Why can’t the VA rely on these records to prove PTSD is likely to cause heart attacks and hypertension?

2020-05-20T15:22:53-04:00

Howard Foy (my husband of 39 years) died in Sep 2019. He was 100% permanent PTSD. His death certificate states heart attack and hypertension were the causes of death. Because PTSD is not a cause of death, the VA denied my DIC claim stating his death was not service connected. I have had to hire a lawyer to appeal the decision.
Since the VA has more medical and mental records of people suffering from PTSD and the health conditions caused by it, I find it stunning the VA cannot use these resources to show the link of PTSD to heart disease and hypertension. The VA even publishes quarterly newsletters discussing the medical conditions caused by PTSD and has studied the link since 1993. The newsletters should be considered as substantial evidence proving PTSD causes heart attacks and hypertension.
My question is: Why can’t the VA rely on these records to prove PTSD is likely to cause heart attacks and hypertension?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 20 at 2020 3:30 PM

2020-05-20T15:30:13-04:00

The VA only follows it's own guidelines on certain issues. My condolences on your loss.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 20 at 2020 3:53 PM

2020-05-20T15:53:43-04:00

You're very welcome ma'am

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made May 20 at 2020 4:03 PM

2020-05-20T16:03:19-04:00

How long did he have the 100% rating ?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 4:53 PM

2020-05-20T16:53:23-04:00

Cecilia Foy I am sorry for your loss. Good luck with your claim.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 5:06 PM

2020-05-20T17:06:28-04:00

As someone who does these ratings, there is a very specific thing we are looking for and it is on the Death Certificate. The cause of death on there is gospel. If hypertension for example is the primary COD, we are looking for a secondary that states PTSD or associated mental disorders (Depression, Anxiety, etc) Without that, your appeal will not succeed.
Your best alternative if the DC is complete and can't be amended is documentation from his physician that his hypertension was partially or fully caused by his psychological distress.
Message me directly and I can go deeper in the weeds with you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 7:12 PM

2020-05-20T19:12:41-04:00

As others have previously mentioned, there is usually an underlying cause to Hypertension. While PTSD can lead to health issues, if it cant be proven without a reasonable doubt that his PTSD caused his heart attack, you unfortunately are not going to win this appeal. While some studies say PTSD is linked to heart attacks, others say that PTSD can increase the generalized risk of having other risk factors for one I.E. High Blood pressure or plaque build ups.

In the case of your late husband, the VA is likely going to deny any appeal because there is absolutely no doctor on this planet that is going to say with 100% certainty that his PTSD led to his heart attack. Its a game of proving what led to it/ not what could have led to it.

How can you prove that there was no underlying medical condition that could have led to the heart attack?

Response by Tessa Ray made Apr 28 at 2021 8:25 PM

2021-04-28T20:25:59-04:00

My husband passed away November 2019 from heart issues. He had never been treated or diagnosed with any kind of heart disease, so it was a shock to happen at 42yrs old.