Max Rommel

I am a Vietnam-era herbicide exposed veteran and currently have a 10% service connected rating. I recently had a prostate biopsy after a negative PSA test suggested cancer. The biopsy showed I have a medium aggressive form of prostate cancer and I will be starting radiation treatments shortly. Can anyone tell me my next steps to claim a disability for AO presumptive prostate cancer? Thanks, Max

Thanks for your reply. I'll use your info to follow up. One thing that's amusing is they gave me a $4,000 pair of hearing aids and then followed up by denying my hearing claim.

One more question from a newbie. I applied for disability for hearing loss and Tinnitus. I was awarded 10% for Tinnitus but zero for hearing loss. In the denial letter for hearing loss the VA said that my hearing today is actually better than when I was separated 51 years ago! I am very skeptical. When I started my VA disability efforts they could not find my DD214. They said "We have no record of your service." So I gave them a copy of my DD214 and we went forward from there. So my question is: Should I believe that they really have my separation medical records when the VA couldn't even find my DD214? Should I appeal the hearing loss decision and ask to see a copy of my physical from my separation that they claim to have? Thanks again, Max

I was recently awarded a 10% rating for Tinnitus. I received a letter from the VA that said, "Our records show that the information used to establish your benefits has recently changed and that you are now enrolled in Priority Group 3. Your unique eligibility factors are 1.) 10% Service Connected, 2.) Determined to be a Vietnam-era herbicide exposed veteran." My question is: As a Priority Group 3 vet, can I now go to the VA for treatment of medical conditions other that the Tinnitus? Thanks. Btw, your answers to the earlier question I posted here were great. I appreciate it. Max

Thanks for your reply. Regarding your comment, "Are you 100% sure you DD 214 shows all decorations and awards you got?" A few years ago I wrote the records folks and asked for a list of my awards. I got a reply along with a box of medals that I didn't even know I had! None had been recorded on my DD214. Regarding this sentence, "Now is the time to file a claim for anything they could possibly SC." Can you tell me what "SC" means? Thanks, Max

I was discharged (USMC) in 1967 and in 1970 I was treated for high blood pressure at the VA hospital in L.A. California (Wadsworth). I later switched to treatment by private doctors and I have taken blood pressure meds my whole adult life (I'm now 71). I know high blood pressure is not an A.O. presumed illness (yet). But should I file a claim anyway? Btw, I am currently receiving a 10% disability for Tinnitus, so I'm in the VA system. Thanks. Max