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?
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: Making end-of-life arrangements with Veterans Affairs (VA). (bj)
Topics Discussed Making your end-of-life arrangements with Veterans Affairs (VA)—advanced directives, healthcare power of attorney, living will, do not resuscitate orders, internment, etc—to make things easier for your loved ones; researching relationship between high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease issues for disability claims; veteran with history of prostate cancer researching how to file a claim; TCE (trichloroethylene) exposure; how VA determines active treatment for prostate cancer; veterans benefits associated with disability ratings; Agent Orange exposure and dealing with recurrent prostate cancer; Veteran notified that his claim was downgraded to 10% while on Active Surveillance (AS).
Chat
TonyFig sent a chat · 9:23 PM
Have to run. Good meeting as usual
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:45 PM
G00D NITE GUYS
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:51 PM
veterans@ancan.org
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Novartis, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
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: C&P exam occurs after service-connection is established. (bj)
Topics Discussed Taking care of your final affairs with VA’s help; submitting a disability claim for chronic kidney disease; understanding that States offer different Veterans benefits; federal funds drying up for veterans with substance abuse issues; what is AnCan’s Veterans Speaking Freely?; preparing for a C&P exam while being treated for prostate cancer; range of motion issues with your back; C&P exam occurs for disabilities after a service-connection has been established; how does the VA decide when treatment ends for prostate cancer disability claims; using the VA’s travel system when you receive VA Healthcare.
Chat
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 8:18 PM
It is the VA Form 10-0137 VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will
AnCan – Rick sent a chat · 9:24 PM
Jumping off Gents …. be well and see you in 2 weeks. O&U
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:29 PM
Good Night Rick!
Dan Gifford, Pensaola, fl sent a chat · 9:35 PM
Heading out for the night. Thanks for everything, Jim.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:35 PM
Good Night Dan
Eric Baker – Lafayette sent a chat · 9:36 PM
Me as well, thanks everyone! Have a good night!
Mark WV sent a chat · 9:37 PM
good Nite
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:37 PM
Good night, Eric and Mark
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:45 PM
As always very informative! I appreciate your work on this! BDS
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
captjim@ancan.org
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
ancan.org/veterans
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:46 PM
veterans@ancan@org
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Novartis, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
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: Advocating for yourself is not easy, but it’s pays off! (bj)
Topics Discussed Dealing with an inconclusive or open to interpretation letter of support from your doctor; benefit of submitting a fully developed claim; submitting a VA claim for a secondary condition; importance of putting in the work—advocating for yourself is not as easy as we make it sound; verify all the evidence you submitted for your claim was considered; TERA assessed on each claim; converting military retirement benefits to Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC); updates on travel claims for medical appointments.
Chat
TonyFig sent a chat · 8:35 PM
what is an ACE exam?
Bob Schwartz U.S.N. Venice, FL. sent a chat · 8:37 PM
ACE=Acceptable Clinical Evidence. It is a records review only.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 8:38 PM
https://www.va.gov/resources/va-claim-exam/
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:04 PM
@Mark – Well said!
Eric Baker – Lafayette, IN sent a chat · 9:04 PM
Have to go! Thank you everyone, see you next time!!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:04 PM
Have a good evening, Eric!
Luther cowden sent a chat · 9:11 PM
Good night gentlemen, have to go.
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:18 PM
Nice seeing all of you again, keep up the good fight!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 9:26 PM
The designations for “Armed Conflict” sound very broad indeed.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:26 PM
veterans@ancan.org
Bob Schwartz U.S.N. Venice, FL. sent a chat · 9:26 PM
Another good mtg., have to go, see everyone next week.
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 9:27 PM
Have a good night, Bob!
AnCan is grateful to the following sponsors for making this recording possible: Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Novartis, Myriad Genetics, Telix, Blue Earth Diagnostics, and Foundation Medicine.
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: C&P exams when you are 100% permanent and total. (bj)
Topics Discussed Establishing service connection is the hardest part of submitting a claim; C&P (compensation & pension) exams when you are 100% permanent and total; Community Care authorization needed to use Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS); working with a VA C&P exam contractor; requesting IRS Form 1095-B from the VA; VA continues to reduce the backlog of claims; a couple of the members reported recently losing a friend and condolences were shared; be wary of unsolicited requests to consolidate your medical records.
Chat
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 5:33 PM
Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS)
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 5:36 PM
BTSSS Portal https://dvagov-btsss.dynamics365portals.us/
TonyFig sent a chat · 5:48 PM
Does the VA send out tax forms for disability payments or are they only available electronically?
Mark WV sent a chat · 5:50 PM
There is no tax forms as your disability is tax free
TonyFig sent a chat · 5:51 PM
What about healthcare. this is from a VA newsletter Get your 2025 VA health care coverage tax form this January Your 1095-B IRS tax form shows proof that you had VA health coverage. Throughout January and no later than January 31, 2026, all VA health care beneficiaries will be able to electronically access their 2025 1095-B forms via their VA.gov account. Please note that VA will no longer automatically mail 1095-Bs to all Veterans. To request a paper copy by mail, please contact us at 877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 6:14 PM
Great discussion all! Happy New Year!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 6:18 PM
Good night Bruce!
TonyFig sent a chat · 6:21 PM
VA-FSC Vendor File Request Form (10091) This form is used for claim electronic payment
TonyFig sent a chat · 6:22 PM
This can be completed online
Mark WV sent a chat · 6:28 PM
Good Nite
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 6:28 PM
Good night Mark!
Bruce Schrimpf sent a chat · 6:50 PM
Kaiser thing is VERY suspucious!
Bob Schwartz U.S.N. Venice, FL. sent a chat · 6:52 PM
This sounds like a SCAM!!!!
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 6:58 PM
ancan.org/veterans
AnCan – Boykin sent a chat · 6:59 PM
veterans@ancan.org
