Question:
I am starting my seventh month receiving VA disability for agent orange prostate cancer. My doctor is recommending active surveillance for the cancer. However he is also recommending the green light laser treatment for my rather severe BPH symptoms that predate my prostate cancer diagnosis by a couple of years. Do you believe there is any likelihood the VA would chose to interpret this as cancer treatment and stop my benefits?
Jim's Reply:
Yes I do. Veterans who are on a watchful waiting path for benefits eligible prostate cancer will find that if they take an aspirin VA will see that as treatment for the cancer and try to lower the 100% watchful waiting benefit. Medicines for BPH are often interpreted as medicines to fight cancer and VA will propose to lower the 100% rating. While this is annoying, it's not a big deal and all you have to do is file a short appeal to correct the record. Never delay recommended medical therapy in deference to a benefit issue. Get the therapy, deal with the benefit later.