VA Prescribed Ranitidine (Zantac)

[PNC]

Recently 4/21 diagnosed with bladder cancer after surprise onset of "lower plumbing" issues.  Had taken VA Prescribed Ranitidine (Zantac) since 2017 for Acid Reflux until recall of drug for suspected carcinogens and connection to certain cancers.  Anyone out there with same situation and/or any information on VA Response to claims?  Or, experience with Class Action Lawsuits pending.

[GBArmy]

PNC Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I don't have any direct info to share except for one thing. In the past if there has been a class action suit for a VA s-c disability, if the veteran joins the class action, he will may in effect waive any VA disability comp for the disability. Contact the law firms and ask; get more than one answer. I would also generate a IRIS inquiry to the VA and ask about the VA's position as well. If you are cut off from future comp, you have to weigh what is the best course of action for you and your family.

[Berta]

You said in a past post here: " My time in service was 1969-1989"

Do you receive CRDP?

Bladder Cancer has become an AO presumptive:
"Three new conditions were recently added to the list of presumptive conditions for which the Department of Veterans Affairs grants service connection to Vietnam War veterans affected by exposure to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange.  This means that tens of thousands of veterans will now be eligible for VA disability benefits if their Agent Orange exposure resulted in bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, or Parkinson’s Disease-like symptoms."

https://cck-law.com/blog/new-agent-orange-presumptive-conditions-2021/

Is it possible you were onboard one of the many ships that were within the 12 mile limit of the coast of Vietnam, after their AO exposure date?

The most recent AO Ships list is here:
https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/docs/shiplist.docx
 

Edited April 26, 2021 by Berta

[Buck52]

I am not sure if you would have a class action suit or not??

it maybe more beneficial to you to file the presumption claim for bladder cancer

if you were exposed the A.O. Chemicals/Vietnam Veteran boots on the ground.

As Ms berta mention they just added Bladder cancer to the A.O. list.

[Buck52]

 FYI,

Bladder cancer is rated under 38 C.F.R. § 4.115a , Diagnostic Code 7528, which provides for a 100 percent rating for malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system.

[Berta]

 

"For veterans suffering from an active form of bladder cancer, or those in a period of post-treatment convalescence, VA will assign a temporary and total disability rating. While receiving “x-ray, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures” for bladder cancer, VA will assign veterans a temporary 100% disability rating for up to six months following the end of treatment.

If a veteran’s bladder cancer remains active, the VA will extend their temporary and total disability rating until the cancer goes into remission. Once veterans stop receiving treatment due to remission, VA will schedule a follow-up Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam in order to reevaluate the condition. The rating schedule for active bladder cancer can be found in 38 CFR § 4.115b Diagnostic Code 7528, “malignant neoplasms of the genitourinary system.”

There is more bladder cancer rating info in this article:

https://cck-law.com/blog/how-does-the-va-rate-bladder-cancer/

( CCK vet lawyers)