12 replies to this topic

[Shalia]

I have a question on behalf of my boyfriend.

When he was in the Army 15 years or so ago, he was diagnosed with high cholesterol, and given a minimum dose of a statin. When he got out, he was told cholesterol was hereditary and he didn't qualify for VA compensation.

Since then, however, he's had two heart attacks, and the doctors have told him that inadequate treatment of his cholesterol problem when it was found are likely responsible. I'm trying to find out if that would qualify him for VA benefits or not? Is there a way to find out? You guys are always so smart here I figured I'd ask. =)

Thanks!

Shalia

[jerrbilly]

The VA is partly wrong on this. I have high cholesterol due to meds I take for my service connected condition. I made sure my doctor documented this in my records in case I have a heart attach or develop cardiovascular disease. I found out the VA will not service connect just for high cholesterol but will for conditions caused by high lipids.

In his case, if he has in his records somewhere that his parents have high cholesterol he won't get service connected since it would be hereditary in his situation. If he had another condition at the time of diagnosis of high lipids and you suspect this might have been causing the high lipid condition then you might have a case. In all general sense though, If you don't have an underlying condition that's causing the high lipids then it's a long shot at best.

Hope this helps,

Jerr

I have a question on behalf of my boyfriend.

When he was in the Army 15 years or so ago, he was diagnosed with high cholesterol, and given a minimum dose of a statin. When he got out, he was told cholesterol was hereditary and he didn't qualify for VA compensation.

Since then, however, he's had two heart attacks, and the doctors have told him that inadequate treatment of his cholesterol problem when it was found are likely responsible. I'm trying to find out if that would qualify him for VA benefits or not? Is there a way to find out? You guys are always so smart here I figured I'd ask. =)

Thanks!

Shalia

[Shalia]

Well, if it's not medication related (and it isn't), is there a way to prove that inadequate care of a genetic condition while in resulted in major issues later? His cholesterol when tested was over 400. They gave him the minimum dose of a statin drug, and sent him to Desert Storm. Had he been adequately taken care of at the time, the heart attacks might not have happened. Or at least not when still in his 20's.

Thanks again for any clarification. He's trying to figure out if he should try and apply or not.

[jerrbilly]

Straight up, if you think you need to file, file but this is going to be hard claim to win if you're claiming it was due to inadequate care.

You will have to get a professional opinion stating that the inadequate care (minimum dose of statin) led to later heart attacks (complications)

What did they say caused the heart attacks?

Jerr

Well, if it's not medication related (and it isn't), is there a way to prove that inadequate care of a genetic condition while in resulted in major issues later? His cholesterol when tested was over 400. They gave him the minimum dose of a statin drug, and sent him to Desert Storm. Had he been adequately taken care of at the time, the heart attacks might not have happened. Or at least not when still in his 20's.

Thanks again for any clarification. He's trying to figure out if he should try and apply or not.

[Shalia]

Straight up, if you think you need to file, file but this is going to be hard claim to win if you're claiming it was due to inadequate care.

You will have to get a professional opinion stating that the inadequate care (minimum dose of statin) led to later heart attacks (complications)

What did they say caused the heart attacks?

Jerr

Exactly that... inadequate care of cholesterol at the time. They said he was a ticking time bomb. =/

Thanks!

[jerrbilly]

Well, the thing is when I started on Pravastatin they gave me a very small dose because of the possible side-effects. Then, after about three months, I was boosted up to normal dosage.

You will have to prove to the VA that his heart complications wouldn't have occured with proper dosage. This will be hard to do since his condition was genetic.

This is a hard case. I'm not telling you to not file but this will be a long shot.

Jerr

Exactly that... inadequate care of cholesterol at the time. They said he was a ticking time bomb. =/

Thanks!

[john999]

Did your boy friend continue to take statins after he was diagnosed? You know if you are diagnosed with something like high blood pressure and then are SC'ed for heart disease the VA will resiste making the high blood pressure SC because it was found before the heart disease. This is their mindset so imagine how they will gook at you trying to prove heart attacks happened because a vet was diagnosed 15 years ago with high cholesterol. If he had chest pains or some other cardiovascular condition while he was in service that would be another matter.

[poolguy11550]

1. Inadequate treatment while in-service would most likely fall under the Feres doctrine. This means that your SOL towards a claim.

2. High cholesterol is not a medical condition. Truth be told, nobody understands the relationship of high cholesterol and heart disease. Statics show a link between high cholesterol and certain conditions related to heart disease. The Same is true for HIV and AIDS, statics show a link but science has yet to prove the relationship. There are accepted theories, but unproven none-the-less.

So, I can tell you now, that VA's stance toward this claim will be that high cholesterol is not a medical condition and heart disease can even occur in people with normal cholesterol.

I agree with John, what other symptoms of possible heart disease my have been noted during service? You have to connect the high cholesterol to other possible symptoms and you may prove that the objective test for heart disease was the blood test showing high cholesterol supported by the subjected complaints- if documented.

As a sort-of well known fact, most Americans are at one stage or anther in the development of heart disease by time they are in their 20's.

[jbasser]

get your boyfriends service medical records and look at his BP readings in service. If they are high then you can connect the dots from that. ALso get his other medical information, especially during his first year post service. If the BP readings were hifh then is falls under presumptive if the systolic is 160 or higher or diastolic is 100 or higher. (In order to be presumptive it must be compensable according to the regulations).

J

[jerrbilly]

I think High Cholesterol is a medical condition. I take medication to lower my bad cholesterol. Anything you have to be treated for is considered a medical condition.

Its not considered a "disabling" medical condition (on its own) and this would be the reason the VA doesn't compensate for it.

Jerr

1. High cholesterol is not a medical condition. Truth be told, nobody understands the relationship of high cholesterol and heart disease. Statics show a link between high cholesterol and certain conditions related to heart disease. The Same is true for HIV and AIDS, statics show a link but science has yet to prove the relationship. There are accepted theories, but unproven none-the-less.

[Shalia]

get your boyfriends service medical records and look at his BP readings in service. If they are high then you can connect the dots from that. ALso get his other medical information, especially during his first year post service. If the BP readings were hifh then is falls under presumptive if the systolic is 160 or higher or diastolic is 100 or higher. (In order to be presumptive it must be compensable according to the regulations).

J

Wait, so high blood pressure is compensatable, but high cholesterol is not? Huh... I'll get him to get the records for that. His blood pressure is sky high now, not sure how it was 15 years ago though. Thanks for the tip!

As to the other questions, he's been on a statin since he was told his cholesterol was high. Taken like prescribed.

[john999]

I agree that if your boy friend had HBP readings in service this might be the place to start. HBP is compensable and also can be shown to lead to heart disease and other cardiovascular problems like stroke. The SMR's are what you must mine to find something to go on to get SC'ed for the current problems. The more time passes between discharge and a claim the harder it gets.

My brother has high cholesterol and it has been under control for about 20 years. So far he is ok. I have high cholesterol and mine in controlled but I still developed CAD due to DMII. Now I also take blood pressure meds. At present I have lived about 15 years longer than my father who died from heart disease (WWII vet who smoked and had no idea about cholesterol). If your boy friend smokes that is a deadly combination with high cholesterol and HBP. I am sure with his heart problems he does not smoke, but that is a warning to others.

[jerrbilly]

I got this from another post:


7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic

hypertension):



Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more............................................................. 60



Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more............................................................. 40



Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure

predominantly 200 or more............................................................................
....... 20



Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure

predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an

individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100

or more who requires continuous medication for control......................................... 10

Wait, so high blood pressure is compensatable, but high cholesterol is not? Huh... I'll get him to get the records for that. His blood pressure is sky high now, not sure how it was 15 years ago though. Thanks for the tip!

As to the other questions, he's been on a statin since he was told his cholesterol was high. Taken like prescribed.