Max Rommel

Thanks Patron for your response. The VA advised my brother that an Optum nurse practitioner in Oklahoma would be conducting his ACE exam. Because the biopsy is positive for an Agent Orange cancer (he's already at 100% for an earlier cancer), the VA raters probably won't have a choice and will have to grant him the award. I'll let my brother know that he can probably expect a letter any day now. Max

I ask questions on this forum from time to time for two of my Vietnam vet, AO disabled brothers. One recently filed a new presumptive illness claim (cancer) and as part of the Evidence Gathering phase was told there would be an ACE exam. That was exactly three weeks ago. Since then he's heard nothing. The VA website still shows as Evidence Gathering. We have submitted online all of his medical reports, biopsies etc, so on this end we are just waiting for the VA to take the next step. Any idea on how long we should wait before we contact them (800 number) and ask if there is a delay? Thanks in advance for your advice and assistance. Max

To support my disability claims, I have submitted medical reports (e.g., biopsies, xrays, etc.) to the VA using their online systems. I've often wondered though, does the VA ever go directly to your doctor for information, rather that get it from the vet? Just curious. Thanks! Max

Prostate Cancer is an Agent Orange presumptive illness. My neighbor (a Vietnam vet) was diagnosed with prostate cancer and his urologist has him on "active surveillance." Consequently, he is not getting treatment yet. Instead, he has frequent tests, with surgery or radiation postponed until the disease warrants more aggressive measures. The VA placed the vet on 100% disability. He wonders, "Will the VA keep him at 100% while he remains on active surveillance?" My understanding is that the answer is yes. But I wanted to ask vets on this forum for their input. Thanks in advance for your advice! Max

Thanks everyone for your help. My new claim is for Type 2 Diabetes. My tests/labs all confirm it (private MD) and I am taking 2 meds for it.

The VA is processing my claim. Under "Evidence Gathering, Review and Decision" they wrote: We closed the notice for Exam Request - Processing. Does this mean there won't be an exam as part of the evidence gathering? Thanks! Max

I was rated at 100% in 2018 and I'm aware that my rating could be reduced at some point. Internet sites state that the VA reevaluates claims every two to five years. It's been five years for me and so far I haven't heard a thing. Is the VA slow on doing the follow up reviews? Are they just backed up because of heavy caseloads? I'm hoping to keep my rating of course but just curious why things are so quiet. I'm 77 years old. Maybe that's part of it? Thanks. Max

Hey everyone, first time here with HadIt under new management. I wish them the best running this important veteran resource. I was diagnosed with Agent Orange prostate cancer three years ago. I was approved almost immediately by the VA for a 100% disability rating. My cancer has not been treated yet because my doctor (private practice) is following me with "active surveillance." He runs periodic tests (biopsies, MRI's, etc.) but treatment, such as surgery or radiation is postponed because my cancer is growing so slowly. The VA recognizes active surveillance and is ok with it. During this active surveillance phase of care the VA continues to pay me at the 100% rating. My question is: The VA has not been in touch with me for three years. I was under the impression that they would be checking my lab PSA numbers and periodically following up on the status of my cancer. But I have heard nothing. I am 77 years old and wonder if my age has something to do with it. I have read that the VA begins to back off once a veteran reaches 75. I am aware that if and when my cancer is treated and the PSA numbers return to normal, that the VA may reduce my disability percentage. If that's their policy I'm fine with it. But I just think it's strange that I don't hear a thing from them. Any thoughts? Thanks for your interest and help.

Follow up! Thanks everyone for your replies and advice. I filed for hypertension under the Pact Act even though I was told to wait two years. In my filing told the VA that I was first treated for the condition in 1970, three years after my military discharge. My initial place of treatment was at the VA hospital in West Los Angeles. I have been treated for hypertension by private doctors ever since. A month or so later I got a letter from the VA denying my claim. They said they couldn't locate the records from 52 years ago. I appealed asking, "So you are denying my claim because you (the VA) lost my medical records?? A few months later the VA apparently reversed themselves and gave me an appointment for a C&P exam. The doctor never actually examined me. He just reviewed my history of hypertension, asked what meds I've taken over the years, etc. Three weeks letter I was told by the VA that I was approved for hypertension "associated with herbicide," at a rating of 0%. Based on my experience I recommend that all Vietnam vets with hypertension apply for a disability rating. As Jamescripps2 stated, a 0% rating will allow you to pursue later claims secondary to hypertension.

I was diagnosed with Agent Orange presumptive prostate cancer in 2020. My doctor recommended "active surveillance" as the course of treatment. I am examined every 6 months and have regular follow-up tests (biopsies, MRI's, etc.). So far, my cancer has not progressed. If and when it does, radiation or surgery will likely follow. The VA has had me at a 100% disability rating since my initial diagnosis, which is typical for prostate cancer being managed with active surveillance. My question is, at the 5 year mark at 100%, will the VA make the 100% disability permanent? I have read conflicting information on this. Some articles say, at the 5 year mark at 100%, the rating becomes permanent. Other articles say that the rating can still be reduced after 5 years at 100%. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone!

In August, under the Pact Act expansion, I filed for hypertension to be added to my Agent Orange VA benefit, which is currently at 100% (for prostate cancer). I was just notified that they have granted my award, but at zero %. (see below) Your Benefit Information: Service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is granted with a 0 percent evaluation effective August 5, 2022. Is this type of award (zero %) typical? Is it because the hypertension does not impact day to day life? Thanks!

The Pact Act added high blood pressure to the "presumptive illness list. I filed a claim and it is moving through the process. However, the VA told me that I needed to show medical treatment in the past where my diastolic blood pressure was over 100. I told them that my early treatments were at the VA hospital in Los Angeles (1970s), and the VA hospital can't find the records. Consequently, I can't comply with the VA's request. What are my options here? One arm of the VA is asking me for records. The other arm of the VA can't find the records. It's a catch22. Thanks. Max Rommel

Hi everyone. Recently there seem to be a change. Instead of using my DS Login info the VA wants me to login using va.gov. I signed up for it and got approved with a PW. Plus it sends me a one-time code. But from there when I try to go to "My Va" I get an error message. I attached a snapshot of the message to this post. So basically I can't get in any longer to see my claims. What am I doing wrong? Thanks. Max

My high blood pressure was diagnosed about seven years after my discharge and I have been taking meds for it ever since (45 years). My diastolic was initially over 100 but it has been well controlled (under 100) for many, many years. Most of the doctors who treated me over the years are now dead or retired. Interestingly, I was first treated for high blood pressure in the 70s at the VA (Wadsworth) hospital in Los Angeles. I recently had them search for my records but they couldn't locate them. "Too long ago" they said. We'll see how this plays out with the VA. Thanks everyone for your responses.

The Pact Act has expanded the list of Agent Orange presumptive illnesses to include high blood pressure, aka hypertension. My assumption is that many, if not most surviving Vietnam veterans have this medical condition. Does anyone have an idea what disability rating the VA will give to vets with high blood pressure who take one or more meds to treat it?

I am currently 100% Agent Orange disabled veteran for prostate cancer. I was diagnosed and treated for high blood pressure in 1974 at the VA Wadsworth hospital in West Los Angeles (seven years after my discharge from active duty). Since then I have been treated continually for high blood pressure by private physicians in several different states. Interestingly, the VA hospital cannot find my medical records from my treatment in 1974. Should I file now for a disability rating for high blood pressure? Will there be a problem because the VA hospital in Los Angeles can't find my treatment records?

He was no longer in the Navy. But he was a US government employee (not a contract employee).

My brother is an A/O Vietnam veteran (Diabetes) currently hospitalized in San Diego. He has just been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (an A/O presumptive illness) and a new claim to the VA has been submitted. He has another question however. Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer has been linked to exposure to nuclear materials. After his military service he was a "special weapons" tactical bomb mechanic for the Navy for 25 years. Does anyone know if there are any veterans groups who had similar work experience (and possible exposure? Tx.

It looks like 2021 may be the year that hypertension (high blood pressure) finally becomes a A/O presumptive illness. If it happens, I have a "what if" question. I am currently a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran (prostate cancer). I was discharged in 1967. Beginning in the 1970's I was treated at the VA Hospital in West Los Angeles for high blood pressure. Although I eventually switched to private care, I have been treated for high blood pressure my entire adult life. So my question is: If high blood pressure becomes an A/O presumptive illness, could I submit a claim for retro compensation to the 70's because the VA was treating me for it back then? Thanks everyone.

I recently reported here that my AO claim for Prostate Cancer was approved, with a 100% rating. While I'm grateful for the award I have a question about the disability start date. I filed the claim online and submitted my evidence on May 21st. The VA has always acknowledged the filing date as May 21st. But when I received the decision letter it said the start date was June 1st, not May 21st. Is the VA correct? Are my disability payments effective on June 1st even though I filed my claim on May 21st? Thanks again everyone for your replies and expertise.

I asked for help on this site several times and the responses were great. I'm an AO Vietnam vet and I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. I submitted a claim online. I uploaded the biopsy and my DD214 after being told that I needed to prove just two things: I served in Vietnam and I have Prostate Cancer. I had a phone interview with an RN that lasted about 10 minutes. Exactly one month from the day I filed the claim I got a letter from the VA that said I was 100% disabled and would receive $3106 a month. Thanks everyone for your help. Now I need to focus on getting better.

I previously sent the VA my pathology report results (three of 12 samples were cancer, Gleason scores of 6, 6 and 7. They also have proof of my 13 months of service in Vietnam. The person on the phone said that a doctor's exam was not necessary. He said after they receive my completed email questionnaire from the VES, my claim would be sent to a rater. Does this sound about right? Thanks.

I served in Vietnam in 67-68 with the Marines. I was just diagnosed with prostate cancer (three of 12 biopsy samples, Gleason scores of six, six and seven). I filed a VA claim online and submitted the pathology report. Can anyone tell me what to expect from the VA? I am already an Agent Orange disabled vet in their system (10%) for another issue. A decision on the course of treatment for the prostate cancer will be made soon. It will probably be radiation or active surveillance. Thanks.