HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Frustration with VA

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/14/2009 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the process of dealing with the VA for disability. One is Prostate Cancer due to Agent Orange exposure while stationed on Anderson AFB, Guam August 68 to December 69. Other veterans have won appeals for AO for working on the same flight line at the same time. Most tell me it won't happen anytime soon.

During my initial consultation and exam I was told I would have to have a prostate exam. The government has spent over $200,000.00 on my medical treatment for PCa the past 2 years and now they want to put me through and exam to prove I have PCa. Is there in wonder why our government is going broke. Just like Medicare requiring a new sleep study for sleep apnea to get a replacement mask because my initial study was done using Tricare rather than Medicare. Spend $2,000 so I can get a $50 mask. It goes on and on.

On top of all this they want me to remember how I hurt my joints over 40 years ago and what doctors prescibed for the pain.

I served my country and now sometimes it seems they want to make you feel like a second class citizen who is out to gouge the system for benefits you don't deserve.

Thanks for the vent.

Rich
Posted 12/14/2009 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Rich...I have no information about the VA....just wanted to say Thank You for your service to our country. I really hope that this will all get worked out timely and you receive all the benefits you justly earned for your service.
Posted 12/14/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Rich you did righteous for your country, sadly some higher ups don't recognize there own blessings. Just for humor kicks, please don't take it too seriously:

We have the best government money can buy!
(humorous observation use only...words not endorsed by writer or fine print...yada..yada)
Posted 12/14/2009 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I know patience is a tough thing for us guys who are waiting for our next PSA, but somehow, it seems if you have enough patience, a loud enough voice, and talk to the correct person, you will prevail.

I got a little P.O.'d when I applied for a government trial at the VA. As a veteran, I always understood I was eligible for VA benefits. Trials are supposed to be no cost to the guinea pigs.

They told me I made too much money to participate in a no cost trial.

Oh well, I didn't want to do it that bad anyway !

Good luck fellow vet.

Goodlife
Posted 12/14/2009 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Rich,
It's in the book that you have to be examined by a VA doc or one contracted by the VA no matter how much paper work you have, so you're not going to change it.
I had my exam 2 days after seeding and refused the DRE that is mandatory. When the Doc asked why I refused I told him that it would hurt like hell, and he had better use lead lined gloves because I just had radioactive seeds two days ago. He just laughed and signed the papers without doing any exams.
Sure seems like a waste of money.
Good luck on your claim. Are you going through a local VA rep? they know how to get around most of the BS.
JT
Posted 12/14/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Rich,

I am in the middle of my VA claim for the same thing. With my medical records, they are going to sign off on me not having to be examined by the VA doctors, as my case, incuding primary and secondary treatment is fresh, and complete. It is well documented and my doctors have cooperated with all paperwork requests so far.

I was told at the start of the process, that it would take from 6-15 months, depending. But the good news it is all retroacitive to when you filed, which in my case was October 1st.

I did as I was advised, and from the start, my local county VET rep's office has handled 100% of my paperwork and filings. I have been told by more than one person that can make a big difference, that you don't want to file online on your own.

David in SC
Posted 12/16/2009 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Fellow Vets!

If you are not familiar with the Veterans Benefits Network, I suggest you check it out. This site is run by Veterans who assist other Veterans through the confusing maze when seeking compensation for service connected disabilities. It's a free site, and a number of the Veterans who provide advice and answer questions are former or current members of the Department of Veterans Affairs who answer questions in their "off time." You can google "Veterans Benefits Network" or go to http://vets.yuku.com I located this site and became a member years ago. To say I've learned a lot would be an understatement. Probably the most knowledgeable person on this site is named "Cruiser" who is retired as a rater with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He put in over thirty years, so he really knows his stuff. When I have a tough question under a particular category, I always post with "question for cruiser." He'll see it and reply. But once again, he's not the only knowledgeable Veteran on this site. It's a great site and growing daily. If you know any other Veterans seeking compensation for service connected disabilites, please pass this information on....Thanks
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply