nicki

Here is the link to the SSN that states benefits www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf

Hi all- I will answer these the best of my abilities: In regards to SBP- My husband and I opted out . SBP for you spouse is 75.00 per every thousand you make in retirement, only to get 50% of the month retirement pay. So, he would have paid 150.00 a month so I could received 1000 a month before taxes. The SBP payout is considered an annuity. We opted for a term life, because for 40.oo a month you can get a 500g policy. Which when paid out is not taxable if under 500g. And its 50% TOTAL PAYOUT. So, if myself and the kids all got sbp right now, it would still only add up to 50% of his month retirement, and its taxable. AND my kids have to pay taxes on it just like SSI, which is just shitty I think. For the kids SBP it was only 20.00 per child. Definitely affordable. As for SSN- the kids get benefits until graduated HS- I have (2) 17 year olds that are getting benefits now. You can find that information on the SSN website. I am hoping that my boys will be able to utilize the REPS program. That in itself will be worth this fight. John D. and I spoke extensively about this. we also talked about how DIC would effect the SBP or if it would at all, considering it is for the boys, and not myself, and they are the ones who get the tax forms. He was going to look into that. Thanks for the all the information and help.

Hi Berta- Wade was not autopsied, but his death certificate states cause of death as "Mestatic Bladder Cancer". This summer the cancer spread and he had put in place ileostomy, and bi lateral nephrostomies because the tumors took over. My kiddos have SBP until 18 or graduate college (22)and we are getting SSI until graduation or college (21)? . He was on SSDI when he passed so they were fairly easy to deal with and the transition was smooth. I contact John Dorley. Funny, my husband is from Minnesota, and my first duty station was NARC Minneapolis. Coincidence? Im thinking it was fate to be quiet honest. He was a wealth of information. Thanks for your kind words and help. I am curious to the autopsy relevance. Nicki

I just got off the phone with Jon, Dr. Bashs assistant. He helped me tremendously. Thanks Nicki

Hi everyone- I posted about a year ago inquiring about submitting a VA for my husbands bladder cancer that our oncologist believed was cause to toxic/environmental exposures while in the military. (though she would not clearly state "more likely than not" in her letter) (USN 22 years retired. 0% rating for knee and ear issues.) After three rounds of hard chemo, surgery, c-diff and many other issues, he finally took his walk with god this past December. He left behind 17 year old twins and a 15 year (boys). Our hearts are broken. Wade was 48 at time of diagnosis and 49 when he passed. His cancer was a transitional cell, which transitioned into TWO very rare cancers called lipoid variant urethral carcinoma and plasmacytoid urethral carcinoma. He was given 18 months at diagnosis, but managed 16. I feel lucky and blessed to have that. This cancer was hard and nasty, and invaded his gut, kidneys and other organs. He fought until then end. To say the paperwork from DFAS and the VA has been a nightmare is an understatement. His claim closed upon his death. I signed the paperwork to re-open his claim under my name, and have requested his CFile. Yesterday I went a requested all his medical records and scans for me personally. There is more and more info out there on bladder cancer and air quality. (I tried to cut and paste some link here but it wont let me) I have been in correspondence with Dr. Harrison Butler about moving forward with an IMO. Does anyone have an opinion on Dr. Butler? He was recommended by Robert ODowd, one of the men in the fore front of the Camp Lejeune debacle. I am also open to any advice, recommendations of physicians, etc. Feel free to let it roll. I have a lot going on (obviously) so I don't want to overlook anything in this regard. Anything is much appreciated. Much love- Nicki

Thanks everyone! Hubby had an appointment today. Our physician is open to writing IMO, but is concerned that the IMO needs to be someone other than the treating physician. Is this correct? Obviously she would only be able to advocate for the cancer/chemical exposure claim. I contacted dr. Bash but have not heard back. Also found out today hubby has irreversible kidney damage due to chemo. Cancer sucks.

How much does an IMO usually run? Not trying to be nosey. Its just my husband is on SSDI and there isnt alot rolling in with 3 teenagers....

Thank you so much Berta for your reply. I left tis in the hands of my VFW rep, and was told NOTHING of any of this. I just submitted the wih no evidece except the letter and medical records. OBVIUSLY I need to get my "stuff" together. Im not familar with alot of the acronyms you used, so Im guessing here. SC is Service Connected correct? His SC Rating of 0 was for "bilatera wrist, left punctured ar drum, right ear hearing loss, status post right patella fracture, claimed as right knee injury and righ knee". In April I rceived packet frm the VA with "What we still need from you" letter. It also had enclosed VA Form 21-4138, 21-4142, VCAA, and "what the Evidence Must Show". When I called my VFW rep, he told me not to worry and just have the hubby sign the VCAA notice and email it back to him. By reading the packet info, I klnow realize I have alot of work to do. How do I get a IMO? I need guidance on this. Where would I find a hysican to support his claim? Is there a netwok or forum that people can post who they have used an reccomend? Do they do ti with visiting with patient in conjuction with his or by medical records from both his military service and current medical records. Or can you just send the records and they can give their opinion that way? I am hesitant to ask my husbands oncologist, becasue the initial letter. I hink adhreing to the guidelines that you outline previously would be something she would not agree to, for the main reason she is the head of the urology oncology departmentand all the politics involved with that. Her initial letter stated the following: Mr Wade Woxland is currently aplying for Veterans benefits related to his bladder cancer, andI am writing thi letter in support of his application. Mr. Woxland was diagnosied with bladder cancer in 8/12 and is currently under my care. Mr Woxland was employed by the Navy for 20 years, and believes his bladder cancer may be related to possible occupatonal exposures. The curent literature estimtes the 5-25% of all bladder cancers result from occupational risk factors. To my nowledge, Mr Woxland is a never smoker, has negitve family history of bladder cancer, does not hve history of urinary tract disease and does not have any exposure to drugs such as phenacetin. thank you for your consideration. (Along ith this letter was 2 pages of enclosures backing up othe claim of occupational exposure-with studies ) So, what I think I need to do now, is get a timeline together of each of his duty stations and all the chemicals he used at each one. And an IMO. Should I get letters from his shipmates stating that he did indeed use these chemicals? Also, should I call he VA to make sure they have all his medical records? Is there anything else? The AL rep advisedme to 21-4138 and state "Wade Woxland currently hs saage 4 cancer which is terminal. His life expectinect is 9-18 monts. We request you expidite this claim quickly." I hope that doesnt bite me in the butt! Im so mad right now, at myself and at the American Legion rep. He told me NOTHNG of any of these thing Im learning here. . And under different circumstances, I probably would have done this myself (the claim) and not used the VFW, but I was told "they should do everything for you-they are there to help you" I feel like Im going to blow this for Wade if I dont get it together soon. Sorry for the vent-thanks for the help! Sorry about the typos previously. Need a new keyboard.

I came across this website as kinda a fluke, but IM SO GLAD I DID! I guess god really does give you what you need at the right time! My name is Nicki, I spent 11 yrs AD Navy. My husband Wade spent 20 years and was an AD1 (jet mech) from 1983-2004. He retired in 2004. august 2012 he was diagnosed with a rare form of bladder cancer (adenocarcinoma-lipid variant). At that time, our oncologist at University of Colorado said she truly believe it was from exposure to chemicals while in the navy (specifically benzene, but there were all sorts of crap he was exposed to) and advised me to file a VA claim and wrote a letter on our behalf stating no family history, non smoker, probably environmental related, etc. I met with an American Legion rep who started the process. Since that time, he has undergone chemo, had his bladder, prostate and appendix removed. We went to MD Anderson in Jan 13 where he was diagnosed with plasmacytoid urethral carcinoma. The cancer has spread to the liver, colon, pancreas and adrenal glands. He has about 9-18 months. He will be 49 years old on 6/13. He was in the best shape of his life. The doctor is now adamant he was exposed to something in the Navy that is the cause. He was also stationed at NAS JRB Willow Grove for 4 years, 1996-2000,which is a EPA Superfund Site (you would not believe all the people with cancer from there!). I have kept the VA and our rep with the most up to date records. I have been getting letters stating they have the claim. Wade was discharged with a 0% disability rating. Am I doing this right? What am I missing? Please advise