Heart Disease Rate Increase

[stillhere]

I am rated 60%heart disease / 20% DBII / 10% NP left / 10% NP right I am being compensated at 70% VA Math.

Recently had another blockage issue in the heart and another stent implanted doc said limit duty next month and come back and see him for evaluation. Called the VA for advise as to rate increase they said would send paper work in 60 days and then file.

My questions are should I file for this rate increae or go with a NOD from my last award in Feb. 07

If I go with NOD (Sept.06 one year from that date)I was thinking of asking for a different award date. They only added the heart disease after I had a heart attack in Oct. 05 although I had complained of heart pain on my first claim in 03 and it was denied. I then reapplied in August of 06 and they again denied heart only after I had my heart attack in 05 did they finally allow the heart issue as secondary to DB2.

I feel it is obvious that something caused my heart issue and it was there long before Oct. 05 but all the test they where running stress, cardio and such showed nothing. Is this a CUE?

Anyhow all help would be appreciated on this matter. I have the feeling things are going down hill very quick and don't know how much more I can battle with them before I have another heart attack.

[Berta]

What is even scarier is that according to the ADA (American Diabetes Association:

"Diabetes is a silent disease. You could have it for years and never know it. During this time, your eyes, nerves, and kidneys may have been harmed by too much sugar in your blood"

AND

"American Diabetes Association Home Page. Skip to Navigation ... Help find the 6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes. Conduct an email campaign to ...

www.diabetes.org/communityprograms"

6.2 million Americans with undiagnosed diabetes.

That is not an excuse for VA or any health care outfit to fail to diagnose diabetes when the patients medical tests and records reveal that they have it. That goes for anyone -not just VA vets-

I did not mention that-

not only were Rods VA glucose values too high- he had been in fasting state for 3 weeks when these values were taken and hospitalized-(paralysed throat and right side paralsis of body,) and the VA "expert doctor" -using only 3 blood records- did not even know he already had one CAD heart attack, 4-5 prior strokes, a major CVA, a full autopsy,and that these records were while in a fasting state-and that the Veterans Administration had already admitted to caused all of those disabilities as well as his wrongful death.

Think about that -that's scary-

This is an endocrinologist for the VA who opined on my AO death claim.

This doctor -based on the 'C & P' opinion she gave of the deceased veteran-10 years after his death - would have killed him too if she had treated him when he was alive-

if she had only used the same 3 blood chem records.

In my opinion C & P doctors are often misdiagnosing veterans with poor C & P exams -for VA claims purposes-in a way that is no different than an actual misdiagnosis.

[Guest terrysturgis]

stillhere, I am also denied SC for Hypertension as secondary to DMII. My HTN was diagnosed before my DMII. I received a copy of my C-file and discovered this statement in the Reasons and Bases section of a denial decision.

"The VA examiner in the exam of March 27, 2006, stated that since there is no diabetic neuropathy from your diabetes, the hypertension is not aggravated by or related to the diabetes. That finding is most consistent with general VA policy that hypertension is not related to diabetes unless there is diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, based on that opinion, service connection for hypertension is not established."

I have been diagnosed with PN, 40% bilaterial lower body and 20% bilaterial upper body. I am going to file a claim using there statement of gereral VA policy because even though I am 100% P&T if I die from a heart problem my wife's DIC claim should be easier. Because you have a diagnosus of PN, according to the statement above your HTN should be service connected. The 10% will not get you to the 100% level but it might get you to 70%. Take care. Terry Sturgis

[Guest terrysturgis]

stillhere, I am also denied SC for Hypertension as secondary to DMII. My HTN was diagnosed before my DMII. I received a copy of my C-file and discovered this statement in the Reasons and Bases section of a denial decision.

"The VA examiner in the exam of March 27, 2006, stated that since there is no diabetic neuropathy from your diabetes, the hypertension is not aggravated by or related to the diabetes. That finding is most consistent with general VA policy that hypertension is not related to diabetes unless there is diabetic neuropathy. Therefore, based on that opinion, service connection for hypertension is not established."

I have been diagnosed with PN, 40% bilaterial lower body and 20% bilaterial upper body. I am going to file a claim using there statement of gereral VA policy because even though I am 100% P&T if I die from a heart problem my wife's DIC claim should be easier. Because you have a diagnosus of PN, according to the statement above your HTN should be service connected. The 10% will not get you to the 100% level but it might get you to 70%. Take care. Terry Sturgis

[Berta]

Terry-that 'medical statement' is absurd.

Diabetes can cause hyperlipidemia which causes atherosclerosis which causes HBP. As well as PN.

If a vet has peripheral Neuropathy that is from DMII how can the VA possibly disassociate the Peripheral neuropathy from diabetic neutopathy if the vet has diabetes diagnosed too?

I have posted the link to the VA's own Diabetes Trianing Letter here many times-

I have supported local claims with the whole thing-

it clearly states:

"Complications are often divided into several categories.

Microvascular complications (small blood vessel damage)

• retinopathy - eye

• neuropathy - nerves

• nephropathy - kidney

Macrovascular Complications (large blood vessel damage)

• heart problems

• hypertension

• peripheral vascular disease

• stroke

Other Complications

• infections

• impotence

• pregnancy complications

• foot problems

• skin problems"

Neuropathy is a nerveous system issue.

HBP is a cardiac issue.

How can the VA make that absurd statement? Easy-

they can fail to see what cardiac involvement or problems the veteran might have due to diabetes.

Then they can say the HBP is due to anything else and get away with it.

Been there- done that.

Their medical "rationale" here is absurd.

[jbasser]

CAD is commonly associated with Hypertension. Hypertension does damage to the blood vessels and causes enlarged heard or cardiomegaly, or cardiac myopathy. Heart disease in my case was diagnosed secondary to hypertension after 15 years of hypertension denials. ( Cue was filed last November)

The VA may point this out as it may give them reason to deny DMII.

A Good IMO to counter act in advance may be needed to put all the pieces in place.

John

Edited April 12, 2007 by jbasser

[Guest terrysturgis]

Berta, I agree that it is absurd. That is why I posted the actual statement from the decision as we all know some of the best evidence we can get to help our claims comes right from the decisions themselves. I will simply copy the statement and enclose the diagnosis of PN and hopefully their own statement will make it so I can get SC for HTN. Also I appreciate the information you provided on the board that helped me get to 100% P&T. (DMII Training letter for example). Thanks! Terry Sturgis