[saturneptune]

Six way bypass

[Berta]

If this involves ischemic heart disease (which I think you already said it did- I see under Nehmer the possibility for the heart disease retro to go back to the date you filed the original claim for CAD that was denied.

It definitely sounds like the VA missed a proper DMII diagnosis and you could certainly file a Section 1151 claim on that. You could ask for the earliest date on the DMII that VA should have diagnosed your diabetes.

I am not sure it that would produce the best EED-however- this is almost like my AO claim.

I couldnt file a second 1151 due to the additional malpractice I found regarding DMII so I re-opened my older DIC claim which produced an EED of 1994- but in many other respects your claim is similiar-

I am not sure just how the 1151 could bring proper retro but I do suggest that you ask them to develop and award the 1151 claim based on the auspices of Nehmer.

They awarded a widow at the BVA accrued SMC under Nehmer (another claim I too have pending for SMC accrued)
so Nehmer, with its unusual EED aspect Might help you recover a proper EED.

I hope others chime in here.

You could also file a FTCA claim against them if you learned of the negligence within the last 2 years.It looks here however that 2 years has passed already after the doc discovered the DMII.

"he did make a diagnosis of Diabetes II and was forwarded with claim."

What was the date of this diagnosis?

How did the VA interpret this (or reject it) in the SOC?

[rotorhead]

Berta, on Jan 6 2010, 04:29 PM, said:

"High blood gluclose at time of heart attack"

Often diabetes is only diagnosed when someone has a heart attack-if they had been getting regular medical care however with blood work etc, it can certainly be diagnosed sooner than when a heart attack occurs.

Any serious event such as heart attack or stroke can raise blood sugar temporarily. One high reading cannot determine diabetes.. Mine was high last year when I had a severe infection.It dropped down as soon as the intravenous antibiotic got into my system.

The ADA criteria changed in 1997 for diabetes.

I cant reply on my memory but I think it involves 3 readings of glucose at 126 or higher.
OGTT tests and HBIAC tests are good indicators of full blown diabetes too- the criteria is definitely here somewhere but maybe I better find it and post it again.

Thanks for the reply Miss Berta, the finding of high sugar in 2005 was my private cardioglist asking if I was dieabetic in July when I was hospitalized for the stents, my gluclose level was 257 fasting. We started looking at past blood work and since 2005 and we found 12 different levels higher than 117 one at 242. Five of these tests that were abnormal was in the VA health system. But not at one clinic, Waco, San Francisco, Winston=Salem, ect. I move around alot. Just never thought I might have Diabetes, he did make a dianosis of Diabetes II and was forwarded with claim. Unfortanutly I did not appeal heart diasese claim. On advise of present service officer filed new claim and hope to fall under the Nehmer ruling. After note; I also have a claim for PTSD, and trying real hard not to use that as excuse for not following through with some of this. Took a huge step to just admit that I just might be in need of help to get past the past. Sorry didn't mean to digress, but real hard to talk about stuff, thankfully I have found a group that at least understands (Hadit.com). The system sure likes to grind ya down into dust, hopeing you will just go away, not this time I am mad not just angry.Again sorry for the rambleing.

[Berta]

"High blood gluclose at time of heart attack"

Often diabetes is only diagnosed when someone has a heart attack-if they had been getting regular medical care however with blood work etc, it can certainly be diagnosed sooner than when a heart attack occurs.

Any serious event such as heart attack or stroke can raise blood sugar temporarily. One high reading cannot determine diabetes.. Mine was high last year when I had a severe infection.It dropped down as soon as the intravenous antibiotic got into my system.

The ADA criteria changed in 1997 for diabetes.

I cant reply on my memory but I think it involves 3 readings of glucose at 126 or higher.
OGTT tests and HBIAC tests are good indicators of full blown diabetes too- the criteria is definitely here somewhere but maybe I better find it and post it again.

[jbasser]

Did you appeal the 06 denial for heart disease?

Both the heart disease and DMII are presumptive now.

J

[rotorhead]

Hello Miss Berta, I have claim in for IHD, Dibetes II, I assume I am going to fit under these new ruling, Heart attack and triple Bypass in 2005, two stents this pass July. Denied Heart diease 2006. High blood gluclose at time of heart attack. My argument is going to be Diebetes II led to CAD to IHD. Boots on the ground 69 to 71.

[vperl]

Speaking of the new rules for the three Presumptive AO, we all hear very little when our great VA
leaders will get off their butt and publish the Proposed Rules.

Once the Proposed Rules are published we all have 60 days to make comments, which is very simple, then
The VA has 30 days to write final rules ( or when ever they feel like publishing said final rules).

However, I suspect there is little rush for the VA to publish the Proposed rules anytime soon. You may go to the link below every couple weeks to see if the Proposed Rules have been published.





http://www.regulatio.../home.html#home

[Berta]

John-this is a superb definition of IHD.

I wish YOU could write the IHD regulations!

I started to research to write a topic on Hairy cell B Leukemia and found there was a lot more to this type of cancer than I thought-it is a very rare form of cancer fortunately and a subtype 0f CLL which is now AO presumptive too.

[Pete53]

I read that the VA is paying 3 million Veterans 30 billion or a mean average of 10,000 per Veteran on Disability and Pension.

[billy2]

jbasser, on Jan 6 2010, 09:33 AM, said:

Billy, Here is a definition of IHD. CAD is a cause of IHD.

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries). Its risk increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Symptoms of stable ischaemic heart disease include angina (characteristic chest pain on exertion) and decreased exercise tolerance. Unstable IHD presents itself as chest pain or other symptoms at rest, or rapidly worsening angina. Diagnosis of IHD is with an electrocardiogram, blood tests (cardiac markers), cardiac stress testing or a coronary angiogram. Depending on the symptoms and risk, treatment may be with medication, percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

It is the most common cause of death in most Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. [1] There is limited evidence for population screening, but prevention (with a healthy diet and sometimes medication for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure) is used both to prevent IHD and to decrease the risk of complications.

The medical history distinguishes between various alternative causes for chest pain (such as dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary embolism). As part of an assessment of the three main presentations of IHD, risk factors are addressed. These are the main causes of atherosclerosis (the disease process underlying IHD): age, male sex, hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and high fats in the blood), smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and the family history. [2]



Billy, Here is a definition of IHD. CAD is a cause of IHD.

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries). Its risk increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Symptoms of stable ischaemic heart disease include angina (characteristic chest pain on exertion) and decreased exercise tolerance. Unstable IHD presents itself as chest pain or other symptoms at rest, or rapidly worsening angina. Diagnosis of IHD is with an electrocardiogram, blood tests (cardiac markers), cardiac stress testing or a coronary angiogram. Depending on the symptoms and risk, treatment may be with medication, percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

It is the most common cause of death in most Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. [1] There is limited evidence for population screening, but prevention (with a healthy diet and sometimes medication for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure) is used both to prevent IHD and to decrease the risk of complications.

The medical history distinguishes between various alternative causes for chest pain (such as dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary embolism). As part of an assessment of the three main presentations of IHD, risk factors are addressed. These are the main causes of atherosclerosis (the disease process underlying IHD): age, male sex, hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and high fats in the blood), smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and the family history. [2]

jbasser,

Thanks. I guess everyone with a stent should file a claim. What it looks like is the VA is going to have big payouts to a lot of Nam vets. I read somewhere that it could cost 50B for the three new presumptives just added. This may be a low ball $ amount. The fight continues as some of our brothers die every day.

Bill

[jbasser]

Billy, Here is a definition of IHD. CAD is a cause of IHD.

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries). Its risk increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Symptoms of stable ischaemic heart disease include angina (characteristic chest pain on exertion) and decreased exercise tolerance. Unstable IHD presents itself as chest pain or other symptoms at rest, or rapidly worsening angina. Diagnosis of IHD is with an electrocardiogram, blood tests (cardiac markers), cardiac stress testing or a coronary angiogram. Depending on the symptoms and risk, treatment may be with medication, percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

It is the most common cause of death in most Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. [1] There is limited evidence for population screening, but prevention (with a healthy diet and sometimes medication for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure) is used both to prevent IHD and to decrease the risk of complications.

The medical history distinguishes between various alternative causes for chest pain (such as dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary embolism). As part of an assessment of the three main presentations of IHD, risk factors are addressed. These are the main causes of atherosclerosis (the disease process underlying IHD): age, male sex, hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and high fats in the blood), smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and the family history. [2]



Billy, Here is a definition of IHD. CAD is a cause of IHD.

Ischaemic or ischemic heart disease (IHD), or myocardial ischaemia, is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle, usually due to coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries). Its risk increases with age, smoking, hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels), diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and is more common in men and those who have close relatives with ischaemic heart disease.

Symptoms of stable ischaemic heart disease include angina (characteristic chest pain on exertion) and decreased exercise tolerance. Unstable IHD presents itself as chest pain or other symptoms at rest, or rapidly worsening angina. Diagnosis of IHD is with an electrocardiogram, blood tests (cardiac markers), cardiac stress testing or a coronary angiogram. Depending on the symptoms and risk, treatment may be with medication, percutaneous coronary intervention (angioplasty) or coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

It is the most common cause of death in most Western countries, and a major cause of hospital admissions. [1] There is limited evidence for population screening, but prevention (with a healthy diet and sometimes medication for diabetes, cholesterol and high blood pressure) is used both to prevent IHD and to decrease the risk of complications.

The medical history distinguishes between various alternative causes for chest pain (such as dyspepsia, musculoskeletal pain, pulmonary embolism). As part of an assessment of the three main presentations of IHD, risk factors are addressed. These are the main causes of atherosclerosis (the disease process underlying IHD): age, male sex, hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol and high fats in the blood), smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and the family history. [2]

[billy2]

Berta, on Jan 6 2010, 08:37 AM, said:

Hawkfire-with established AO exposure- your husband would have SC basis under the new proposed regs for IHD due to AO or for CAD as secondary to his AO DMII. Whch would need medical evidence of the association.

I had to recheck my husband's med recs as to his CAD- it was found as ischemic in nature due to his long standing atherosclerosis due to his untreated DMII.

This is what is bothering my about how they might word the proposed regs:


"And something else was the Agent Orange Exam people put down that my husband had CAD "and" presumptive Diabetes II in the Exam notes, note he didn't say the CAD was presumptive and he made no mention of the IHD elsewhere in the notes......"

The CAD has to be found secondary to DMII by medical evidence. I have seen the VA try to deny diabetic heart disease by saying the heart disease began prior to the AO DMII diagnosis.

They probably failed to diagnose the DMII properly in some of these cases prior to development of heart disease due to it.

Ischemic heart disease is a more refined definition of CAD due to atherosclerotic involvement.

Ischemia means blockage -due to clotting or narrowed arteries due to plaque.

I think many IHD vets will need to make sure they have had an ECHO done to prove IHD as an EKG doesnt accurately reveal this type of blockage at all.

I cant wait for the new regs to be in the FR.

Bertha,

I had a 90% blockage and they put a stent in to correct the problem. The doctors call my condition CAD but I found the term "ischemia"
mentionrd twice in my medical notes. I hope this would fall under the IHD ruling.

Bill

[Berta]

Hawkfire-with established AO exposure- your husband would have SC basis under the new proposed regs for IHD due to AO or for CAD as secondary to his AO DMII. Whch would need medical evidence of the association.

I had to recheck my husband's med recs as to his CAD- it was found as ischemic in nature due to his long standing atherosclerosis due to his untreated DMII.

This is what is bothering my about how they might word the proposed regs:


"And something else was the Agent Orange Exam people put down that my husband had CAD "and" presumptive Diabetes II in the Exam notes, note he didn't say the CAD was presumptive and he made no mention of the IHD elsewhere in the notes......"

The CAD has to be found secondary to DMII by medical evidence. I have seen the VA try to deny diabetic heart disease by saying the heart disease began prior to the AO DMII diagnosis.

They probably failed to diagnose the DMII properly in some of these cases prior to development of heart disease due to it.

Ischemic heart disease is a more refined definition of CAD due to atherosclerotic involvement.

Ischemia means blockage -due to clotting or narrowed arteries due to plaque.

I think many IHD vets will need to make sure they have had an ECHO done to prove IHD as an EKG doesnt accurately reveal this type of blockage at all.

I cant wait for the new regs to be in the FR.

[Sgt Schmidt]

hawkfire27, on Jan 6 2010, 06:17 AM, said:

Hi Berta, Just thought I would let you know that when we put in for a IHD claim we were told to put in for CAD as well.

So we did.... What we got back from the VA was one claim for IHD and one claim for CAD secondary to IHD, this is how the VA interpreted our claim so perhaps they are going to consider it two seperate conditions. Another thing to note is our VA cardiologist diagnosed both CAD and IHD as separate conditions in the medical records, IHD was Diagnosed as Ischemic Heart.....IHD is then listed elsewhere in the medical records as a risk factor for CAD, sooooo, it looks like the VA is trying to kept these two things spearate.

And something else was the Agent Orange Exam people put down that my husband had CAD "and" presumptive Diabetes II in the Exam notes, note he didn't say the CAD was presumptive and he made no mention of the IHD elsewhere in the notes......

Anyway just thought it was an interesting point....

If this is the case, should I file for CAD as well? I was dx'd with CAD back in 91. Also, not to add fuel to the fire, during my recent visit with my family doc yesterday I was told I have anemia. Is this possibly related to AO exposure?

[hawkfire27]

jbasser, on Jan 5 2010, 04:44 PM, said:

I was offered it last summer but I declined for now.
It is a very invasive procedure where they open you up and cut channels in the heart muscle. The Vessels attach and you are supposed be better offf.
It sounds good but I was in no shape to do it then.

J

hey jbasser, I think you got EECP confused with Laser Revascularization.

EECP is external counterpulsion, this is really good and non-invasive, basically just pressure cuffs like getting your BP taken, but the cuffs are on your legs, it takes about 35x 1 hour sessions but it works pretty good stops the angina and can help you cut down on meds.... What happens is it feeds oxygen rich blood into your heart which helps your heart form new vessels on it's own to naturally bypass the bad vessels that cause angina.

[hawkfire27]

Berta, on Dec 17 2009, 05:01 AM, said:

As long as your type of heart disease is ischemic in nature -you can claim it due to AO exposure.

Most heart disease is ischemic but this is something your medical records will clarify.

Hopefully when the VA puts this proposed rule into the Federal Register they will define what they conisder ischemic heart disease.

I think it will be rated same as atherosclerotic heart disease but cannot predict how VA will handle this new AO presumptive.

Both Hodgkins and Non Hodgkins are AO presumptive disabilities-have you cl;aimed them?

Hi Berta, Just thought I would let you know that when we put in for a IHD claim we were told to put in for CAD as well.

So we did.... What we got back from the VA was one claim for IHD and one claim for CAD secondary to IHD, this is how the VA interpreted our claim so perhaps they are going to consider it two seperate conditions. Another thing to note is our VA cardiologist diagnosed both CAD and IHD as separate conditions in the medical records, IHD was Diagnosed as Ischemic Heart.....IHD is then listed elsewhere in the medical records as a risk factor for CAD, sooooo, it looks like the VA is trying to kept these two things spearate.

And something else was the Agent Orange Exam people put down that my husband had CAD "and" presumptive Diabetes II in the Exam notes, note he didn't say the CAD was presumptive and he made no mention of the IHD elsewhere in the notes......

Anyway just thought it was an interesting point....

[jbasser]

I was offered it last summer but I declined for now.
It is a very invasive procedure where they open you up and cut channels in the heart muscle. The Vessels attach and you are supposed be better offf.
It sounds good but I was in no shape to do it then.

J

[Sgt Schmidt]

Concerning heart disease, has anyone had a procedure done called EECP.

http://www.braverman.../abouteecp.html

I learned today that my cardiologist wants to discuss having this done. Geesh, I live 50 miles from the heart center.

[vperl]

Van, on Dec 17 2009, 04:35 PM, said:

I can't say for sure but this opens a lot of things up. What about people that have multiple types of this heart disease and the effect each one has on the other. Each disease may be benign in of itself but in combination can be deadly. This is a toughy and I can only see the backlog of cases go much higher.

*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************

I have AO exposure and a presuptive IHD , have had three different ICD's implanted and just had a
eckocardiogram that as the VA studied was " poor result " then a Muga last week at the VA and the report back gave me a EF of 46... shich I think is better than my civilian Doccs said it was a mid 30's five years ago.

I suspect the VA will stall, and or narrow the application of the IHD presumptives claim, many will not be included....


I have filed the total claim with my VSO and await the results.

[Van]

Berta, on Dec 17 2009, 07:01 AM, said:

As long as your type of heart disease is ischemic in nature -you can claim it due to AO exposure.

Most heart disease is ischemic but this is something your medical records will clarify.

Hopefully when the VA puts this proposed rule into the Federal Register they will define what they conisder ischemic heart disease.

I think it will be rated same as atherosclerotic heart disease but cannot predict how VA will handle this new AO presumptive.

Both Hodgkins and Non Hodgkins are AO presumptive disabilities-have you cl;aimed them?

I can't say for sure but this opens a lot of things up. What about people that have multiple types of this heart disease and the effect each one has on the other. Each disease may be benign in of itself but in combination can be deadly. This is a toughy and I can only see the backlog of cases go much higher.

[Berta]

As long as your type of heart disease is ischemic in nature -you can claim it due to AO exposure.

Most heart disease is ischemic but this is something your medical records will clarify.

Hopefully when the VA puts this proposed rule into the Federal Register they will define what they conisder ischemic heart disease.

I think it will be rated same as atherosclerotic heart disease but cannot predict how VA will handle this new AO presumptive.

Both Hodgkins and Non Hodgkins are AO presumptive disabilities-have you cl;aimed them?

[Loma Linda Bill]

Berta, on Dec 16 2009, 06:48 AM, said:

VA never SCs HBP as secondary to anything usless they have medical statements to that effect.They will use the word "essential" to describe HBP meaning they dont know the cause.But in many cases it is obviously due to a heart condition.

They also can suggest that if the HBP was diagnosed prior to SC heart condition, it is not secondary.

Medical evidence or a statement from a doctor can help gets the HBP service connected as secondary.

Is this still an open claim? For the HBP?

Berta HTN and heart disease was in my grandmother's side of the famly also cancer, and I went through chemo in las vegas at the va for hodgkins disease and could not finish the last 3 cycles due to the fact the meds made me sick, any sufgestions, I have 4 heart stents in as of today.
Thanks,
loma linda bill

[Loma Linda Bill]

Berta,

I have 4 stents put in, and also have HTN, do you think it will help me I was in the vietnam war, and I am having so many problems at my age of 58 just to get diagnosed with ptsd, have you ant ideas, I love reading your post, and I am rather new to this site for sur!!

Loma Linda Bill

[Berta]

VA never SCs HBP as secondary to anything usless they have medical statements to that effect.They will use the word "essential" to describe HBP meaning they dont know the cause.But in many cases it is obviously due to a heart condition.

They also can suggest that if the HBP was diagnosed prior to SC heart condition, it is not secondary.

Medical evidence or a statement from a doctor can help gets the HBP service connected as secondary.

Is this still an open claim? For the HBP?

[VetsLady]

Husband is AO sc for DM2 and PN.

HBP, high lipids, high tri's, all controlled by meds.
EKG done this past summer, showed incomplete right bundle branch blockage, no change from prior EKG in 9/04.

I'm thinking, that on his original claim, my husband listed HBP (Hypertension) but, he was not rated with it as a secondary to the DM2.
I wonder if he should re-open that DM2 claim and file for the HBP?

Ironically, he came downstairs as I was reading this thread and told me he's been feeling dizzy with a fluttering feeling where his heart is and
attributed it to anxiety. That's because I have anxiety and he knows I feel these same symptoms (heart disease ruled out on me) so I think in
his mind he thought it must be anxiety.

Needless to say, I made an appt with his Primary on Monday.

His DM2 claim was an appeal we won, but they never addressed the HBP, only the PN.


Just found this on the web:

Autonomic Neuropathy (also called visceral neuropathy)

Autonomic neuropathy is another form of diffuse neuropathy. It affects the nerves that serve the heart and internal organs and produces changes in many processes and systems.

My husband has a confirmed dx of this from his DM2 doctor. Don't you think it should have been rated as a 2ndary to the DM2? He claimed it in 03, why didn't they rate it or even mention this or the HBP?

Ok, not messing around with this.....made an appt with his Primary for Monday. If need be, I know how to dial 911.

Any other ideas - very welcome.



Hmmmmm.

This post has been edited by VetsLady: 14 December 2009 - 04:26 PM

[tinkerertn]

I found this site with all the info on heart and vascular anyone could want.

http://www.acc.org/media/patient/chd/gloss...c_heart_disease


It is the American college of cardiology.

[vperl]

Berta, on Dec 13 2009, 11:27 AM, said:

A Doppler ECHO of heart can reveal IHD.

Also high blood lipid levels can suggest atherosclerotic involvement that leads to IHD.

The best thing any vet who is going to claim IHD due to AO can do is to get a decisive diagnosis of IHD from their doctor.

Once that diagnosis is clearly documented then the VA could not have wiggle room on IHD.

The new AO IHD presumptive is going to cost VA mega bucks as it is so I feel they will need a clear cut diagnosis of it in order to award AO comp for it.

******************************************88

had a echocardiogram at VA most part " poor study"

then last week I had a MUGA/LAO test waiting for results

have a ten year history with a civilian Cardiac electrophysiology that has implanted in the past ten year three
ICD . Letters from my Cardiac electrophysiology Doctor and my civilian internist.

Sent all Cililian Cardic files in with claim, along with ROI signed forms for all the other doctors and test I have ever had in the past 10 years.....



I await what ever happens

[Berta]

A Doppler ECHO of heart can reveal IHD.

Also high blood lipid levels can suggest atherosclerotic involvement that leads to IHD.

The best thing any vet who is going to claim IHD due to AO can do is to get a decisive diagnosis of IHD from their doctor.

Once that diagnosis is clearly documented then the VA could not have wiggle room on IHD.

The new AO IHD presumptive is going to cost VA mega bucks as it is so I feel they will need a clear cut diagnosis of it in order to award AO comp for it.

[vperl]

Sgt Schmidt, on Dec 11 2009, 03:38 PM, said:

I'm wondering how many of us have filed a claim for this disease and how many will get the run around. I saw my cardiologist today and I'm scheduled for a heart cath next Friday plus ultra sound. (IVR) I mentioned I had filed a claim for IHD and he told me that the VA will most likely say that IHD is caused by smoking since they are a govt entity. Hey, Good Old Uncle Sam!

It could be like the doc says, but I remember getting those smokes in my c rations all the time, and a buck could get you a carton in the rear at the PX.

4 stints in the old ticker now and who nows what I'll end up with after next Friday.

Oh yea, doc says we are going to need a good rep for this one.....

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&


just got back from VA hospital for a MUGA / LAO test it is a Radioisotope Testing

me thinks it is a test to get a ejection fraction rate....(Blood Flow???). they will, I suspect use that for
ths AO IHD Claim......


Echkocardiogram of mine came back inconclusive....

[Sgt Schmidt]

I'm wondering how many of us have filed a claim for this disease and how many will get the run around. I saw my cardiologist today and I'm scheduled for a heart cath next Friday plus ultra sound. (IVR) I mentioned I had filed a claim for IHD and he told me that the VA will most likely say that IHD is caused by smoking since they are a govt entity. Hey, Good Old Uncle Sam!

It could be like the doc says, but I remember getting those smokes in my c rations all the time, and a buck could get you a carton in the rear at the PX.

4 stints in the old ticker now and who nows what I'll end up with after next Friday.

Oh yea, doc says we are going to need a good rep for this one.....

[vperl]

Anyone have a ICD implanted, I have IHD. this is third ICD for me and I have filled for AO IHD end of Oct. complete medical record from my Electrophysicists clinic were sent with claim and two letters from my doctors stating I have IHD.....

If they read the file and know what they are doing I hope that I have given all the info I can

[Loma Linda Bill]

Berta, on Dec 6 2009, 09:20 AM, said:

Ischemic heart disease, as a new AO presumptive, will certainly bring many more Agent Orange claims into the VA system.

With proof of AO exposure these claims should be very easy for the VA to rate and award.





The biggest problem with these claims that I foresee is that the VA will not have adequate evidence to determine IHD as many vets with IHD might have CAD or CHF in their records as well as other medical terms that in fact mean IHD diagnosis -but maybe the VA could misinterpret this.Or a C & P doctor could opine inaccurately on this AO disease.


I was talking to notable Vets lawyer Doug Rosinki a few weeks ago ago who had answered a vets question as to CHF-Congestive Heart Failure -which may not be ischemic heart disease at all. In his opinion-as ischemia has certain medical facets unlike other types of cardiomyopathy.He is right.






Terms like atherosclerosis, hyperlipedimia, peripheral aterial disease are some key medical terms that might most l;ifely indicate the type of heart disease one could have is, in fact, ischemia.

IHD is a broad term and accounts for the most prevalent type of heart disease in the USA.

However the new regs hopefully will define this disease better and hopefully veterans will not have problems proving they have this type of heart disease due to AO exposure.

How can I get this exam done again and be included for myself?

Thanks,
Bill











“Caused by cholesterol deposits, which block arteries, ischemic (is-KEY-mic) heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease, is still the single biggest cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 500,000 Americans each year. But the situation is changing. According to a study in the Sept. 25, 1998, New England Journal of Medicine, deaths from coronary heart disease dropped 28 percent among men and 31 percent among women between 1987 and 1994 alone. This drop is primarily due to improved care.

An estimated 14 million people in the United States have ischemic heart disease. Of these, as many as 4 million have few or no symptoms and are unaware that they are at risk for angina (angina pectoris), heart attack (myocardial infarction), or sudden death.

Angina Pectoris
Plaque deposits on the interior linings of the heart’s arteries lie at the root of <a href="http://www.acc.org/media/patient/chd/glossary.htm#angina">angina pectoris. The narrowed arteries prevent the heart from getting enough oxygen during exercise and the person experiences a chest pain beneath the breast bone—this pain is called angina pectoris. Mild or intense, the discomfort usually lasts only a few minutes. Every year, an estimated 350,000 new cases of angina occur. Today, angina pectoris can be dramatically reduced or eliminated by medications, heart surgery, or balloon dilation of narrowed arteries.”







From:http://www.acc.org/m...hd/ischemic.htm










“Silent Ischemia and Ischemic Heart Disease

What is ischemia?

Ischemia (is-KE'me-ah) is a condition in which the blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is the name for lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.

What is ischemic heart disease?

It's the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease. This can ultimately lead to heart attack.

Ischemia often causes chest pain or discomfort known as angina pectoris (AN'jih-nah or an-JI'nah PEK'tor-is).

What is silent ischemia?

As many as 3 to 4 million Americans may have ischemic episodes without knowing it. These people have ischemia without pain — silent ischemia. They may have a heart attack with no prior warning. People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodes of silent ischemia. In addition, people who have had previous heart attacks or those with diabetes are especially at risk for developing silent ischemia.

Having an exercise stress test or wearing a Holter monitor – a battery-operated portable tape recording that measures and records your electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram [ECG]) continuously, usually for 24-48 hours – are two tests often used to diagnose this problem. Other tests also may be used.

From:http://www.americanh...identifier=4720




Ischemic cardiomyopathy results when the arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There may be a buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tissue. Over time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more difficult for the heart to fill and release blood.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Patients with this condition may at one time have had a heart attack, angina, or unstable angina. A few patients may not have noticed any previous symptoms.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most common type of cardiomyopathy in the United States. It affects approximately 1 out of 100 people, most often middle-aged to elderly men.”

From:

http://www.nlm.nih.g...icle/000160.htm

also

Diabetic ischemic cardiomyopathy can cause a heart attack without a level of pain that would indicate heart attack. An EKG can immediately reveal whether this was silent ischemic heart attack or not.

Also severe peripheral neuropathy and arterial disease is another factor that can limit the amount of pain a heart attack victim can have.

None of this information is meant to alarm anyone.

But we and our significant others need to be aware of these things.




And AO vets filing for Ischemic heart disease might find this information helpful.

[john999]

It is hard to imagine that the VA stepped into the heart disease cow pie. It will cost them many millions of dollars. I bet they try to parse it someway to exclude many. If they stall long enough the IHD vets will be dead soon. I wonder what the AO type disease will emerge from the OIF/OEF wars? 2 million military members have walked through those places in the last 8 years. We know about Gulf War Disease, but we don't know about what comes from these new wars.

[Loma Linda Bill]

Berta, on Dec 6 2009, 08:20 AM, said:

Ischemic heart disease, as a new AO presumptive, will certainly bring many more Agent Orange claims into the VA system.

With proof of AO exposure these claims should be very easy for the VA to rate and award.

Berta- You are good I am A RN, and a USA medical corpsman, I have CAD so good for you,

Bill



The biggest problem with these claims that I foresee is that the VA will not have adequate evidence to determine IHD as many vets with IHD might have CAD or CHF in their records as well as other medical terms that in fact mean IHD diagnosis -but maybe the VA could misinterpret this.Or a C & P doctor could opine inaccurately on this AO disease.


I was talking to notable Vets lawyer Doug Rosinki a few weeks ago ago who had answered a vets question as to CHF-Congestive Heart Failure -which may not be ischemic heart disease at all. In his opinion-as ischemia has certain medical facets unlike other types of cardiomyopathy.He is right.






Terms like atherosclerosis, hyperlipedimia, peripheral aterial disease are some key medical terms that might most l;ifely indicate the type of heart disease one could have is, in fact, ischemia.

IHD is a broad term and accounts for the most prevalent type of heart disease in the USA.

However the new regs hopefully will define this disease better and hopefully veterans will not have problems proving they have this type of heart disease due to AO exposure.













“Caused by cholesterol deposits, which block arteries, ischemic (is-KEY-mic) heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease, is still the single biggest cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 500,000 Americans each year. But the situation is changing. According to a study in the Sept. 25, 1998, New England Journal of Medicine, deaths from coronary heart disease dropped 28 percent among men and 31 percent among women between 1987 and 1994 alone. This drop is primarily due to improved care.

An estimated 14 million people in the United States have ischemic heart disease. Of these, as many as 4 million have few or no symptoms and are unaware that they are at risk for angina (angina pectoris), heart attack (myocardial infarction), or sudden death.

Angina Pectoris
Plaque deposits on the interior linings of the heart’s arteries lie at the root of <a href="http://www.acc.org/media/patient/chd/glossary.htm#angina">angina pectoris. The narrowed arteries prevent the heart from getting enough oxygen during exercise and the person experiences a chest pain beneath the breast bone—this pain is called angina pectoris. Mild or intense, the discomfort usually lasts only a few minutes. Every year, an estimated 350,000 new cases of angina occur. Today, angina pectoris can be dramatically reduced or eliminated by medications, heart surgery, or balloon dilation of narrowed arteries.”







From:http://www.acc.org/m...hd/ischemic.htm










“Silent Ischemia and Ischemic Heart Disease

What is ischemia?

Ischemia (is-KE'me-ah) is a condition in which the blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is the name for lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.

What is ischemic heart disease?

It's the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease. This can ultimately lead to heart attack.

Ischemia often causes chest pain or discomfort known as angina pectoris (AN'jih-nah or an-JI'nah PEK'tor-is).

What is silent ischemia?

As many as 3 to 4 million Americans may have ischemic episodes without knowing it. These people have ischemia without pain — silent ischemia. They may have a heart attack with no prior warning. People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodes of silent ischemia. In addition, people who have had previous heart attacks or those with diabetes are especially at risk for developing silent ischemia.

Having an exercise stress test or wearing a Holter monitor – a battery-operated portable tape recording that measures and records your electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram [ECG]) continuously, usually for 24-48 hours – are two tests often used to diagnose this problem. Other tests also may be used.

From:http://www.americanh...identifier=4720




Ischemic cardiomyopathy results when the arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There may be a buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tissue. Over time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more difficult for the heart to fill and release blood.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Patients with this condition may at one time have had a heart attack, angina, or unstable angina. A few patients may not have noticed any previous symptoms.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most common type of cardiomyopathy in the United States. It affects approximately 1 out of 100 people, most often middle-aged to elderly men.”

From:

http://www.nlm.nih.g...icle/000160.htm

also

Diabetic ischemic cardiomyopathy can cause a heart attack without a level of pain that would indicate heart attack. An EKG can immediately reveal whether this was silent ischemic heart attack or not.

Also severe peripheral neuropathy and arterial disease is another factor that can limit the amount of pain a heart attack victim can have.

None of this information is meant to alarm anyone.

But we and our significant others need to be aware of these things.




And AO vets filing for Ischemic heart disease might find this information helpful.

[bozoc]

I asked my private cardiologist which part(s) of my heart condition is ischemic heart disease. He said, "It all is. You had a clogged artery which caused your heart attack. Your heart attack caused damage to your heart muscle and irregular growth of your heart which caused one of your valves to no longer fit. You had surgery to repair that valve. You also have congestive heart failure. Everything started with and was caused by your initial artery blockage".

I filed my claim back in October. My cardiologist gave me some notes to send in with my claim that basically said the above in a detailed manner. I also signed the forms to let them have access to my cardiologist's and heart surgeon's records. It will be interesting to see how the VA looks at all of this. I am already paid at the 100% rate so my main concern is just to get service connection because the old ticker may do me in before I reach the DIC requirement of 10 years.

[john999]

For me it was the echo, then the stress test, and then another echocardiogram. They look at your heart before the stress and then after the stress from either chemical or treadmill. My tests at the VA were totally screwed up, and yet I got 60% for CAD. You have people looking at your tests in the VBA who have no idea what they are looking at. The heart cath is the sure way, but that has risks all its own. If the doctor pierces your aorta while poking around you will die. Doctors bury their mistakes. I am sure the VA would say "It was God's will" sorry 'bout dat.

[Sgt Schmidt]

jbasser, on Dec 6 2009, 09:43 PM, said:

You have to be diagnosed with heart duisease by either Echocardiogram or Cardiac Catherization.
A good medicine that would help would be a prescription of IMDUR or Isosorbide Mononitrate which is actually a very slow acting Nitro pill.

J

Just a few of my heart meds include isoorbide mononitrate 180mg per day,verapamil 120mg per day, plavix 75mg per day which my cardiologist wants me to take as long as i live, and renexa 500 mg per day which increases the blood flow to the heart muscle, and lisinopril 10mg per day. The VA will only provide plavix for a couple of months unless your cardiologist writes a letter stating you need to be on it indefently or the VA will tell you to just take an aspirin. Doctor sent a letter over 2 months ago and still not on my list of meds from the VA. ;-(


Jeff

[Berta]

calton asked:
So what is the requirement for a VA Disablity Rating for Ischemic Heart Disease

Hopefully it will be under the same DC code for atherosclerotic heart disease-

no one knows yet-the regs are not out yet in the Federal Register-vets can comment publically when it gets there-

tinker -the PAD could be rated as a PN rating for your leg- it is hard for me to say-

I think vets should claim the Ischemic heart disease with all secondary involvements-to include PAD.

This way it is all covered- then again

We have no actual regs yet for how the VA will use the Schedule of Ratings on IHD.

What stands now under CAD ratings is probably what they will use.

Hard top know.

[jbasser]

You have to be diagnosed with heart duisease by either Echocardiogram or Cardiac Catherization.
A good medicine that would help would be a prescription of IMDUR or Isosorbide Mononitrate which is actually a very slow acting Nitro pill.

J

[calton]

So what is the requirement for a VA Disablity Rating for Ischemic Heart Disease. I have been prescribed Simvastatin 80MG Tab once daily to lower cholesterol and Fish Oil (Sea Omega) 1000MG Cap twice daily to lower cholesterol, by my VA doctor, for the past ten years. So does this qualify for the VA Disability Rating, or does anyone really know?

" ischemic heart disease — A serious problem caused by inadequate circulation of blood to the heart muscle. Blood flow to the heart is blocked by obstructions of heart arteries by cholesterol deposits. Ischemic heart disease is the underlying disorder for sudden episodes such as heart attack and sudden death as well as the chronic condition of angina pectoris. Ischemic heart disease is also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease."

[tinkerertn]

Hello Berta:

I filed ischemic heart on oct 13, 2009. in my medical records sent to va with application there is records of pad. in the records dated 08/22/02 (heart bypass surgery was 05/23/2002) states impression 1. the right to left fem-fem bypass graft is occluded and there is recurrence of ischemic type flow to the entire left lower extremity, dr. bridges was informed of the findings.

Question should I have filed seperatly for pad or will it be considered with the ischemic heart?

[Berta]

Ischemic heart disease, as a new AO presumptive, will certainly bring many more Agent Orange claims into the VA system.

With proof of AO exposure these claims should be very easy for the VA to rate and award.





The biggest problem with these claims that I foresee is that the VA will not have adequate evidence to determine IHD as many vets with IHD might have CAD or CHF in their records as well as other medical terms that in fact mean IHD diagnosis -but maybe the VA could misinterpret this.Or a C & P doctor could opine inaccurately on this AO disease.


I was talking to notable Vets lawyer Doug Rosinki a few weeks ago ago who had answered a vets question as to CHF-Congestive Heart Failure -which may not be ischemic heart disease at all. In his opinion-as ischemia has certain medical facets unlike other types of cardiomyopathy.He is right.






Terms like atherosclerosis, hyperlipedimia, peripheral aterial disease are some key medical terms that might most l;ifely indicate the type of heart disease one could have is, in fact, ischemia.

IHD is a broad term and accounts for the most prevalent type of heart disease in the USA.

However the new regs hopefully will define this disease better and hopefully veterans will not have problems proving they have this type of heart disease due to AO exposure.













“Caused by cholesterol deposits, which block arteries, ischemic (is-KEY-mic) heart disease, also called coronary artery disease or coronary heart disease, is still the single biggest cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 500,000 Americans each year. But the situation is changing. According to a study in the Sept. 25, 1998, New England Journal of Medicine, deaths from coronary heart disease dropped 28 percent among men and 31 percent among women between 1987 and 1994 alone. This drop is primarily due to improved care.

An estimated 14 million people in the United States have ischemic heart disease. Of these, as many as 4 million have few or no symptoms and are unaware that they are at risk for angina (angina pectoris), heart attack (myocardial infarction), or sudden death.

Angina Pectoris
Plaque deposits on the interior linings of the heart’s arteries lie at the root of <a href="http://www.acc.org/media/patient/chd/glossary.htm#angina">angina pectoris. The narrowed arteries prevent the heart from getting enough oxygen during exercise and the person experiences a chest pain beneath the breast bone—this pain is called angina pectoris. Mild or intense, the discomfort usually lasts only a few minutes. Every year, an estimated 350,000 new cases of angina occur. Today, angina pectoris can be dramatically reduced or eliminated by medications, heart surgery, or balloon dilation of narrowed arteries.”







From:http://www.acc.org/m...hd/ischemic.htm










“Silent Ischemia and Ischemic Heart Disease

What is ischemia?

Ischemia (is-KE'me-ah) is a condition in which the blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is the name for lack of blood flow and oxygen to the heart muscle.

What is ischemic heart disease?

It's the term given to heart problems caused by narrowed heart arteries. When arteries are narrowed, less blood and oxygen reaches the heart muscle. This is also called coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease. This can ultimately lead to heart attack.

Ischemia often causes chest pain or discomfort known as angina pectoris (AN'jih-nah or an-JI'nah PEK'tor-is).

What is silent ischemia?

As many as 3 to 4 million Americans may have ischemic episodes without knowing it. These people have ischemia without pain — silent ischemia. They may have a heart attack with no prior warning. People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodes of silent ischemia. In addition, people who have had previous heart attacks or those with diabetes are especially at risk for developing silent ischemia.

Having an exercise stress test or wearing a Holter monitor – a battery-operated portable tape recording that measures and records your electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram [ECG]) continuously, usually for 24-48 hours – are two tests often used to diagnose this problem. Other tests also may be used.

From:http://www.americanh...identifier=4720




Ischemic cardiomyopathy results when the arteries that bring blood and oxygen to the heart are blocked. There may be a buildup of cholesterol and other substances, called plaque, in the arteries that bring oxygen to heart muscle tissue. Over time, the heart muscle does not work well, and it is more difficult for the heart to fill and release blood.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a common cause of congestive heart failure. Patients with this condition may at one time have had a heart attack, angina, or unstable angina. A few patients may not have noticed any previous symptoms.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most common type of cardiomyopathy in the United States. It affects approximately 1 out of 100 people, most often middle-aged to elderly men.”

From:

http://www.nlm.nih.g...icle/000160.htm

also

Diabetic ischemic cardiomyopathy can cause a heart attack without a level of pain that would indicate heart attack. An EKG can immediately reveal whether this was silent ischemic heart attack or not.

Also severe peripheral neuropathy and arterial disease is another factor that can limit the amount of pain a heart attack victim can have.

None of this information is meant to alarm anyone.

But we and our significant others need to be aware of these things.




And AO vets filing for Ischemic heart disease might find this information helpful.