Bethanie from Valor 4 Vet joins us to break down the heart conditions DBQ and explain how veterans can prepare for their VA exams to maximize their chances of a fair rating.
• Heart conditions DBQs now focus on METs testing rather than ejection fraction for determining disability ratings
• Emergency room records, cardiac procedure documentation, and echocardiogram results are crucial evidence for heart claims
• Interview-based METs testing evaluates at what level of activity veterans experience symptoms like breathlessness, fatigue, and chest pain
• A MET score of 1-3 (symptoms during minimal activity like showering) warrants a 100% rating
• A score of 3-5 METs (symptoms during activities like power mowing) warrants a 60% rating
• Veterans with diabetes often develop arrhythmias and other cardiac complications that require monitoring
• Advocating for yourself is crucial—request a defibrillator instead of just a pacemaker if appropriate
• Veterans previously rated under the old system may benefit from requesting re-evaluation under current criteria
• Heart catheterization provides more definitive evidence than echocardiograms for ischemic heart disease
• Next month we'll discuss vascular conditions including peripheral artery disease, varicose veins, and Raynaud's syndrome
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