RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,121465,00.html I have been under the impression that constant stress was documented to be a leading cause of adverse cardiovascular problems. What am I missing in this report other than the V.A. administration offices are too busy assisting us Veterans to read and reflect/act on this proven evidence.
My father, First Lieutenant Thomas Mitchell Shaw, served during WW II with the US Army Infantry. He was wounded in action at Casino, Italy. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was an attorney at law.He died at the relatively young age of about 55 of heart disease. He, also, had enemy grenade fragments up and down his side. My impression is and was that his heart problems were associated with his combat military service. I served as a squad leader in the Infantry in Vietnam. About two or three years ago, the VA did an EKG on me that demonstrated that I had an abonormal EKG. My VA M.D. ordered a heart exercise Thallium Scan. The same indicated that I had had a silent MI, a heart attack in which I experienced no pain. The same is in no way disabeling to me. However, it is clear to me that this cardiovascular problem is associated with the mental and physical stresses associated with my military service in Vietnam (and possibly Agent Orange). I hope that the VA recognizes, at some point, cardiovascular problems associated with combat as a valid service connected disability. I believe that there are some studies corroborating the same.
