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Posted 12/17/2006 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Curtis was wondering if any of you men have gotten your VA benefits yet and how much you received.  We're in the process of making out all the paper work and know he won't be getting anything for a long while, but he's curious.
Posted 12/17/2006 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
I applied to the VA for agent-orange related benefits as a blue-water Navy Vietnam Vet.  I heard back twice, once to tell me they received my application and the second time to tell me they are reviewing it in light of a recent court decision. 
Posted 12/18/2006 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
That's a good question. I have never applied for any VA medical benefits so I have no idea. I used educational bennies many years ago, but the medical stuff - no clue. I have a couple of friends who use VA medical services - I'll give them a ring and see what I can find out.

Regards,

Bill
Posted 12/18/2006 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jet.  We're just curious.  I know my father collects disability and has for years, but he is still considered 60% disabled and is 88 years old.  Of course when I was born he was considered 100% disabled...I've always teased him that he couldn't have been 100% disabled at the time.  tongue
Posted 12/19/2006 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
I applied for VA disability in early March, about four days prior to my surgery; I applied online via the VA web site. I received notice of approval in May, and got my first checks in June. All you need to show is that you served in Vietnam (DD-214 form is proof) and that you are diagnosed with prostate cancer (I sent pathology report, PSA score, the urologist's clincial notes from my visits). I am married, so I initially received about $2,600 per month. I had a compensation exam by VA a couple of months later, and received a slight increase due to my impotence. The VA calls its loss of a creative organ, about $90 per month. In my case, I received the 100 percent rating for six months after surgery; was re-evaluated. With no sign of cancer, but still slightly incontinent, I am now rated at 40 percent, and am receiving about $650 per month.
Posted 12/19/2006 4:16 AM (GMT 0)
elpaso,

Thanks for the information.  What exactly is a compensation exam?

Posted 12/19/2006 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
My husband originally filed in Mar 06 and recevied his first check in Sep 06 which was retro active from Mar 06 thru Sep 06 - then from Oct til present he gets a check monthly.  If the pc is rated as service connected - as long as you are on some type of treatment you should get 100% - 6 months after treatment is finished you'll be scheduled for a C&P exam and re-rated on residuals if any. 

We just got my husband's new PSA count and it is .08. My husband is on a 12 month hormone implant which will be removed this week and another implant put in good for another 12 months.  The implant has been successful in reducing his PSA to .08 from an original PSA of 30 so this will be a Great Holiday!!

Wishing you all a Joyous and Healthy Holiday and New Year.

Posted 12/20/2006 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
C & P exam stands for Compenstion and Pension. The VA schedules the exams to verify medical claims, or to update a veteran's medical situation. My first exam, about two months after I started receiving disabilty, merely involved the doctor asking me questions about my condition ... The second exam, about seven months after my surgery: lab drew blood to get PSA number. Doctor examined and interviewed me. It's not a big deal, but it's important to show up for the exams when they are scheduled.
Posted 12/30/2006 5:33 AM (GMT 0)

hi,

we applied online about november 1 of this year (almost immediately upon being diagnosed ... thanks to the thread we found HERE). 

We got our first letter on November 6, saying they had received it.

about December 6th they sent a letter asking for a release of medical records (thought that was part of the online app), so we sent in the release along with a copy of all medical records (showing diagnosis, lab reports, etc).

Will keep you updated as to when we get approved.

Posted 12/30/2006 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
pooks,

great to hear about the new PSA score!!  that is great indeed!

Enjoy the new year!

Tanya and Ken

Posted 2/10/2007 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
An update.

We got a call today to do a VA exam on February 17. Not sure if everyone has to do this before benefits. But at least it shows the claim is moving along. We asked what kind of exam, said no biopsy. So not sure what the exam is.

Has anyone else been through a VA exam for prostate cancer?
Posted 2/10/2007 4:03 AM (GMT 0)

Question please.   I have a friend who has just been diagnosed with Pca and he served in Vietnam for a time.  Is the Vietnam era the time period the benefit is for?

Dutch

Posted 2/10/2007 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
Yes
Posted 2/10/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
yes, if one served in Vietnam, they are entitled to disability benefits for prostate cancer.

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/Herbicide/AOno3.htm

The online form to fill out is here, if you would like to pass it on to your friend.

http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp

click on "start vonapp".
Posted 2/10/2007 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Just a follow-up, we got the letter notifying of exam after the phone call from VA yesterday, and it says arrive by 9 AM and plan to stay until 4 PM??? Has anyone really had to spend the whole day for a compensation exam?
Posted 2/11/2007 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I just had someone tell me if you served during the Vietnam era and even if you did not do any of your time actually in Vietnam you could still apply for Disability. This does not sound right. Anyone know for sure? thanks!!!
Posted 2/12/2007 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure if you can get service connected status if you didn't actually serve in Vietnam but here is a great place to pose your questions.

http://p203.ezboard.com/bvetbenefits

This site has alot of info that vets can use. Hope it helps you as much as it did us.
Posted 2/14/2007 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Rock50, Don't think that is correct.

Used to have to prove service in vietnam. The only expansion I have heard about is to blue water navy veterans who served off-shore in vietnam. I think you have to have been deployed to vietnam in one capacity or another.

Edit:  Above only applies if your question was about agent orange related compensation for prostate cancer. 

Yes, you can apply for disabillity benefits no matter where you served.  In re-reading wasn't sure if you meant prostate cancer benefits, or general disability benefits.

Posted 2/17/2007 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
In answer to my own question about the VA exam pre-benefits.

We went today and although the letter said 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, we got there shortly before 9 am and were second one in. We got in at 9:20 and spent maybe 15 minutes at most. Gave him our medical records. He looked them over, said "everything I need is in here." Asked a few questions about ken's upcoming surgery, his "erection" and "urinary" function pre-surgery and that was about it.
Posted 3/8/2007 7:32 PM (GMT 0)

Do you apply for these benefits as soon as you are diagnosed with Pca or do you have to wait until you have or complete treatment?

Dutch

Posted 3/19/2007 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Dutch - sorry, didn't see this until I was looking for the thread.  One should apply as soon as aware of prostate cancer from a positive biopsy.  They start benefits at time your APPLICATION is dated, not the time of diagnosis, so the sooner a person applies, the farther back benefits will go.

For others - update on our application.  We got our "Decision letter" today.

We applied on October 31, 2006 and were approved in a letter dated March 15, 2007.  So took 4.5 months.  Letter says first check with retroactive benefits to November 1, 2006 should arrive within 15 days.

Award is 100% disability retroactive to November 1.  Exam required 6 months after "completion of treatment" which for us would be in next september as our surgery is for April 10. (assuming *hopefully* that don't have to do any follow-up treatment).  At which time they will adjust the disability rating down from 100% depending on follow-up PSA tests, incontinence, and erectile difficulties. (as I understand it).

 

Posted 7/3/2010 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys, I'm a vet and doing a little back ground reading.

Enough time has past most of you should know what happened with your claims.

So how did things work out, did you get your checks?

Jim

Posted 7/3/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Took about 8 months from filing to acceptence. Had to see a contract doctor for an exam and refused the DRE. Doc asked why and I told him he didn't have lead lined gloves as I had been seeded just two days ago. He laughed and signed the papers. Got everything retroactive from day of filing. Still waiting for a follow up exam as it has been over a year and have heard nothing.
JT
Posted 7/3/2010 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Bro. Sonny here just started getting his VA checks recently. He is in FL, and took him I want to say 6 full months. He can tell you how much he gets, seems like it was around 3 grand a month. I appled at my county VA office here in SC last October and still waiting for approval. Been told that timing really varies from state to state. I was at my local office Thursday, doing another round of paperwork. My make up check will be huge by the time they get it approved. They tell me that its best to let the local offices to handle the initial ap and followup paperwork. Less chance of mistakes and delays.

Good luck in yours. Us navy vets have a tougher time with these claims then any other branch of the service, but it has been slowly improving.
Posted 7/3/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
David,

There was a good article in this months Amercian Legion Magazine on agent orange and Blue and Brown water vets. Gave some history that I was not aware of.

Michael

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