Veterans Video Chat, July 15, 2025

AnCan is grateful to Johnson and Johnson for making this recording possible.

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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!

You can find out more about our 11 monthly prostate cancer meetings at https://ancan.org/prostate-cancer/.
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Join our other free and drop in groups:

Under 60 Stage 3 & 4 Prostate Cancer – 2nd Thursdays @ 7 pm Eastern in AnCan Barniskis Room
Men (Only) Speaking Freely … 1st & 3rd Thursdays @ 8 pm Eastern in https://ancan.org/men-speaking-freely/

Editor’s Pick: DIC (Dependent Individual Compensation) for surviving spouses. (bj)

Topics Discussed
Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits; DIC (Dependent Individual Compensation) for surviving spouses and the criteria for receiving it; interrelationship between military retired pay, federal civilian retired pay, and VA disability pay; PACT Act of 2022; documenting all of your medical issues while on active duty; intent to file; preparing your VA disability claim; prostate cancer submission & service connection; other AnCan support groups – Men Speaking Freely, Veterans Speaking Freely.

Chat Log

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
overachiever!!!! 😂

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://ancan.org/remembering-ken-mason/

Erika L
Thanks for that Alexa…. Gary, I’m so sorry for your loss!

AnCan – “Col” Boykin Jordan
https://www.choose.va.gov/family-members

Gary
Thanks for these.

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
captjim@ancan.org

Gary
https://www.forevermissed.com/ken-mason/lifestory

Gary
Ken’s celebration of life site. The celebration will be live streamed.

Gary
Thanks, Erika.

Gary
Folks, you are providing great, helpful information. Jim, your knowledge is amazing. Thanks for answering my questions. Thanks for letting me join this meeting to learn more about Mason’s benefits. I have to cut out in a few minutes. Best to everyone.

AnCan – “Col” Boykin Jordan
Thanks for checking us out. Feel free to come back anytime.

Willie
Gary please continue to get the necesary information to get your benefits from your spouse.

Gary
Thank you all, I will be contacting Ken’s point of contact in the VA office here in Lincoln.

Gary
And the link in the chat will also be very helpful.

Michelle
AGR

Michelle
Sounds like

Michelle
I go to the main hospital or satellite locations

AnCan – “Col” Boykin Jordan
Army Presence in Augusta, GA (formerly Fort Gordon)

Erika L
Yes AGR

Erika L
Thanks, Col, Michelle, Tyneal, Jim! Augusta and Columbus/Benning (nearest base facilities) are both 2.5 hours drive, so that’s what’s made this a bit trickier for us, esp because my kid does not tolerate long periods in the car…

Erika L
We tried to get phone support and spoke with her once and never heard again! We did send an email saying as much, and still didn’t hear back. I guess if the main benefit is just preventing transfer or move, it may not be worth greater effort. That in and of itself is useful information for us!

AnCan Barniskis – rick
Jim – join Veterans Speaking Freely

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://ancan.org/speaking-freely/

Tyneal Edwards
I’ll check into it more and see if I can provide more details. Sometimes the information is a bit difficult to obtain from certain EFMP coordinators. However, once you get assigned to them, their goal is to get your primary care needs taken care of by a closer facility. Their primary goal is to find the closest care available and within the member’s capabilities. TRICARE, other EFMP coordinators at other commands, Military onesource, Family Readiness Groups (which can also be found on an MTF), or your commands CFL (Command Family Liaison. On your next PHA, you can also provide these concerns and issues to your provider about this problem. Also, you can provide this concern to the individual who’s in charge of helping you set up your PHA. (I know that was a lot but I hope this helps😅)

Michelle
Me too

AnCan Barniskis – rick
Hello Ms. Michelle

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://visionsimulations.com/visual-snow.htm

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://www.visualsnowsimulator.com/

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
usually migraine, tinnitus, and visual issues = Visual snow syndrome

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://www.visualsnowinitiative.org/doctors/

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
We learned of a fabulous doctor in Cleveland

Alexa Jett – AnCan Foundation
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/staff/30308-devon-cohen

Veterans Video Chat, July 15, 2025