While this entry may be short the benefit may be great. As many who read my blogs know, I am writing a book on Prostate Cancer (from a layman’s perspective). As part of that process I am interviewing men from all around the world – talking with them about their experiences – both physically and emotionally.
Today in that process, while talking with a man who completed his treatment two months ago, I was introduced to something that I had not heard before. Now let me state at the outset…I am not a doctor and do not always have the time to verify everything that I am told. This, however, seemed important enough to disclose – knowing that those who would be affected by the data – either can confirm that it is correct or know it to be true.
In the interview, the following was said:
“Are you aware that anybody who was in Vietnam will be granted 100% disability for six months on this deal?” He was discussing prostate cancer and the related treatments.
“No really,” was my response.
“Make sure you pass that one. Anyone who was in Vietnam – I don’t care if you were there for a day – you will get $2,500 and some odd dollars a month for six months and then they will re-evaluate it after that.”
“Is that because of any connection with ‘Agent Orange’?”
“Yes.”
While there are many men I am talking to who are younger, the vast majority of men who are being diagnosed today with Prostate Cancer are of the Vietnam era age and potentially could receive this benefit – assuming it is accurate.
YOUR HELP NEEDED: For those who may read this, please confirm what I was told today is true. Not that I doubt my source, I just feel that it is best to have verification. If you are a Vietnam era vet and have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer – what has been your experience?
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022534705660855
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080805092016.htm
http://www.vva.org/prostate.html
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/aono1.htm
Chuck Gallagher is a business ethics and fraud prevention speaker and author. Having been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer, he spends time working to help educate men and their families about the practical aspects of Prostate Cancer and how to survive.
November 11, 2008 at 2:50 am
Center for Prostate Disease Research
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
AGENT ORANGE, VIETNAM VETERANS and PROSTATE CANCER
WHAT: Vietnam veterans diagnosed with prostate cancer may qualify for service-connected disability compensation. Veterans who served in Korea in 1968 or 1969 may also qualify.
WHY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has determined that a positive association exists between exposure to herbicides and the development of prostate cancer (and 10 other diseases). It is presumed that veterans have been exposed to Agent Orange if they were “in country” between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. There is no deadline by which the
prostate cancer must be diagnosed following Vietnam service.
HOW: Submit a disability compensation application (VA Form 21-526) when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Veterans submitting the application before treatment starts may get a 100% disability rating for 6 months or longer. Veterans submitting the application after treatment is completed may qualify for a reduced disability rating if the treatment resulted in side effects, such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction. If prostate cancer recurs, a veteran may be eligible for 100% disability rating.
HOW MUCH: 100% disability for following categories (see Compensation Rate Table at http://www.vba.va.gov for more information)
· Veteran with spouse only: $2669/month
· Veteran alone: $2527/month
HOW TO APPLY:
1. Go to the VA website at http://www.va.gov. Click on “Compensations”.
Submit the application (VA Form 21-526) online.
OR
2. Submit a hard copy application (available at CPDR or VA website).
Note: Veterans with an existing disability rating may apply using a Statement in Support of Claim (VA Form 21-4131). Recommend that veterans with an existing disability rating (even 100%) submit an application in case the current disability rating becomes reduced in the future.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Note: Send your documents “certified mail with return receipt requested” so
you know the VA has received them.
1. Copy of your DD Form 214. If your DD Form 214 does not include dates of service in Vietnam, you will need additional official documentation, such as assignment orders or medal citations that verify your presence in Vietnam.
2. Copy of biopsy report
3. VA Form 21-4142 (Authorization and Consent to Release Information to the Department of Veterans Affairs). (Form included in CPDR Agent Orange packet or go to http://www.forms.gov.)
4. Copy of marriage certificate, if married
WHERE TO MAIL APPLICATION: (for DC, MD, VA)
Note: Mail to the VA Regional Office in the state in which you reside.
The addresses for states (other than MD, VA and DC) are listed in the Department of Veterans Affairs “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents” booklet (www.va.gov) or call 1-800-827-1000.
Washington DC
Veterans Administration D.C. Regional Office
1722 I Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20421
1-800-827-1000
Virginia
Veterans Administration Virginia Regional Office
210 Franklin Road, S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24011
1-800-827-1000
Maryland
Veterans Administration Maryland Regional Office
31 Hopkins Plaza Federal Building
Baltimore, MD 21201
1-800-827-1000
FOR INFORMATION:
· Contact Ray Walsh
o Vietnam veteran, prostate cancer survivor and Red Cross volunteer at CPDR at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
o 703-425-1474 or email at raywalsh34@erols.com
· WRAMC Veterans Affairs Field Office
o Main Hospital– Bldg 2A (MATC) Room 223
§ Appointment: Call 202-356-1012 (Ext 42116)
§ Walk-ins: Mon/Tues 0730-1130; Thur 0730-1600
· Website http://www.va.gov/agentorange/ (Veterans Affairs)
o Agent Orange Review” (newsletters), “Agent Orange Briefs” (Fact Sheets), and “Agent Orange Handbook”
· Toll-free help lines
o Dept of VA Telephone Assistance Service: 1-800-827-1000
o Veterans Special Issue Help Line: 1-800-749-8387
· State Veterans Affairs Departments (call state-level VA office for assistance regarding locations other than MD, VA, and DC).
o Washington DC
DC Department of Veteran Affairs
Washington, DC 20002
202-724-5454
o Virginia
Virginia Department of Veteran Services
900 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA 23219
804-786-0286; http://www.dvs.virginia.gov
o Maryland
Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs
16 Francis Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
410-260-3888 or 1-866-793-1577 (toll free)
http://www.mdva.state.md/us
· Veterans Service Organizations
o American Legion: 1-800-433-3318
o Armed Forces Services Corporation: 1-888-237-2872
o Disabled American Veterans: 1-877-426-2838
o Paralyzed Veterans of America: 1-800-424-8200
o Veterans of Foreign Wars: 1-800-VFW-1988
o Vietnam Veterans of America: 1-800-882-1316
6/16/08
November 14, 2008 at 10:51 am
The individual that stated that you will get 100% for prostate cancer is wrong. If the cancer is active, the DVA will rate you with a temporary rating of 100%. They then will make a determination for a future examination. If the cancer hasn’t been eliminated or you make a compelling arguement, they temporary 100% period will be extended.
If the cancer has been removed, the DVA will rate you on the residuals of the cancer. Usually this is how often you urinated during the day and night. You should never give averages to the DVA. Tell them what is the most you have urinated during the day and the most you have urniated at night. If you wear adult padding, how often you change your padding during the day and night. ALWAYS tell them the most times you have changed or uniated. NEVER give averages or ranges. The DVA will rate you on the lowest range or average.
March 17, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I was diagnosed as having prostate cancer and have received a letter from the VA that says I have been awarded 100% disability for six(6)months. I recently had prostate surgery and can find no information on what percent of disability I will be awarded after the initial six month period. Any help would be appreciated. I have read the comment posted by Robert White on Nov 14, 2008.
March 18, 2009 at 2:30 pm
A.C.
Refer to va publication..38 CFR Book C Schedule for Rating Disabilities and go to 4.115/4.115b..
This will answer your question.
March 22, 2009 at 5:49 am
My husband started the paperwork to be evaluated for disability due to PCa/Vietnam the week before his brachytherapy. One month after the procedure, he went to a local VA hospital for evaluation. Following 6 or so months of gathering paperwork from various doctors, we received notification that he would receive 100% disability for 1 year – to be reevaluated at the 1 year anniversary of his first eval. So for whatever reason, he received a full year initially. His first check included the past 6 months.
I don’t know why it was a year vs. 6 months. I don’t know what to expect after 1 year. His symptoms are minor, mainly needs ED meds for a full erection, although at the time of his exam, he was urinating frequently at night.
BTW: the VA regional office was extremely helpful through all this. Definitely use that resource if needed.
Hope this helps others.
April 14, 2009 at 2:17 pm
After the six months, you will be rated on the residuals of your issue. How much do you pee? You should not report a range 3-5 times a day. Instead, report the worst case. If you went to a party and drank allot. Then you had to pee 15 times during the day, report that. If you have to wear adult padding (diapers), how often do you change them (five times a day) and you need to report how often you pee at night (five times or change your padding 3 times). If you report that, you could be looking at a 60% rating. Do not report anything that isn’t true. Never give a range. The DVA will go with the smaller number. After you give your number say “more or less!” Since you can’t exactly say how much, say this means your giving an estimate. It could be less or it could be more. Fact is the DVA goes by a scale to rate you. The less you urninate, the less your going to get. Also report is you have ED. You can get Special Monthly Compensation K (which pays $96 this year).
October 18, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Diagnosed with prostate cancer over 3 years ago. Have had exposure to agent orange in Vietnam so rating was presumptive. Rated 100% for 1 year along with previous PTSD rating of 100% and tinnitus rating of 10%. My PSA was the marker that led to an examiniation and biopsy. I had no urinary problems prior to the biopsy that would indicate a problem with my prostate. I chose radiation seed implants over surgery and my PSA dropped to .01 over the past 3 years.
After one year my rating for prostate cancer was reduced to “0″ and I was awarded monthly compensation for erectyle disfunction. The basis for the reduction of the prostate cancer rating was described that I am now “cured” of prostate cancer and have no urinary problems. I had no urinary problems prior to diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, other problems have surfaced since the radiation seed implant procedure. I have had frequent blood in my stool over the past three years and blood in the urin numerous times. The most recent blood in the urine occurred in late August, 2009. The fear of reocurrence and/or spread of the cancer to other areas of my body is always on my mind. Long term erectile dysfunction is also occuring. By any definition I feel as though my prostate cancer is in remission, not cured. I have appealed the reduction of my prostate cancer rating and have asked that special monthly compensation be reinstated.