Jim,
I have applied for compensation from the VA. I am a Vietnam veteran who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2003. Will I get retro from that time?
Reply:
Vietnam veterans who served with boots on the ground in the RVN are eligible for certain benefits because of exposure to agent orange.
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is not a service connected condition as a rule. The cause of the CHF will have to originate from ischemic heart disease (IHD) for a service connected benefit.
If you have CHF as a result of a heart attack that was caused by IHD, then you will be eligible for a service connected benefit. If your CHF is caused by any other condition, it probably will not be service connected.
Retroactive benefits usually date back no further than the date you filed a claim. That's called the effective date. The date of the diagnosis is rarely the effective date. There are some very unusual circumstances that may affect that sort of ruling but in broad terms, benefits begin no sooner than the date you file for them.