AnCan respectfuly 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: Submitting secondary claims based on a condition with a 0% rating? (bj)
Topics Discussed
IT glitch when logging off of the VA website; prostate cancer rated 0% with service connection; claims for knee; can a claim be submitted for hepatitis C; Veterans speaking freely starting Tuesday, April 22; Midway log information from Navy Archives available for Vietnam era veterans; new Cologuard test for colon cancer screening; 100% permanent and total disability includes relief on local (county/city) taxes for your personal home and one vehicle; CRDP vs CSRC benefits a decision with tax implications; 10 continuous years with 100% permanent & total disability entitled surviving spouse to a pension; before applying for community care make sure you know which doctor you want to attend; when getting treatment through community care make sure you provide referral paper for billing; file for travel when getting treatment through VA.
Chat Log
AnCan – “Col” Boykin Jordan
You can change payment info online — so open website connection is a big issue
Larry (Alaska)
Heavy pads, medium or thin?
AnCan – “Col” Boykin Jordan
Veterans Speaking Freely Veterans discussion group – Veterans Speaking Freely starting 8pm Eastern on Tuesday, April 22nd in AnCan Schmier Room.
Larry (Alaska)
Nicholas D. James, PhD, FRCP, MBBS, on an ADT Option: Transdermal Estradiol Patches
Hank Zajic Springfield VA
Jim, I am going to have to drop off. I sent you the MIDWAY information for Dusty. If you have trouble with the file, let me know. I believe you have my number. Thanks!
Larry (Alaska)
Sorry about going on so long, but I did warn y’all my knowledge was narrow…but deep. So I do go on.
Larry (Alaska)
www.drugs.com › mounjaroMounjaro (tirzepatide):
AnCan respectfuly 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: Understand how Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel cuts impact your VA disability claims. (bj)
Topics Discussed
Toxic agent exposure and submitting claim for prostate cancer under the PACT answer; working with local VA agent to submit claim; understanding CMP exams and when the VA schedules them to check for residuals; understanding your benefits under TERA (toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and how you qualify; collecting Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ when you have a prostate cancer diagnosis; how military retirement pay may be impacted by receipt of VA disability benefits; barrett’s esophagus; how have cuts in the VA impacted the processing of claims; timely processing of VA claims — 5 months for timely claim; blood cancers included under the PACT act.
Chat Log
Bing Crosby
Have you had a PSMA Precision Image conducted
Cesar Lopez
Yes Bing, I was T2uN0M0
Bing Crosby
Has anyone ever mentioned any of the other treatment options like TULSA-Pro, HIFU, SBRT Radiation? All Urologists should be able to answer your questions about these treatment options?
Joseph
Unfortunately I need to go. I’ll catch you next time around.
Bing Crosby
Lots of new biomarkers (blood and urine tests) available to help with reducing the “what ifs” I highly recommend visiting https://www.pcmarkers.com and send this to your urologists
Bing Crosby
Always do a second opinion
AnCan – rick
Come visit us tomorrow at 7.30 pm in the https://www.gotomeet.me/AnswerCancer to meet Dr. Liss . 30 min presentation.
Mark WV
Sorry Have to go. Nite
AnCan – rick
Gents – don’t forget to tell your friends, this group is now recorded.
Bing Crosby
Gents…I have to bail out, and thank you for the super information. Jim I’ll connect with you tomorrow and look for your email. Rick, I’ll give a ring in the morning.
AnCan respectfuly 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: Understanding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and what its gets you in secondary medical insurance coverage and how do you qualify. (bj)
Topics Discussed
Understanding toxic exposure risk activities (TERA) and what its gets you in secondary medical insurance coverage and how do you qualify; collecting Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ when you have a prostate cancer diagnosis; heart disease and Vietnam veterans and getting access to Pluvicto; dealing with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer and submission of claim; learning how to become your own agent and advocate for submitting VA claims; free lodging when traveling for cancer treatment available through the American Cancer Society (ACS); 90% VA disability rating but paid at 100% based on Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU); what is the criteria for VA disability pension for surviving spouses; understanding the claims process.
AnCan respectfuly 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: It’s important to work with a Veterans Service Office (VSO) that has your best interest in mind and is working on your behalf. (bj)
Topics Discussed
Claims for Prostate Cancer (PCa) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); PSTD; pension for surviving spouse; problems with VSOs; VA decision process; staying on top of your claim paperwork after submission; submitting a claim for prostate cancer; how to get a second opinion; lessons learned using VA community care — keep your paperwork for bills management; understanding VA appeals; living with Parkinson’s disease and secondary conditions.
Chat Log
Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
That’s considered High Risk
Bill O’Brien, Northern VA
Mark, good info! Thanks so much!
Bob Schwartz, USN, Venice FL
Good Mtg., have to go, take care.
Carl Friedrich
A great meeting but I will take my leave. See you next time and many thanks for all the help. Fantastic! Many thanks to all
AnCan – rick
Going to leave you Gents – hope to see you again later in the month. Watch this space for our Vets Speaking Freely. O&U
So, you have MS. You may also be a Veteran of the United States military. What kinds of benefits and resources are available to those who have served and are now living with this debilitating disease? Here we hope you’ll find our beginner’s guide helpful in your search for benefits and resources.
Having MS and navigating the world of healthcare is dangerously daunting all on its own. Throw in some confusion about VA benefits, and you have a confusion cocktail to contend with (see what I did there?).
Before we dive in, just be warned: there is a plethora of information. Take your time researching, because there are a lot of links in this blog post. Because there’s so much info to take into consideration, we will do our best to update this blog as necessary. Check back regularly for more information as we come across it.
Over this past weekend, Jim struck up a conversation with an Air Force Veteran who has MS. He was surprised to learn that MS is, in fact, not covered under the Agent Orange Act or the PACT Act. MS has not been identified as an illness associated with the substances that these Acts target.
In his conversation, and subsequent research later on, he found that many people (perhaps as high as 60% of people) were denied upgrades to their disability rating. The VA, depending on evidence, will often award up to 30%. However, sometimes specific symptoms will allow for a higher percentage; one of those being chronic fatigue, which gets a 60% rating all on its own.
Jim also states that Veterans who are prevented from working as a result of their MS may be able to receive a benefit called “Total Disability on Individual Unemployment Ability”, or TDIU. This benefit compensates Veterans at the 100 percent rating, even if their overall disability rating may be less than that. Veteran’s symptoms must be Service-Connected (SC), and already have a 60% disability rating OR have “2 or more service-connected disabilities—with at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or more”. You also must not be able to hold down a steady job that would have supported you financially. Definitely click on he link above to read more about it and see if you qualify.
The website states: “The VA provides health care services to Veterans with MS from the time of diagnosis throughout their life, whether or not they have a service-connected or non-service connected status. If an individual had symptoms of MS in the military, or within seven years after honorable discharge, he/she may be eligible for service-connected disability.”
For those who are new to the benefits game:
The website suggests filling out the VA Compensation and/or the VA Pension form available online or at his/her local medical center for starters.
But oh my goodness, that’s a lot to sift through. Here are a few things on that web page that stand out to us:
Info on Filing and Intent to File – Sounds a little silly, but you may be able to receive retroactive payments for the time between when you submitted your intent to file and when they approve your claim.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH) for those who own their home, or will own their home, this is a grant that allows adaptive modifications to your home. Can receive up to $109,986 as of 2023
Special Home Adaptation Grant (SHA) is the same as the above, but with different qualifications. Can receive up to $22,036 as of 2023
Temporary Residence Adaptation for those who are living in a temporary family member’s home that needs changes in order to meet your adaptive needs. You must meet all the qualifying criteria for one of the two grants above. The amount changes depending on which one you qualify for.
Many people with a chronic or debilitating illnesses will tell you that advocating for yourself and your needs is of utmost importance. When dealing with and anything VA-related, persistence is key.
It’s tricky, and it’s a lot to deal with on top of managing symptoms.
Keep in touch with your primary care provider and your MS social worker. They’ll be able to help you refine your case for increasing your disability rating. They’re an invaluable source of information and help in signing up for various benefits. The provide supportive counseling to assist Veterans on the physical and emotional impact that MS can have on you and you family. They’re there to be your advocate, your negotiator, your case manager, and more.
If you don’t have a social worker on your team, look for the Social Work department at your local VA, or talk to your primary care provider or MS Specialist.
Here’s a summarized list of just some benefits offered at the VA. These programs require the help of a social worker:
Veteran Directed Care – offers monetary help with personal care services and daily living. Veterans are given a budget, and can even hire their own workers.
Medical Foster Home – This is a residency that’s similar to a nursing home, except Veterans are housed in a private home. Caregiving staff is on call 24/7. The VA ensures that these staff are well trained.
Captain James “Jim” Marshall wants you all to know that if you have any questions pertaining to benefits and navigating the system, feel free to send him an email:
Marshall-James@comcast.net
As we mentioned above, this article is just a small portion of info about benefits in the VA system. We will continue to update or even create new blogs as we see fit.
Above all we sincerely thank each of our Veterans for their service. We love and appreciate you!
Don’t forget to check out our MS Peer Support Group, which meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month
UPDATE #1 – Jim let me know that Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) “is a presumptive condition for veterans with 90 days or more of continuously active service in the military. Any veteran with ALS should apply for Disability Compensation.”.
He goes on the state “Looking into justifying MS [and ALS] as Service-Connected, it is not as difficult as it seems. If the Vet was exposed to Hazardous Materials, most of us come across such things even in the states, then present VA thinking has MS service-connected because ‘IT IS AS LIKELY AS NOT’ caused by the exposure.”
