Sudden Cardiac Arrest / ICD

[spad0303]

Hello Spad0303,
I was found fit for duty also, its kind of crazy because having an ICD inplace has a rating of 100% VA. I can not deploy and I can not perform the run or walk on my PT test. I'm in the Air National Guard if that makes a difference. I did apply for a VA claim back in Jan of 2013 and I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I check on Ebenefit's web site on the status and it says my claim waiting time in from Nov 2013 to June 2014. I have my next Dr. Appt on 10 Oct with my EP Dr. so I'll get to find out if I had any episodes or not. Good luck!

IronCity,
I'm glad to see they are not just finding everyone not fit for duty at the FPEB. I'm 39, in the Army, been for 21 years and have just recently been promoted to CSM. Would like to retire when I no longer enjoy my job, however; this whole MEB process is not that enjoyable. I still go to the gym every morning and conduct PT with my Soldiers. I wear a watch that monitors my heart rate so I dont over do it. One concern I have is the number of Soldiers who have had this happen. Not sure the Army really is trying to look into this because it may bite them in the end. I was deployed to Afghanistan and had this happen March 22nd; implant was April 3rd, back to work April 10th. A lot of pain back then due to my sternum being broken. I was taking Doxy for Malaria and some cold medicine at the time of the sudden death. As most of these folks, the DRs and experts could not find any reason this happened. Heart is fine, EP could not recreate the incident so the ICD goes in. I am just curious if the malaria drug had anything to do with it and if anyone else is at risk because these drugs may have not been tested as they should have been. Not a conspiracy theorist but concerned. Thoughts are very welcome.

 

[IronCity]

Spad0303,
I'm 38, been in the military for 20 years, so we are really close in age and way to young for all of this. I was deployed to the Deid and got home Aug 17, 2012 and had my Sudden Cardiac death during my PT test after I finished the run, I just fell over on Sept. 6, 2012. I got my ICD on sept 17th and was back to work at the end of Oct 2012. The DR. says my heart is fine, I'm in good shape and not over weight and they still don't know why it happened? I'm still waiting on the results of some gentics blood work, they are testing for 29 different things. I hope to get the results the first week of october. I was not on any meds at the time, I did have a small cold and under some stress at the time. I not do a litle job around the base and I hit the weights for time to time and just live my normal life. But I do have to say I get VERY tired at times, not sure but it might be the meds that I'm on now. I was thinking about maybe that sticking anthrax shot was have played a role, but who knows. Nice talking with you though. Hope all goes well for you!

 

[spad0303]

Spad0303,
I'm 38, been in the military for 20 years, so we are really close in age and way to young for all of this. I was deployed to the Deid and got home Aug 17, 2012 and had my Sudden Cardiac death during my PT test after I finished the run, I just fell over on Sept. 6, 2012. I got my ICD on sept 17th and was back to work at the end of Oct 2012. The DR. says my heart is fine, I'm in good shape and not over weight and they still don't know why it happened? I'm still waiting on the results of some gentics blood work, they are testing for 29 different things. I hope to get the results the first week of october. I was not on any meds at the time, I did have a small cold and under some stress at the time. I not do a litle job around the base and I hit the weights for time to time and just live my normal life. But I do have to say I get VERY tired at times, not sure but it might be the meds that I'm on now. I was thinking about maybe that sticking anthrax shot was have played a role, but who knows. Nice talking with you though. Hope all goes well for you!

I too had just finished running and was told I just collapsed; dont remember anything prior to waking up in Landstuhl. I have been unable to get the genetic testing approved here at Bliss. Good to see someone got it approved. I also feel very tired at times but I think it is mainly due to not sleeping well some nights stressed because I always think I am going to cause my ICD to shift if I sleep wrong. Let me know how the genetics test turns out. Good luck and thanks.

 

[spad0303]

Received my 199 yesterday; 100 percent for both VA and DoD as expected. Still plan to have a formal hearing and find out exactly why they feel I am not fit for duty. I don't expect them to change their decision as I am sure they don't want to feel they are wrong about anything. Not sure how this shitdown will affect the hearing date as it seems to have not affected anything else.

 

[IronCity]

Spad0303, Congrats on getting your 100%! I hope your hearing goes your way, good luck buddy and let me know how it goes. I believe the VA in finally working on my case now and my claim was moved to another regional office to help out the process, but this "shutdown" is not going to help matters much. They just needed some more paperwork off me as usual. I'll keep you in the loop.

 

[mathias]

Hello, I suffered Sudden Cardiac Death, secondary to arrhythmia, have Cardiomyopathy Dilated and have Cardiac Defibrillator/pacemaker implanted, along with anoxic brain injury that affects mostly short term memory. I started MEB in Feb 2013, was found unfit for duty in July 2013. I have found comfort in reading the discussions in Cardiac Conditions in this Forum and have hope that a just rating is possible, however I am still worried in what to do if I don't.

 

[Tim B]

Hi Mathias,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear what happened to you and would like to Thank You for your Service. From what you have posted and having an AICD in place/implanted according to the VASRD dc 7011 it's 100%. Preview a few pages back on this thread and you can see according to the regs it's 100% and this is what you should expect, if for some reason they don't give you this rating then you need to fight it all the way with your appeals as well as maybe hiring a lawyer if it goes that far. I think you will be okay with the initial results but don't settle for anything less than 100%. Keep us posted, Thank You for your service and welcome.

 

[mathias]

Hi Mathias,

Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry to hear what happened to you and would like to Thank You for your Service. From what you have posted and having an AICD in place/implanted according to the VASRD dc 7011 it's 100%. Preview a few pages back on this thread and you can see according to the regs it's 100% and this is what you should expect, if for some reason they don't give you this rating then you need to fight it all the way with your appeals as well as maybe hiring a lawyer if it goes that far. I think you will be okay with the initial results but don't settle for anything less than 100%. Keep us posted, Thank You for your service and welcome.

I received my 199, 100% DoD and VA, I'll by out by 27 Feb 14 after over 26 years. I'm thankful for everything and happy to be alive.

 

[Warrior644]

I received my 199, 100% DoD and VA, I'll by out by 27 Feb 14 after over 26 years. I'm thankful for everything and happy to be alive.

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

All right! Good deal! Indeed, congratulations!

To that extent, enjoy your forthcoming military disability retirement to include all post-military endeavors!

Hmm, did you receive a PDRL finding as a result of your medical condition(s)? Moreover, did the DoVA D-RAS issue an 100% P&T increased proposed rating? Just out of curiosity if you are willing to share; that's all!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[mathias]

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

All right! Good deal! Indeed, congratulations!

To that extent, enjoy your forthcoming military disability retirement to include all post-military endeavors!

Hmm, did you receive a PDRL finding as a result of your medical condition(s)? Moreover, did the DoVA D-RAS issue an 100% P&T increased proposed rating? Just out of curiosity if you are willing to share; that's all!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

On my 199 section II it says Soldier is Physically unfit and recommends a rating of 100% and that the Soldier's disposition be permanent Disability Retirement. Does that mean PDRL? I don't know how to tell if the DoVA D-RAS issued an 100% P&T increased proposed rating. How or where do I find that?

 

[Jason Perry]

On my 199 section II it says Soldier is Physically unfit and recommends a rating of 100% and that the Soldier's disposition be permanent Disability Retirement. Does that mean PDRL? I don't know how to tell if the DoVA D-RAS issued an 100% P&T increased proposed rating. How or where do I find that?

Yes, it means PDRL.

Generally, the VA findings would state Permanent and Total. Though, with the decision coming from the IDES system proposed ratings, I would not rely on any findings or statements as dispositive. There are more issues here, but this is a quick fire response that I hope helps. If I have a chance, I will respond further.

 

[Warrior644]

On my 199 section II it says Soldier is Physically unfit and recommends a rating of 100% and that the Soldier's disposition be permanent Disability Retirement. Does that mean PDRL? I don't know how to tell if the DoVA D-RAS issued an 100% P&T increased proposed rating. How or where do I find that?

Yes, it means PDRL.

Generally, the VA findings would state Permanent and Total. Though, with the decision coming from the IDES system proposed ratings, I would not rely on any findings or statements as dispositive. There are more issues here, but this is a quick fire response that I hope helps. If I have a chance,I will respond further.

@mathias: Indeed, there it is; good deal!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[Tim B]

Mathias,

CONGRATS on your ratings!!! Enjoy your post military, newly adjusted life! Again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE and we all are happy that you got what you deserved. Good for you brother and enjoy!

 

[IronCity]

Mathias, Congrats on your ratings that's great news!! I hope that you're recovering well and enjoy your life with your family. Thanks for your service! I'm still waiting to hear on my claim, Ebenefit's status just moved up to "preparation for decision". So I hope to hear some good news too! I'm still currently serving in the ANG with an annual waiver, but I'm no longer serving. I'm a dual status technician so I guessing once my claim comes through I'll be done militarily and then I'll be done with a technician job a few months later.

 

[IronCity]

Sorry I messed up what I was saying. I meant to say I'm still currently serving but I'm on an annual waiver, but I'm no longer deployable.

 

[Tim B]

Hi IronCity,

I hope you get results at least on the VA side soon. It took about 3 weeks for my once I was in Prep for Decision, then it was in Pending Decision Approval for a week then Prep For Notification a couple of days. From once they completed my claim I received my packet in the mail in 6 days, the day after I received my packet I received my retro pay. So for my experience with the VA has been good and I hope you get similar results. They gave me 100% P&T for my AICD. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

[IronCity]

Well I finally viewed my AB8 form on Ebenifits and I'm a very happy camper! Almost 13 months to the date. I'm service connected at 100% totally & permanently for the AICD in place. I'm still waiting on the "Brown envelope" to show up and for the back pay. I'm so happy! Now I just need to get my mind and meds balanced out. Thank you all for the support along the way, you guys and gals have been very helpful. I'm still currently serving in the ANG on a waiver, so I guess I'll break the news to them tomorrow that I'll be working on getting out. I'm still kind of lost on why I was kept around, but it worked out for the best. I probably should wait to tell the base until I get the official paperwork in the mail though. I talked to a Chief at the MPF and told him a filed for a VA disability and I asked him if they get notified once I get my rating and he said no. The only way they know about my rating is if I tell them about it. I find that hard to believe, anyone here of this happening before? Thanks again for the help, support and most of all for you service to our country! God Bless, Chris

 

[TSgt Twitch]

Well I finally viewed my AB8 form on Ebenifits and I'm a very happy camper! Almost 13 months to the date. I'm service connected at 100% totally & permanently for the AICD in place. I'm still waiting on the "Brown envelope" to show up and for the back pay. I'm so happy! Now I just need to get my mind and meds balanced out. Thank you all for the support along the way, you guys and gals have been very helpful. I'm still currently serving in the ANG on a waiver, so I guess I'll break the news to them tomorrow that I'll be working on getting out. I'm still kind of lost on why I was kept around, but it worked out for the best. I probably should wait to tell the base until I get the official paperwork in the mail though. I talked to a Chief at the MPF and told him a filed for a VA disability and I asked him if they get notified once I get my rating and he said no. The only way they know about my rating is if I tell them about it. I find that hard to believe, anyone here of this happening before? Thanks again for the help, support and most of all for you service to our country! God Bless, Chris

referencing my other post, being medicaly retired/discharged would benefit your greatly as a dual status, I believe you would likely qualify for a FERS retirement, which means both pensions. if you just separate, I am not sure that would qualify you for a fers disability retirement. could be wrong its happened before.

 

[IronCity]

I'll need to talk this all over with my chain of command and start the process. I was granted a waiver last year and it expires 31 Mar 14 and I was working on the paperwork to get it re-newed. I'm not just going to "get out", I'm going to start the process to get medically discharged. When I get medically discharged that will start the process with the technician side of the house so I can collect the 60/40 technician disability. A bit confusing and I think it is all backwards, but it's starting to come together. FYI... they never send my case to the MEB. I'll keep you folks in the loop of what is going on.

 

[thedonwesley]

Well, here is a late update on my situation... they denied the claim. So evidence wise as I am about to go in front of the BVA soon.
Evidence I have:

A - NEVER had any sort of heart problem, chest pain, nothing issue wise with my heart prior to military

1st - In basic training I had chest pain, got put in a civilian hospital because EKG showed something was wrong, the symptoms ended and 3 days later I got sent back to training without diagnosis of what was causing it

2nd - In afghanistan, I had chest pain, back pain, insomnia, anxiety ect ect... all treated by my field medic because of no aide station local, so he wrote a big long lay statement for this upcoming board of veterans appeals for me stating all of my symptoms while deployed.

3rd - Within a year of being out of the army (around 5 months after) my heart stopped and I recieved an ICD, the va hospital implanted the ICD, after making the civilian hospital I was in transfer me to them, an I am assuming the VA finally covered the medical bills since i havent received any in a long time. - I figured it would be presumed because it was so close to my ETS.

Shouldn't that be sufficient evidence to tie the claim to the military and be granted service connection?