Update on Veterans Benefits-Vietnam Vets-Agent Orange-Prostate Cancer

Hello my PCa Brothers and Sisters,

Thought it was time I checked back in, been away for a while trying out the new RV and getting back on the field with my college umpiring.

It is almost 6 months since my da Vinci and 2 months post IMRT. As most of you know the first PSA test following IMRT was not the results we were looking for and so another is scheduled for later this month. ED is still an issue, not much new happening there and continence is still about the same.

Thanks to the wonderful folks here at HW, it was brought to my attention that as a Vietnam Veteran I was eligible for VA benefits because PCa was on the list as one of those maladies that were a presumptive "caused" by exposure to Agent Orange.

In October I filed a preliminary "Intent to file Claim" with the VA. This was done to establish my filing date and to be followed with the actual claim once all of the post surgery reports and tests were compiled. I filed the official claim in mid January. The local office told me it could take a while (6 months or more) as there were over 900,000 new claims currently in the process, but that once approved my benefits would be retroactive to the October date. I was prepared for a long wait.

This week-end I received a letter from the VA telling me I had two appointments scheduled for March 24th. The first is for lab work and then followed by a meeting with the doctor. It is my understanding that PCa by itself qualifies for 100% disability ($2943 per month) and that if the test results show that the IMRT has done it's job then the resulting continence and ED issues will result in a benefit of no less than 60%.

This post is not only to update on the process but to make others aware that they may also need to look into VA benefits for themselves. In addition to the monthly benefits, once approved, I will then be eligible for all VA medical benefits.

The biggy in this is that those extremely valuable ED rehab medicines we all seem to need (Cialis, Viagra, Levitra, etc.) would then be available to me at "NO COST" and "NO QUANTITY" restrictions. NO more hassles with the Insurance companies and no more large out of pocket expenses. That is truly a real and great benefit.

Just FYI and trying to do my part in providing valuable information to my PCa brothers,

Sonny

Thanks Sonny and hope all goes well for you. I got my "Brown envelope" from the VA about 7-8 weeks ago and a short time later I started receiving my benefits. My might have been easier to process since I was wounded and the VA already had a case file on me. Also I filed in September and it was retroactive as you said. Good to know about the ED meds as I did not know about that. I am thankful to the VA but as I tell people I would rather not be in this position at all. Enjoy that RV and maybe I can meet up with you and David when you get to Greenville. I might be off the pot by then.

Michael

Michael, glad you got yours approved and rolling in.

I got a VA card the year I got out, in 1972, as I was still requiring VA care even after I was discharged.

Sonny, you are one step closer. My Vet rep said, if my doctor reports were complete enough, they often dont make you get re-tested and re-evaluated, but that's here in SC..

David

Sonny, you sound a step away from being good to go. I am hoping to hear something soon myself. Happy for you. If we have to deal with this terrible cancer, and since we are Viet Nam vets, we do nothing wrong is seeking this monetary relief.

David in SC

My best to Lynne and your big "a" motor home!!!

Rich,

I am glad to see that a fellow vet has also made it through the maze of VA benefits approval. Just a few days ago the local paper had a story that stated there are at present over 1 millions claims in the process and a significant number of them are for Vietnam vets. They went on to say that they are currently in the process of automating a large part of the process to streamline it and insure that claims are processed more quickly.

You mentioned you have been receiving benefits already. Did you receive any for PCa or are they granting you benefits based on ED and incontinence issues? This might be valuable info for others that look here for successful outcomes to filing for benefits.

Good luck through all of this PCa journey,

Sonny

Sonny,

So far receiving benefits for AG-prostate cancer, incontenence and related issues. Will see the va doc this month for more evalutaions as I understand. As far as ed and loss of organ % i guess that comes after the eight month when they revaluate you. Not sure on all of this but so far is good. 25 years ago I tried to sign up and was told not to waste their time.

Sunbird thank for the info.

Rich

I think John partially thru your PCP or Uroligist tx notes, which they ask for. But I was given 0% on ED as they considered that to be part of the bigger picture, which is PCa. The IU would likely come from incontinence. Will know for sure when they re-evaluate me.

Michael

Justus, why 4 years? Due to a back log or technical issue? I started mine last October, so far, no bad news. Glad you finally got yours, and thanks for the med info.

Salute to a fellow vet.

David in SC