Congestive cardiac failure

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter - Congestive cardiac failure Factor

Definition

In the SOP for deep vein thrombosis the RMA has defined congestive cardiac failure as "congestion in the peripheral circulation or congestion of the lungs or both, due to reduced stroke volume".

Symptoms and signs

Cardiac failure results when the heart no longer can work efficiently.  It is characterised by breathlessness and abnormal sodium and water retention.  Common symptoms are shortness of breath on exertion, or at rest, or when lying down, oedema (excessive fluid) of the lower limbs, fatigue and weakness, or confusion.  Increased venous pressure is always present with congestive cardiac failure.

Determining the presence of congestive cardiac failure

The symptoms described above may also be due to several other medical illnesses or injuries, and therefore the diagnosis of cardiac failure should be confirmed by medical advice.  Cardiac failure may also be called congestive cardiac failure, right sided heart failure, left sided heart failure, or pulmonary oedema.  Any type of cardiac failure can be said to be a 'congestive cardiac failure' to some degree.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 July 2003.

Preliminary questions [19165]

25100 there is some evidence that congestive cardiac failure may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

220       the veteran has a history of congestive cardiac failure.

8225     the congestive cardiac failure was caused by an illness or injury which is identifiable.

10934  the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

10936   the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

10935   the veteran has established the causal connection between the congestive cardiac failure and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [10935]

10937 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran suffered from congestive cardiac failure within the 30 days immediately before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

1159     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [10936]

10938 as a consequence of the identified illness or injury, the veteran suffered from congestive cardiac failure at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

1163     the identified illness or injury which caused the congestive cardiac failure is causally related to eligible service.