Appreciate the reply my cardiologist said he would expect my valve to last 10 or maybe even 20 years if I’m lucky I have the mitris pericardial valve supposed to be the best around is what he said.
That is the Edwards Reslilia valve. There is hope that it will last that long for young patients and I really hope this is the case for you. Although I chose a mechanical valve myself at age 53, if I did choose tissue, I would have gone with Resilia. In my view, if a young person is choosing tissue, this is probably the best choice.
Conservative approach?
Plenty of healthy folks to choose from without congenital heart defects. Why risk something from a known condition creating an issue for your team in the field when there are enough unknowns to worry about? Makes perfect sense to me that a congenital heart defect would make one ineligible for service.
Hello, sorry I’m just seeing this. I am currently on an active duty tour and had an avr (on-x) and aneurysm repair in June 2022. I was wondering if you have gotten any decisions in your career. I am most likely looking towards an involuntary medical retirement at the end of this tour but I will have 24 years in and indefinite anticoagulation. 2 others in my unit have had similar procedures. One had an avr (tissue), the other an aneurysm repair. Neither were med boarded or face discharge. One just deployed. He had to have all his doctors sign off and the gaining commander at the deployed location had to sign off on it. I would expect your career to continue with monitoring. As long as things are working as advertised your risk to the DoD is relatively low. If they do decide to discharge make sure they give your a disability rating (hopefully over 30%), and file a VA benefits claim asap!
Here’s an update I tried and tried to plead my case to my doctors and sent a letter telling them I’m more than healthy to continue but unfortunately they still decided to medically retire me with 30% dod it’s been 6 months now since my separation it’s been tough I feel like I got screwed out of my career and my dreams but besides all of that I’m doing good working in HVAC now maybe in the future the military will allow more heart patients to join.
Did you file a claim with the VA? If not you need to get to a Veteran’s Service Officer asap. They can help you with the process. There’s usually one at your local VFW or American Legion. Make sure you talk to someone about the mental stress and how this situation has made you feel!
Wow yeah my valve replacement came about from a fatal car accident I was passenger in I had no previous heart problems and yes the medical board did the va claims I recived 90% va thanks for the reply!
I’m glad you made the VA claim. I am sorry to hear about the unfortunate way you ended up in this situation. Hopefully you make a go of HVAC. It’s a great trade. I’m sorry Uncle Sam wasn’t receptive to your pleas to continue to serve. Unfortunately, as service members, we are only good to them until we aren’t, then we get thrown out and replaced and the cycle continues. Regardless, be proud that you are one of the few that signed your name and took that sacred oath!
