhoids.  My VA psychiatrist (who happens to also be the Hospital Chief of Staff) has strongly advised me multiple times to file for a service connection under the PACT Act.  I've strongly disagreed with him since I do not see a PACT Act connection (other than possibly using DEET and as supply troop regularly disposing of toxic substances - none identified in the PACT Act).   He, my psychiatrist has told me that it would likely get approved and I should say that toxin exposure has exacerbated my behavioral health issues.  I do not feel comfortable filing under the PACT Act however, I am considering asking VA to connect my Moderate/Major Depression Disorder and Anxiety disorder secondary to my rated Insomnia.  Also considering filing for my recently worsening coronary artery disease (CAD) and spinal stenosis, spinal disc disease.    Details follow and thanks in advance.  e

Recently, the VA noted my severe atherosclerosis in several CT Scans and in December 2023, I had stents put in 2 coronary arteries.  I have copies of my military medical records that show I was twice seen in the military for chest pain and several times prescribed crestor for high cholesterol.  Both of these military medical appointments were in the 1980s.   Though I've been taking crestor and other statins ever since.  

Also, since my retirement in 2015 I've had several  months long episodes of back and neck pain for which I've been seen by VA and civilian doctors.  In 2022, an MRI revealed multi-level severe disc degeneration, stenosis, and spondylosis of my sacral, lumbar, and cervical spine and ongoing tendonitus left scapula and shoulder.   I have been seen once on active duty for a cervical spine injury and one for a right shoulder injury.

So basically, I'm asking for advice on whether it's reasonable or not for me to proceed with claims for PACT Act, depression/anxiety, CAD, and/or spine/neck issues?

I only started thinking about this because my VA Psychiatrist has been almost pressuring me to file a PACT Act claim.  Until that, I never though about filing.  I'm retired, I have a good military and civil service retirement and am satisfied with the 80% rating I currently have.  Again much thanks in advance.  - Richard

 

 

Edited March 16 by RichardZ
mis spelled my name

[Vync]

5 hours ago, Lemuel said:

Your military personnel record shows which bases you were at that qualify you for "PACACT" claims. 

As info, if the Veteran was sent to a PACT Act qualifying location as TDY, the personnel file might not have it documented. I am helping an Army vet where his 201 file lists his permanent duty stations, but he said he had TDY orders to other places, too. No copies of those TDY orders were in his military personnel folder. However, he did dig through an old box and found copies all of them. He literally never threw away anything... He is hoping that will prove he was in theater for certain things.

[Lemuel]

My TDYs were reported on my page 13 entries and the page that has one line entries for each assignment, For Duty, TDY -- under treatment, TDY training etc.  Hard copy they are there.  Since converting to data, I do not know what is happening compared to what should have happened.

I kept that stuff until it became paper machete in a flood.

[Rattler]

Her is a point that I don't ever hear anyone talking about in regarding adding more ratings.

This is something I learned from a state VSO about a year ago.

This regards DIC payments for your wife.

If you are at a 100% and under 10 years at a 100% for your wife to get DIC without a battle you would have to pass away from a service-connected issue.

If you are over 10 years service-connected at 100% your wife gets full DIC.

So if you are under 10 years you want to  be service-connected as much as possible even if its 0%