Sudden Cardiac Arrest / ICD

From what I believe and I have spoken with a couple of prior service members who have got service connected disability for having AICD-it's 100%.

So to answer your question-"Does that mean if required to have the implant forever that I should get 100%?"

YES, I believe as long as you have the AICD implanted in your body you should be getting 100%, you can not quote me on that but from what the regs say, my lawyer, and speaking with other SMs it seems accurate. You should at least be fighting/expecting that rating and if anything else is given from them, I would seek a lawyer who has experience in MEBs to appeal it. I mean, whatever condition requires a doctor to implant a foreign object in your chest for life saving therapy is a pretty serious condition and warrants a 100% rating.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation and past experience which required you to get an AICD, but luckily you have one know to prevent something like that from happening in the future. So, keep your head up and let us know what's going on with you.

One last thing, have you been shocked yet? Just getting this device and having the possibility of getting shocked at any point is enough to cause someone to experience other issues i.e., ptsd, anxiety disorder, or depression from what I have read so you might want to keep this in your mind. I personally haven't been shocked yet, I only have had mine for about 6 months, but I do feel it pacing me alot and there have been serveral times that I have woken up from a dead sleep thinking that I'm going to get shocked. So, this causes me some extra stress. Keep in touch, hope everything works out.
 
I have never been shocked yet, I do believe I felt it pace me once or twice but nothing to serious. But yeah as you said, the thought of being active and it shocking me is always on my mind whenever I am doing anything that takes any sort of exertion... An to have my heart completely stop in my sleep, and wake up in a hospital a week or so later does make me wonder a lot. A little depression, and I got diagnosed with ptsd from that and from my deployment by the va psychiatrist. I haven't pursued a claim for the ptsd though, only because my rep wants to wait until this claim finishes. I will definitely keep you posted on the outcome of this claim.
 
Oh an yes, I woke up dead asleep not long ago thinking it had shocked me in my sleep lol!!! Wasn't too sure if it did or not but I will find out next time I see the lady that monitors it.
 
Another question, if my claim is in pending decision approval, that would mean that it is definitely service connected? Especially since it happened 4 months from my ETS. Also the va handles all of the med bills and appointments an stuff...
 
Hello everyone! I'm new to the site and this site is amazing with all the knowledge. First off I'm glad that those of you that had your SCR survived, less than 10% of people recover from this and we were the lucky ones.
First off I'm an E-7 in the Air Guard age 37 with 20 years in service this July. I had my SCR on 6 Sept 12 after passing my PT test and ended up getting an AICD installed in my chest on 17 Sept 12 and was told I will have it for the rest of my life. The Dr's still can't really narrow down what caused this to me, very disappointing. Finally my base will be sending out my MEB paperwork to Wright Patterson AFB. From what I hear it could take awhile for the results. I contacted my regional VA rep and he said to start my VA disability paperwork as soon as I could, because it takes awhile. I sent that paperwork out about 1 1/2 months ago. From what I was reading it looks like i "should" get 100% disability, fingers are crossed. In the meantime I'm working my fulltime technician job with no restrictions. According to AFI 48-123 it states that I cannot deploy with an AICD and I'm in a deployable position. SO not sure what’s going to happen. I'm not sure if a waiver could really be granted for this situation or not. Also since I'm a fulltime technician and I'm waiting for my MEB results are there some sort of regulations or not for the individual to be placed on Title 10 orders? Over all I feel pretty good, but I do take medication for depression and I do get very tired a lot. Thanks to everyone for the guidance! I will be sure to keep you all posted of my status. It's hard to get information on your own when the folks at my base have no clue of what’s going on! LOL...
 
Hello everyone! I'm new to the site and this site is amazing with all the knowledge. First off I'm glad that those of you that had your SCR survived, less than 10% of people recover from this and we were the lucky ones.
First off I'm an E-7 in the Air Guard age 37 with 20 years in service this July. I had my SCR on 6 Sept 12 after passing my PT test and ended up getting an AICD installed in my chest on 17 Sept 12 and was told I will have it for the rest of my life. The Dr's still can't really narrow down what caused this to me, very disappointing. Finally my base will be sending out my MEB paperwork to Wright Patterson AFB. From what I hear it could take awhile for the results. I contacted my regional VA rep and he said to start my VA disability paperwork as soon as I could, because it takes awhile. I sent that paperwork out about 1 1/2 months ago. From what I was reading it looks like i "should" get 100% disability, fingers are crossed. In the meantime I'm working my fulltime technician job with no restrictions. According to AFI 48-123 it states that I cannot deploy with an AICD and I'm in a deployable position. SO not sure what’s going to happen. I'm not sure if a waiver could really be granted for this situation or not. Also since I'm a fulltime technician and I'm waiting for my MEB results are there some sort of regulations or not for the individual to be placed on Title 10 orders? Over all I feel pretty good, but I do take medication for depression and I do get very tired a lot. Thanks to everyone for the guidance! I will be sure to keep you all posted of my status. It's hard to get information on your own when the folks at my base have no clue of what’s going on! LOL...

IronCity, First let me welcome you to the board. We will gladly help you in anyway we can. Please start a separate thread with your specific information and we can much better assist you. We are working on cleaning up threads and replies that don't answer the OPs question. You will also see a much better response to your question if you start your own thread. Thanks for your help.

Joe
 
Thank you Ranger! A new thread was made. Look forward to talking with everyone.

Chris
 
Iron - go back a few pages on this thread I had similiar questions already answered, TIM B is very helpful
 
Good news thedownwesley, looks like it's moving along, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you hear some good news soon.
 
Good news thedownwesley, looks like it's moving along, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you hear some good news soon.

Im scared to get my hopes up and then find it not to be 100% lol... nerve-wrecking for sure!
 
I know what you mean, I have been preparing for a fight/the possibility that they try to give something other than 100% but according to the CFR section DC 7011, having an AICD is rated at 100. It's hard to believe until you actually see your ratings cause each case is different but with seeing a couple of other SMs on this board get 100 thats what should happen. Scroll back to page 1 of this thread and rringle got 100% too. Also, my lawyer told me that they try to give some SMs a 30% rating which they are trying to pass off rating it at 30% for a pacemaker, but an AICD is much more serious and since AICD has specific language in the VASRD then it needs to be rated at 100. Oh, have they been able to determine what caused your SCA?
 
Brugada Syndrome - my heart stopped while i was sleeping and i was technically dead... they had to aed shock me 4 times to get my heart going again...
 
Oh, I apologize, I think you mentioned that already. I will try to do a little research to see what Brugada Syndrome is listed in the VASRD, but I think it might not be. Do you have any abnormal heart function ejection fraction levels, or abnormal EKGs, or heart composition since this can be rateable too. I have a couple of VA court cases that I have found/saved pertaining to AICDs if you need any in the future that could help for fighting your case.
 
Oh, I apologize, I think you mentioned that already. I will try to do a little research to see what Brugada Syndrome is listed in the VASRD, but I think it might not be. Do you have any abnormal heart function ejection fraction levels, or abnormal EKGs, or heart composition since this can be rateable too. I have a couple of VA court cases that I have found/saved pertaining to AICDs if you need any in the future that could help for fighting your case.
uhmm not really sure... i have had it since may 2012 and the lady that monitors it says it had 1 significant issue, then jan 2013 the lady said I had a couple issues so i have no clue... my heart according to diagnoses has an electrical issue that caused it to stop... it may not happen again but they cant say for sure. but i need the icd for life incase it does stop again...
 
I would say so. Thanks what I pulling for myself!
 
AHH man I can't take it anymore! My claim said complete on saturday an now I am waiting for mail not knowing if it was denied or approved or what rating or anything!!! I am going crazy!!! all the thought about this claim has possessed me with demons!! aaahhhhhhhhhh I am screaming in my guard shack as i type this i can't take it anymore!!
 
I'm needing alot of information if any one has some experience with this my PEB formal hearing found me fit for duty status post aortic valve replacement with sudden cardiac arrest and icd implantation. I am an LVN active duty without retention and receiving SSDI. First question is that SSDI taxable? I was under the impression "no" because of wounded warrior act. Second question is i have had since implantation of ICD in April 2009 had over 250 episodes of Vtach and non sustained Vtach along with Vfib that did not initiate a shock due to the threshold of device. Why am I still in and fit for duty when i cant deploy, cant PT, cant fire a weapon or carry a fighting load but I am on limited duty for an 8 hr duty day. Is there another chance for yet another med board and if not what are expected projections for VA disability after my ETS? alot of questions i know but would appreciate some answers

Herlobster,
i will be attending my formal PEB soon as well for the same thing. Only difference is I am trying to stay in. Would like to know how you were able to be found fit for duty. I do not have any of the restrictions you mentioned having and just would like to be able to change their mind with something other than saying "you let herlobster stay in." thanks,
 
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!
 
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