VA Question

Michael, with your own good medical records, and your recurrance, you shouldn't have too much trouble getting back to 100%.

For the record, my claim for VA Agent Orange PC still has never been finalized. I filed late in 2009, and it has been in a huge stack of appeals in Washington for over a year now. Can't get a straight answer from anyone about it at this point. My U.S. Senator got involed late last year, and all he was able to find out, is that mine is in a group number in the ten's of thousands awaiting approval.

Good luck with yours,

David

Thanks for the info and support.

Michael

Michael, I've spoken with my Uro about next steps if my SRT fails (have just had the first miniscule hints of psa return). He said that he would probably not recommend beginning any kind of hormone therapy until PSA hit 10 to 20.

However, since it would it would be absolutely clear well before that point that the PCa had returned, I too am considering how to deal with the VA should my PSA trend upward. Based on comments at the veteran's site I've linked below, the VA considers "watchful waiting" a treatment. Therefore I suggest you consult with your doctor and state specifically in Notice of Disagreement that your PCa has returned and that you and your doctor have agreed that "watchful waiting" is the appropriate treatment for now until your PSA reaches a level that calls for hormone therapy or other recommended treatment.

Here's the link to the veteran's site.
http://vets.yuku.com/directory#.T6b10lJNW7w

See also post #50 on this page:
http://vets.yuku.com/topic/3873/prostate-cancer-agent-orange?page=3#.T6b6rVJNW7w

Post Edited (Bohemond) : 5/6/2012 4:29:54 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks guys. I have filed an appeal as my last PSA from my Urologist rose to .40 from .27. That is two years post SRT. The lowest it got was .19. The VA said my cancer was in remission, but it has never been undectable since my first post op PSA in May of 2009. I did find it interesting that QTC who did the CP used a test for free PSA on the exam they took, and the test came back .44 but I have never found out what the free PSA was. I thought free PSA was used mainly for the purpose of determining the need for a biopsy. Will keep you posted as I go through my VRO in the county where I live. Don't mind them dropping my % but please dont tell me my PCa is in remission as a reason for the drop, when the cancer is obviously not in remission.

Michael

Here's the thread I was remembering from the other site, but couldn't find yesterday. The gist is that the VA recognizes "Active Surveillance" as a form of treatment that is eligible for compensation.

http://vets.yuku.com/topic/72031/Prostate-Cancer-Active-Surviellance#.T6fQwlJNW7w