Question:
My husband, a Vietnam veteran, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was given a 100 percent disability however his doctor recommended a watchful waiting. However, the letter we received with the 100 percent disability says the 100 percent disability rating is only for 6 months. We want to know if this is correct. He got prostate cancer from agent orange. If he goes ahead with the surgery, will they immediately remove his rating of 100 percent?
Jim's Reply:
Vietnam veterans who have prostate cancer are presumed to have acquired the disease at least in part due to exposure to agent orange. When the diagnosis is made and a claim filed, the veteran is rated as 100% disabled although this is a temporary rating. VA assumes that everyone will be treated and every cancer will be cured. If your veteran chooses surgery and/or radiation, VA will reexamine him some months after treatment and if the cancer is gone (determined by PSA) his rating will drop to reflect the seriousness of any residual conditions he may have after the treatment. Those conditions are usually leakage of urine and erectile dysfunction and are often rated either 40% or 60%. If the veteran chooses watchful waiting, the temporary 100% rating will stay in place until he chooses treatment or dies. VA will reexamine him occasionally and all too often, they try to reduce the 100% even though there hasn't been any treatment. A quick appeal usually fixes that right up.