AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: VA and Medicare billing issues leave Veteran with out-of-pocket medical bills. (bj)
Topics Discussed VA retracts 70% disability rating citing a clear and unmistakeable error and the implications of losing benefits; importance of a nexus letter from a medical expert to bridge the gap between military service (e.g. exposure to trichloroethylene/TCE) and a current diagnosis; challenges with Primary Care Providers (PCPs) who may be reluctant to provide referrals to specialists like genitourinary (GU) oncologists; advice on hiring attorneys for VA appeals and what costs are paid by your attorney; VA does not bill Medicare for non-service-connected treatments, leading to personal bills despite having private secondary insurance.
Chat
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:13 PM
www.ancan.org/veterans
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:15 PM
https://www.youtube.com/@ancanfoundation/playlists
Danny Lankford (Minnesota)) sent a chat · 8:51 PM
1. 20% Fee — “Safe Harbor” (Most Common) Presumed reasonable by the VA Automatically paid directly by the VA out of your back‑pay Most attorneys use this rate for standard appeals 2. 30% Fee — Common for Complex Cases Still normal and widely used VA will NOT automatically pay the extra above 20% Attorney must collect the difference from you directly 3. 33.3% Fee — Upper Limit Before Scrutiny Anything above 33.3% is presumed unreasonable VA can reduce the fee if it’s excessive 4. 0% Upfront You never pay a retainer You never pay hourly You only pay if you win
Danny Lankford (Minnesota)) sent a chat · 8:52 PM
Is this legit?
Danny Lankford (Minnesota)) sent a chat · 8:52 PM
VA site
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:10 PM
VFW Eligibility https://www.vfw.org/join/eligibility
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:41 PM
good nite everyone
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:41 PM
good nite Mark!
Danny Lankford (Minnesota)) sent a chat · 9:45 PM
Thanks ya’ll for the help. I’ll just get it started
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 10:02 PM
www.ancan.org/veterans
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: Small acts of kindness go a long way. (bj)
Topics Discussed Correcting your VA claim record when the VA thinks you stopped medical treatment; obtaining your medical records from the VA requires a FOIA request; work the AnCan network people in the group are willing to help you outside of AnCan sessions; when people go out of their way to help you find a positive way to thank them — small acts of kindness go a long way; in-person visits can produce better outcomes than phone or online interactions; ALS is considered to presumptive by the VA; understanding Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) Subsection S (SMC-S) housebound benefits.
Chat
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:14 PM
veterans@ancan.org
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:17 PM
YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@ancanfoundation/playlists
Israel sent a chat · 8:40 PM
VSO
Israel sent a chat · 8:40 PM
Another benefit og going to your local VA office in person is that they usally have VSO offices in the same building.
Hank Zajic Springfield VA sent a chat · 9:07 PM
I have to head off. Best regards to all and thank you for a great meeting Capt Jim!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:10 PM
If any VA intake person who is a male wants to argue that getting a shot in the penis is not really a disability, let that goof be the first to volunteer for the proceedure!
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 9:18 PM
I am going to sign off for the night! Thank you everyone!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:19 PM
Good night Eric!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:54 PM
Bruce is 80
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:59 PM
Good seeing all if you again. Great job Jim!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 10:00 PM
veterans@ancan.org
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: Applying for VA Health Care benefits. (bj)
Topics Discussed Losing Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) when your treated prostate cancer gets rated on its residual effects; establishing service connection for prostate cancer when you didn’t deploy to Southwest or Southeast Asia; importance of intent to file in establishing your start pay date for a disability claim; applying for VA Health Care benefits; Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam notification informs you which claims are included in the exam; strategies and data gathering to support chronic kidney disease (CKD) claims; linking CKD to radiation treatment residuals or urinary incontience; preparing for Board of Veterans Appeals hearing; understanding the difference between an a formal appeal and supplemental claim; billing questions when the doctor or practice you’re seeing changes under Community Care.
Chat
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 9:30 PM
I am going to head out gentlemen, have a great evening and see you all in two weeks!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:32 PM
Good night Eric!
Israel sent a chat · 9:48 PM
Sorry, I have to run. See you next time.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:50 PM
Good night Israel
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:57 PM
Great meeting! Learned a lot!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 10:05 PM
veterans@ancan.org
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick:Dual enrollment encouraged maintaining private insurance while enrolled in VA Healthcare. (bj)
Topics Discussed Veterans Affairs (VA) Identification Card (ID) issuance is much faster; Military ID versus VA ID for veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability rating; the back of VA IDs cards contain emergency care information for non-VA medical facilities; VA ID cards marked “service connected” grant access to military installations including commissaries and exchanges; PACT Act covers three broad categories: Agent Orange; Burn Pits, and Ionizing Radiation; procedures for submitting a disability claim to include the importance of the intent to file; maintaining private insurance while also being enrolled in the VA; Community Care vouchers and issues that occur when private providers don’t accept the VA’s Community Care vouchers.
Chat
Jim Marshall, Vet Support Grp. Moderator sent a chat · 8:10 PM Jim Marshall, USAF(RET), CAPTJIM@ANCAN.ORG, 703-338-7341.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:12 PM veterans@ancan.org
Mike cunningham sent a chat · 8:27 PM 1800 827 1000
Mike cunningham sent a chat · 8:27 PM Va help center want do intent to file
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:31 PM VA Intent to File https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/
Danny Lankford (USMC) sent a chat · 9:01 PM advanced and under 60
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:02 PM @Danny Lankford (USMC) – Advanced and under 60 is a good group. I did some sessions with them. Do you have any questions about them?
Danny Lankford (USMC) sent a chat · 9:03 PM Rick’s been hitting me up with emails and providing some direction and guidance. super helpful.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:04 PM Yep–that makes sense. Rick will steer you right.
Mike cunningham sent a chat · 9:09 PM Great advice israel
Israel sent a chat · 9:09 PM Thanks, great advice in this group overall
AnCan – Rick sent a chat · 9:45 PM I’m going to drop off, Gents… happy Holiday to all.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:45 PM Good Night Rick
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:46 PM Nite
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:47 PM Good Night Mark
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 10:00 PM Thanks Everyone! Have a great rest of your week!
AnCan respectfully notes that it does not accept sponsored promotion. Any drugs, protocols or devices recommended in our discussion are based solely on anecdotal peer experience or clinical evidence.
AnCan cannot and does not provide medical advice. We encourage you to discuss anything you hear in our sessions with your own medical team.
AnCan reminds all Participants that Adverse Events experienced from prescribed drugs or protocols should be reported to the pharmaceutical manufacturer or the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). To do so call 1-800-332-1066 or download interactive FDA Form 3500, https://www.fda.gov/media/76299/download/.
All AnCan’s groups are free and drop-in … join us in person sometime!
Editor’s Pick: How to file a supplemental claim and preserve your original intent to file date. (bj)
Topics Discussed How to file a supplemental claim to a denied disability claim and preserve your original intent to file date; neccesity of obtaining a nexus letter from a qualified medical professional when submitting a disability claim; new VA rules may lump tinnitus and hearing loss into a single 10% max disability rating; bring personal “statement in support of claim” documents (Form 21-4138) or even videos demonstrating physical limitations to C&P exams; procedures for getting a VA ID card; VA and private insurance processing; using “blanket” community care agreements to get access to specialized health care; retired veterans may apply for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) if their disabilities are linked to combat, hazardous duty, training, or instruments of war.
Chat
Eric Baker – Lafayette, IN sent a chat · 9:14 PM
It was good to see everyone,…I just got home from a long business trip, and it is catching up to me.! Have a good night gentlemen! See you on the 17th!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:34 PM
Good seeing all of you. Good health to all!
AnCan’s ambitious CEO and Founder, Rick Davis, recently sat down with Rarity Life, the magazine published by Same But Different Creative, to share the deeply personal journey that led to the creation of AnCan.
In the interview, Rick reflects on his early days navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis — a moment that reshaped his life & his understanding of what true support should look like. Like so many survivors and thrivers, he quickly discovered that information alone isn’t enough. What people often need most is connection — the chance to speak openly with others who truly understand the lived experience of cancer.
That realization became the foundation of AnCan.
Rick shares how traditional support models don’t always meet people where they are. Geographic limitations, physical health challenges, financial strain, rare diagnoses, and even the emotional weight of walking into an in-person group can all create barriers. For many, simply showing up can feel overwhelming.
AnCan was built to remove as many of those barriers as possible.
Rick’s full interview in Rarity Life offers an inspiring look at leadership shaped by lived experience, and a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one person asking: How can we do this better?
