Stilt

Thank you all for responding. The reason for my post is because I am confused about the necessity to put in a claim for 100% as opposed to it being recognized because of the records that I provided. I am AO presumptive. I did not file a quick claim because, compared to other veterans, my need is much less severe than others. I am one of the lucky ones to have health insurance and a retirement. Thanks again.

My question concerns the process for receiving 100% compensation post surgery. I filed my AO claim prostate cancer in May of 2011. This is my first disability claim. I had surgery to remove prostate in August 2011. I sent the VA all the doctor reports relative to the surgery during the latter part of August. I had C & P exams in September and October of 2011. C & P noted the fact I did have the surgery. My question is am I required to file a separate claim to be compensated at 100% following the last treatment for the prostate removal surgery [or will the VA note that the surgery was perform and automatically compensate me for the six months following treatment]? My initial claim has not been approved yet.

Congratulation and, If I may, what were the circumstances involved with your case? Did it relate to AO or Vietnam [if so, did you report it while in the service or within 1 year of discharged]? The reason that I ask is because I have asthma. Officially diagnose in 1994, but had symptoms dating back to the early to middle 70s. I was discharged in 1970, Vietnam vet. I never reported my breathing problem. I just assumed it was from allergies. I have a claim in for the asthma but I am probably wasting my time as the symptoms manifested themselves two or three years after discharge. Thanks

I initially submitted a claim for SMC-K, Loss of creative organ, Erectile Dysfunction due to diabetes. Afterwards, I had my prostate removed due to prostate cancer. Based on what I have read, the prostate gland is a creative organ. Should a second claim be submitted? I am curious about it because the prostate gland and the penis are on the same reproductive track.

Thanks Philip Best Wishes

My situation is this: I am a boots on the ground Vietnam vet (discharged 1970) who began experiencing breathing difficulties in the 80s. Early on I used over the counter remedies to address my breathing issues. About 1992, I went to my doctor who prescribed a med and an inhaler. He diagnosed that I had asthma. I am still using the inhaler, several times a day, every day. I've read several posts where vets have been compensated for Asthma but not enough information was given for comparison purposes. Has any Vietnam vet with asthma had any success being awarded a claim for ashtma? If so, did the VA require that you reported the illness before leaving the service? Asthma is one of the claims that I submitted. Deep inside of me I know Vietnam is the source of my asthma. I am unable to establish a service connection. I'm just trying to figure what are my chances of being awarded a claim. Thanks

Thanks gentlemen, I am going with the regional office VSO.

Which is better to use [VSOs at VA Regional Office or those at County or DAV offices]?

My apoogy for not reading the comment more closely. I apologize Pete53.

With all due respect, what do you propose, bringing back the draft? How quickly we forget. I can remember back to the 90s and early 2000s when recruiting offices could not fill their allocated slots. Hence, the incentive program.

I am not a fan of big pharma. We all know how big pharma and congress connive to keep the price of drugs high. This thread started out with hedgey’s unhappiness with sale reps going into doctor offices promoting their products. It seems to have morph into a complaint of all things wrong with the pharmaceutical industry. My point, like it or not, is medicines are the single biggest reason the life expectancy of Americans in particularly have increased to where millions of us are living well into our 70s and 80s. Sure, not every medicine that comes onto the market benefits everyone. Often, the negative aspect of a medicine does not become fully known until many people had tried it. That does not mean we should condemn the pharmaceutical industry as pure evil with no societal benefit. It does not mean that doctors should be unwilling to try a new medicine. This is America. We are capitalists. We are free to make and sale products. I for one have fought in one war to keep that way.

Instead of disobeying doctor orders why don't you find a doctor that you can trust. Or, better yet, ask the doctor to explain what purpose each pill serves. Otherwise, what is the point to going to a doctor for a problem and ignoring his/her instructions. Today, scientist can manufacture a particular drug to do a specific function. Take my case for example, I am a diabetic and have been prescribed Metformin and Glipizide to control it. Why both? Read here. If I follow your logic and stop using one of the meds, my blood sugars would go through the roof. If you keep disobeying doctor instructions you are really going to be Notorious, Notoriously dead. You don't strike me as a person trained in the chemistry of medicines. You should stop acting like you are.

I am a diabetic. I take Metformin and Glipizide to control it. These two drugs are very effective and patients rely on them heavily. Now, I wonder how it came to be that doctors know to prescribe these drugs for diabetics. Could it be that many years back a sales rep walked into a doctor's office and promoted these drugs? My point is this there is nothing wrong with pharmaceutical representatives promoting their products even if it means visiting doctor offices to do so. I believe doctors are smart enough know which meds to accept and which to reject. Further, medicines, before they are dispensed to patients must be approved by the FDA. That means a drug has gone through testing and has proven itself to be effective against a given disease. Many doctors do not keep pace with every development in the medical field. Representatives from pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies, software and hardware manufacturers, etc., hit the road and make personal contact with doctors to let them know what is available. So, if you have chosen your doctor carefully, I am sure he or she is smart enough to look after your interest.