I'm a Vietnam Vet drawing the non-service connected disability pension of $931.00 per month. Recently tho, my health sharply declined and after CAT scans, biopsies etc, the VA determined I have terminal brain cancer along with some lung cancer. I guess I have about a year they estimate.

In any event is there any more/different entitlements that I may not be aware of as a result of the Cancer? Beyond the pension I'm already drawing? I'm trying to see if I'm due more so I can reduce the burden on my caregiver.

I didn't know where to post this, so sorry if it's a bad place. I do appreciate any help/info about this. Thanks in advance. C. Fourton, near Salt Lake City.

This is very upsetting news-

however-are you able to get a second opinion?

Is there any way at all that any of your disabilities could be connected to your service?

The VA service connects numerous forms of cancer-lung cancer is one of them- as long as it is a STS cancer (soft tissue sarcoma)for incountry Vietnam vets as they were presumed to be exposed to AO.They would also have to service connect any other area that the cancer metasized to- if medical evidence proves that link-

You said "caregiver" and not spouse-is this caregiver your dependent?

The brain cancer- is this a soft tissue sarcoma?

I suggest that you obtain your VA medical records and then access the list of cancers that are due to Agent Orange-the list is here under a search and also at the NVLSP web site and see if your forms of cancer are on that list-

I am assuming of course that you served incountry-Vietnam.


when the VA awarded the pension, they obviously considered direct SC and denied that- do you still have their decision? why did they deny direct service connection for the lung cancer?

Agent Orange Cancers:


TYPES OF CANCER / TIME REQUIREMENT
Cancer of the Bronchus No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Cancer of the Larnyx No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Lung Cancer No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Cancer of the Trachea No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Prostate Cancer No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Hodgkin's Disease No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Multiple Myeloma No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma No time requirement (veteran qualifies no matter when the disease first appears.)
TYPES OF SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA TIME REQUIREMENT
Adult Fibrosarcoma
Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma
Angiosarcoma
Clear Cell Sarcoma of Aponeuroses
Clear Cell Sarcoma of Tendons
Congenital Fibrosarcoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
Ectomesenchymoma
Epithelioid Malignant Leiomyosarcoma
Epithelioid Malignant Schwannoma
Epithelioid Sarcoma
Extraskeltal Ewing's Sarcoma
Hemangiosarcoma
Infantile Fibrosarcoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Liposarcoma
Lymphangiosarcoma
Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma
Malignant ganglioneuroma
Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of the Tendon
Sheath
Malignant Glandular Schwannoma
Malignant Glomus Tumor
Malignant granular cell tumor
Malignant Hemangiopericytoma
Malignant Mesenchymoma
Malignant Schwannoma with Rhabdomyoblastic differentiation
Prolifertationg (systemic)Angiendotheliomatosis
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Synovial Sarcoma

If you are an in-country RVN vet and the cancer started in the lung and spread to the brain that would be an AO presumptive cancer. I don't know how you prove that except by a medical opinion. Lung cancer is presumptive for AO and usually spreads through out the whole body since it is carried by the blood from what I know. Lance Armstrong got cancer of the testicals and it spread to his brain so it depends of where this cancer started.

Here's some more info. I served in country RVN from 1971 - 1972. My caregiver is my ex-wife, we've been back together since 1997 although not remarried yet, but I hope to do that before I go. My service in Vietnam was primarily at Nha Trang and a couple months at Bien Hoa. Hope this is helpful. I'm just trying to do what I can to be less of a financial burden on my ex, since we live out of Salt Lake City a ways and gas etc prices being what they are.

I'm a noobie at this trying to determine what I qualify for, but I really do appreciate all your advice and assistance. I don't have alot to time I guess and my short time memory isnt very good. Had the first session of chemotherapy yesterday and it went will tho.

Once again, thanks to all

Carl

[color="#0000FF"]Carl:

Hang in there. I think that you should write a letter and attach a copy of your diagnosis and ask for the VA to make a quick decision on your claim. It sounds to me like your ex wife has come back to help and that if you are considering remarriage please do it quickly.I am a big time procrastinator myself and I try to overcome it by taking action as soon as it crosses my mind or making a note on to do list.

You might consider visiting your Social Worker at the VA Medical Hospital yes ever patient has one but many do not know that.

Good Luck[/color]

Carl-I am echoing that post too- HANG IN THERE!

I am concerned - do you live in a state that recognizes common law? otherwise the ex wife might NOT be deemed as your spouse if something bad happens to you-

at least one of the terms evandc listed could be absolutely critical to your claim-do you have a copy of your medical records?

You need to check the records for both the brain and the lung cancer.

Although the regs say lung cancer is due to Agent Orange (and since you were in Vietnam you are already considered as exposed to AO) the lung cancer still has to be of a soft tissue sarcoma type-

I found this out when the MOPH (Military Order of Purple Heart) told a widow she would definitely get DIC but her husband, a Vietnam vet, died from a different type of lung cancer not of the STS type and the DIC claim was denied.
I am glad the first chemo session went ok for you-a positive attitude , in my opinion, can do wonders.

I think you are definitely looking at a potential TDIU award (the 100% comp rate) based on these disabilities-BUT the key is to get them service connected first.

Your first post here indicates you get a VA NSC pension- and this was before they found the brain and lung cancer-(makes me wonder if they should have found it sooner) - veteran- what disability is the NSC pension for?