“How to increase my VA benefits”, this question has set many people on the quest to find its answer. If the common query of increase my VA benefits has brought you here, you are at the right place.
We’ve got some serious science here, ladies and gentlemen, and a medical scientist I am not. So, let’s hear a little bit about this from Mayo Clinic before I start my usual insightful VA banter.
If you are also one of those who are constantly looking to increase my VA benefits, there are a few things that you should be aware of. Let’s make sure that what you’re calling a “heart problem” is really a heart problem in the eyes of medicine, and the VA:
The following are the most common signs of arrhythmia:Palpitations, Fatigue, Difficulty in breathing, Chest pain, Dizziness, Fainting. If these are happening to you? You need to consult with a doctor. All you have to do here is to find ways to stay alive and then worry about how to increase my VA benefits.
The following are some the conditions that may trigger arrhythmia:Heart Illness, Imbalanced blood electrolytes, Heart attack injury, Heart muscles changes or adaptation, Cause by after-surgery heart healing. Notice something not on this list? Anything to do with military service. Double check to make sure your heart problem is “service-connected.” If it isn’t, then the rest of this isn’t going to help you much. Still didn’t find the answer to how to increase my VA benefits? Read further, there’s more for you.
Regardless your VA claim, let’s take a moment to back up, get some perspective, and get smart about staying alive. A VA claim isn’t going to help you if you’re not here among us to enjoy it. You need to be taking very good care of yourself. As little as I like to see a doctor, aregular checkup is the key to prevent complications of abnormal heartbeat.
Specifically, what do I need to do to increase my VA Disability Benefits for Heart problems?
The fast and unhappy answer here is that you’re going to need to see your doctor before you even start your claim. Medical evidence is required for this form of disability, and you’re specifically going to need an electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG is a test that is used to detect signs of heart problems.
Additionally, and most importantly, you’ll be required toprovide the result of your MET (Metabolic Equivalent of Task) exam. MET is a medical exam used to measure the amount of oxygen consumed by the body during strenuous activities. The result of the MET will be used to determine your disability privilege.
What symptoms and severity qualify for what VA disability rating?
100%.
Those people with continuous congestive heart failure may avail of this VA benefit. But of course, you need to comply with some requirements first. What are those? Well, you need to score 3 METs or lesser to qualify for this benefit. Another requirement is the doctor’s certification that, indeed you are experiencing shortness of breath. Proof of chest pain, dizziness, and fatigue may also qualify you. People whose left ventricle is pushing less than 30% of blood (each beat) may also apply for a 100% VA claim.
60%.
If you experience congestive heart failure, two times in a year, then you are entitled to this benefit. Aside from this, a 4-5 MET score is also needed. VA will also ask for proof of shortness of breathing, dizziness, and even chest pain.
30%.
This rating is given to people with a 6-7 MET score. You will also be required to present evidence of hypertrophy (heart muscle thickening). If in case you have an enlarged heart, just show results of your laboratories, and you will be entitled.
10%.
When you have MET score anywhere between 8-10, you fall into this rating. Evidence of fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath must also be established beforehand. And of course, you have to convince the VA that you need to undergo continuous medication.
You’ll note that I have only tackled arrythmia here. For other heart conditions such as hyperthyroid and supraventricular arrhythmias, a different rating system applies. I’ll have to tackle those in another blog. Or two. It’s late. So, I’ll give my usual sign-off now. However, you can continue to embark on your journey of finding ways to ‘increase my VA benefits’.
If you want to increase your VA Disability Rating, and accordingly increase your VA Benefits, then you have to know this information going in. And always remember your “Intent to File” to preserve your retroactivity. We hope now you have found the answer to “how to increase my VA benefits?”
Give us a call, fill out the website form, or shoot us an email. Do it right and leave it to trained professionals, like me. As always, there’s far more to know about this stuff than I can possibly tell you in a little blog like this!