Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 08/06/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
I understand that there is a 100% disability for Agent Orange related prostate cancer during the first 6 months of treatment for the disease. I would like to know how the VA determines the degree of disability for compensation purposes subsequent to the 6 month treatment period. What determines 60% vs. 40% vs. 20%? Also, what reference does the VA use to make their determinations for such awards? Any help is appreciated.

T.W.
aol.com

Dear T.W.:
Prostate cancer is rated at 100% during the course of radiation or chemotherapy. The veteran is scheduled for an exam 6 months after the final chemotherapy or radiation. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, the percentage of disability is based on residuals such as voiding or renal dysfunction. The 100% disability would be continued if regular renal dialysis were required. Voiding dysfunction is evaluated on criteria such as urine leakage frequency or obstructed voiding. Urinary incontinence is one of the conditions that would be evaluated as 60% disabling. Urinary dysfunction requiring the wearing of absorbent pads which must be changed 2 to 4 times a day would warrant a 40% evaluation.

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
Last week we had two inquiries about the Veterans Recognition Window Stickers we make, from Northern Virginia. Both referenced your news column of about a year ago. We still make the stickers and have sent thousands to proud vets from all part of the country. Veterans can still view black and white images of the 33 different stickers at the following web site: www.wat3.com/vetsignia. A sticker request form at the site shows cost and how to order the stickers.

Bob Kline
WWII/U.S. Marines, for the VetSignia Group 

Dear Bob:
That is great. I understand persons interested in the stickers can also write to you at Box 382, Blue Bell, PA 19422, or call (610) 277-1171. 

Shaft Kudos
A pat on the back to House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ) for spearheading the passage of a 5.6% increase of $1.2 billion increase in veterans health care spending in Fiscal Years 2002 and 2003. The bill, H.R. 811, also funds the Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act that calls for immediate repairs and upgrades to VA's more obsolete and dilapidated hospitals. The $300 million provided for hospital repair funding is in addition to the Administration's requested $179 million for minor construction projects. The budget approved by the Appropriations Committee would also provide an increase in discretionary spending for VA of $1.8 billion. It would also provide $22.1 billion for total VA medical spending; $955 million for the Veterans Benefits Administration (an increase of 16%); $371 million for medical and prosthetic research ($20 million above current levels); $50 million in addition to the $50 million requested by the Administration for state veteran nursing home construction and grants; and $27 billion the Administration requested for compensation, education, housing, and insurance benefits.

And also to Chairman Smith for his leadership in establishing two new Centers for the Study of War-Related Illness, to be located in East Orange, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. "The establishment of these two centers is a significant step forward in addressing the many illnesses, injuries and other conditions that uniquely effect men and women who have served in our armed forces during times of peace and war," said Smith. "It is an historic opportunity to carefully study war, its obvious and not so obvious effects on combat veterans, and to help identify new and effective therapies for all who have put their lives on the line for freedom and democracy." Chairman Smith said the new national centers will promote the training of health care personnel in research on causes, mechanisms, and treatment of war-related illnesses; serve as a resource center and clearinghouse for exchanging information for the Defense Department and other federal agencies; and coordinate with the Defense Department, Public Health Service, and other research and treatment centers in dissemination of information about war-related illnesses. "The lessons learned from the Vietnam and gulf wars are that many of our veterans return from front line duty wit health problems and complications not readily or easily diagnosed," added Rep. Smith. "This legislation will establish the centers for the study of war-related illnesses so that we can pull together medical, scientific, and academic expertise and channel it toward helping veterans with conditions that are debilitating but not easily treated."

And an atta-boy to good friend Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) for his continued support of improvements to the Washington, D.C. VA Medical Center. In a letter to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Christopher Bond (R-MO), the ranking members of the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, Sen. Hagel requested that they include $19.5 million for the Outpatient Clinic Expansion Project at that center. Wrote Sen. Hagel: "Many of the 400,000 veterans residing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area currently receive health care from the D.C. VA Medical Center. Consistent with trends in the health care industry, the VA Medical Center is shifting from care provided in an inpatient setting to an outpatient, ambulatory care approach, However the current facility, built in 1965, was designed for inpatient care and is not well suited for ambulatory care. It is in need of major renovation in order to accommodate this dramatic shift in health care services. Because the District does not have a Congressional delegation, this project has not received the attention it deserves. This renovation will improve care by decreasing the average waiting time for appointments. The plan calls for a doubling of the number of exam rooms, allowing physicians to see significantly more patients. The VA Medical Center expansion is essential to ensure that the veterans served by the facility will receive quality and timely health care."

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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