Question:
Hi Jim, you responded to a similar question back in March, 2013 regarding selecting Watchful Waiting after having been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange. I am a 74 year old male and was diagnosed by the VA in April, 2014 (5+ years) after having a biopsy. The Gleason Score 6, 3+3 and I was awarded a 100% Temporary rating. My PSA has remained elevated but basically stable, though my most recent PSA increased a full point, though still below 7. I have had 2 or 3 annual reviews and the disability rating has remained unchanged. I have received and am scheduled for another annual review, though this was requested within just 10 months of the last, which has me concerned, seems to me they should become less frequent. My file indicates "Active" cancer. At my age and with a Gleason score of 6 I have no intention of receiving any treatment with worse lasting affects than the cancer. I believe that the VA did a study, the results indicated basically no difference in longevity with Watching Waiting and treatment. I believe that there is a 5 year rule of not reducing or terminating a rating after 5 years unless VA can prove improvement. I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you.
Jim's Reply:
There are any number of rumors about timeliness rules that may affect our benefits. None are true. VA can and often does lower a rating for cause so we can forget that. The fact is that VA hasn't yet caught on to watchful waiting and there is no proscribed end to all those "future exams". Until VA recognizes that many men choose watchful waiting they'll go on wasting taxpayer dollars requiring C & P exams that make no sense. Welcome to VA!