Prostate Cancer and VA Disability

Question

I was just diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  I am a US army Vietnam Veteran.  I was exposed to agent Orange.  I submitted all my paperwork to the VA for compensation for my disability. I am reading that I will only get temporary compensation?  Why is that and how to do we keep it going?  How long does it take for us to get the compensation.  so many questions so few answers. 1. is it just for me or for my spouse too.  Is there anything I should know as to what to say or not say? any information and help will be helpful.

Jim's Reply

The Vietnam veteran who served in country with boots on the ground is eligible for a number of conditions that are presumed or presumptive to have been caused or contributed to by exposure to agent orange.

Prostate cancer is one of the presumptive conditions. That it is presumptive means that you do not have to prove cause and effect of your service and the cancer.

Once you apply for the disability benefit, it is likely that you'll have a C & P exam within a few weeks. If you are newly diagnosed and haven't yet had any treatment for the cancer, you'll be assigned a 100% benefit on a temporary basis. Once you have had treatment and the cancer is gone, you'll receive a more permanent rating that is based on the residual effects of the treatment for the cancer. That rating is usually 20%, 40% or 60% and depends on the number of disposable absorbent pads you use each day to control leakage, a common side effect of prostate cancer therapy.

If you are like many men today, you may choose watchful waiting and not have any treatment at all. In that case the 100% rating stays in effect until you choose treatment or die. There will be C & P exams and VA will attempt to lower the watchful waiting rating but it will stay in place if you're diligent in monitoring VA efforts.

From the time you apply to the moment you get your benefit is usually a few short months. If your evidence is in order (DD 214 and medical records) you shouldn't have any issues.

 

Jim

 

 

 

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