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Question #1 I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer last year. Since then, I've had
surgery and undergone radiation treatment. I now have meds I must take daily for the rest of my life and the possibility of
the cancer to resurface. I also struggle with controlling my anger/patience. I'm with US Air Force special operations and
have been perfectly healthy for the past 9 years. I had a physical in January of 2015, went to US Army Ranger School a couple
months later, had another physical, and the cancer was discovered. Needless to say, I came in the military healthy,
and leaving not so healthy. I plan on getting out next year and was just curious if I would be eligible for any type of disability?
A1: Document this and everything else. Get a copy of your complete
medical file. Anything you were treated for in service is deemed service connected up to one year after discharge. I suggest
you get with a VSO on base and start building a claim. (PD) 3/24/2016
A2: Answer one is a good one. You are correct that if you did not have
the thyroid cancer when you entered the service and it occurred on active duty then you will be service connected for the
residuals of the thyroid cancer if they have removed the thyroid and/or it has gone into remission. I would also get
an Independent Medical Opinion in my Service Medical Records of any and all residual diagnosis of the secondary conditions
to thyroid cancer. The next thing that I would get a diagnosis on is the anger/patience. If you are a combat veteran
it is a good chance that this might be a residual of trips to a combat zone. Or if your live has been in danger.
The other thing to do is to get a diagnosis on active duty and file for a disability rating prior to separation. The
other thing is that if you have disabilities for thyroid cancer, PTSD/Anxiety/ Depression you may have enough to request a
PEB for an Honorable Discharge due to disabilities incurred on or aggravated by active duty. Your career NCO/Officer
and/or Family Support Center should have someone to counsel you on your options. (CP) 3/25/2016 A3: It sounds like your cancers were discovered while you were serving.
Your emotional symptoms sound like PTSD. Both wound be conditions eligible for VA disability status. You
should see a Service Officer certified by one of the primary veterans organizations (VFW American Legion, etc) to get
help filing a claim. Don't do it yourself. Trained help will get you through the claims process in the most efficient
manner. Good luck to you and thank you for your service. (KCS) 3/27/2016 A4: I have fought with the VA for 15 years because of the cancer I have. I even went to Waco in front
of the board and showed them I was sprayed in Vietnam. Their question was "What was I sprayed with?" If I
can't tell them what I was sprayed with than it would be denied. You can't win. Get a lawyer. (GLE)
4/4/2016 A5: All answers sound accurate
and I am adding a few comments for clarity. I had my thyroid removed within 1 year of discharge but VA denied despite
a well documented history because of the language used in my claim. For best chances of obtaining a rating, have your
records reviewed by a Veteran Service Organization before leaving service, especially for thyroid cancer and endocrinopathy
(which is presumed service connected and requires no burden of proof). Also, file a disability claim with VA now to
obtain a rating prior to leaving the military. Finally, instead of pursuing a discharge, consider pursuing a medical
disability discharge. Your challenge will be the resistance by DoD to acknowledge a pensionable rating or disability
discharge. If you are functional, then your service will find disabilities but with no impact on ability to perform
duties. Finally, copy every medical document, every physical, lab, X-ray report as well as mobilization orders, overseas
TDY/TDA and evaluations. (SH) 4/4/2016
A6: Tks for your service. Ans 1,2 and 3 are all correct. You need
to get your medical evidence together, contact your VSO or VFW your call and request assistance in filing your claim. Hopefully
your seeing a medical advisor for your conditions cancer and PTSD symptoms. Get started sometimes aging records can be difficult
to obtain and the longer you wait the greater the risk. Your conditions sound legit and you should follow through on
the claim also keep your family informed as to what you are doing, this could take some time. Good luck. (HC) 4/5/2016
A7: It
dose not matter if your injuries are combat related or not. The key word is Service Connected (happened while in the service).
(HC) 4/5/2016
A8: You may wish
to read through 38 Code of Federal Regulations regarding Veteran disability. This is the total and inclusive law which
governs such issues. There also likely are other laws which pertain to disability created/discovered while on active
duty. I too believe you can make a claim for disability for up to 2 years from separation, but this needs to be confirmed.
You may be eligible to file with the Veterans' Administration NOW for disability and compensation. Some rules govern this,
not the least of which is do you still have the issue, is it disabling, is it permanent, and are you precluded from working
due to this disability or a combination of disabilities. The VA has a governing rule under 38 CFR, regarding IU (Individual
Unemployability) for which you need to file with the VA. This is governed by the rating and combination of ratings under
the VA's evaluation (which can also include any private doctors). IU is granted if you have a single issue of 60% and
a combination of issues no less than 70%. In that case, the VA will pay you for total disability and your care will
not be subject to a financial means test, for anything. Your spouse would become eligible for medical coverage entitled
CHAMP VA. Any children you have, and your spouse, would become eligible for financial assistance to college up
to age 27 under Chapter 35 regulations. This would be approximately $1,000 a month for each child up to 36 months (assuming
9 months a year). This can be for undergraduate or graduate education. On a state level, benefits are in
addition to federal regs, such as California waives the cost of all fees for your children to attend a state college.
There are so many other things fir which you would receive notice. I wish you well. You likely will be subject to an
independent compensation and pension exam. This is a BS evaluation, so if you have any private records, letters, reports,
etc., take a copy to that exam, even though you will be instructed to leave them at home. These doctors do not want
to look bad and be in conflict with what specialists have evaluated. Your military medical records referred to by others,
would be handy to have, that a private physician with specialization in the field can issues a report. Lastly, the law requires
that if there is a discrepancy in evaluation between the VA and the veteran, the benefit MUST find for the veteran.
I trust there exists a similar guideline for active duty personnel. Wish you all success... and health. (NB)
4/17/2016 A9: I think answer 8 is
a very good one. There are so many in's and out's to filing a good claim that I think a good understanding for the overall
process is needed and reading Federal Code 38 is a great start. I would also find a experienced VSO to talk with now before
you get ready to retire. VSO's are not all the same, some have far more experience than others and you should find one who
are been doing it a while. Start working the support needed for you claim now....don't wait. (LG) 5/21/2016 A10: A DX of anything, documented in your SMR = VA SC. Just remember, Paper,
paper, Paper Trail. The easier you make it for the VA Rating Dept to verify your conditions, the faster your FDC will go.
(GD) 6/6/2016 A11: You
may file for compensation only, and I say only, if you can tie your thyroid cancer to your time in service. If not then no
you cannot file for compensation. (TVH) 7/31/2016 A12:
I highly recommend you go find/see a qualified VA accredited rep sooner than later to get guidance on what to do and when
the time comes they can help you file for what is needed. (LG) 8/4/2016 A13: It is called 'Service Connected Disability
because you were in thee military. Not only can you claim Disability through the Military, you can also claim SSD with the
Social Security for you and your wife and any children. (JK) 8/12/2016
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