Question:
During my time stationed at Redstone Arsenal, I was exposed daily to Trichloroethylene in my job in electronics maintenance. This chemical has since been found to be carcinogenic and specifically found to cause testicular cancer. I was diagnosed with testicular cancer within 10 months of my departure from the Army. In the 30 years since that time, I have been diagnosed with 6 cancers and the latest has metastasized to my lungs.
My history: Testicular cancer- 1988 - treated with surgery and chemo Thyroid cancer- 2000- treated with surgery and I 131 radiation and external beam radiation Melanoma (back) - 2006 - treated with surgery Parotid cancer- 2008 - adenocarcinoma - treated with surgery and radiation Submandibular gland cancer- 2017 - Adnoid Cystic Carcinoma - treated with surgery and radiation Lung metastasis - Adnoid Cystic Carcinoma - discovered August 2018 via CT (both lungs). Left lung partial lobectomy by Dr. Robert Cerfolio - NYU in November 2018. Biopsied positive for ACC. Repeat CT December 2018 shows stable right lung nodules and possible new nodule in left lung Seeking opinions from several ACC oncologists around the world. Approved for long term Social Security Disability. I have recently applied for VA disability based on evidence of veteran's with exposure to TCE. In your opinion, should I seek an advocate to help with this claim? Thank you for all that you do for veterans.
Jim's Reply:
I don't believe an advocate can help you. All an advocate could do is to help you file the papers and looking at what you've compiled in an orderly way, I'd guess you're self-sufficient. The one thing you'll need is an IMO (Independent Medical Opinion) to help you to connect all the dots and prove that your illnesses are caused, contributed to or otherwise aggravated by the TCE exposure. Without an IMO by an expert, I'd guess you'll have a 0% - 5% chance of prevailing. With an IMO as part of your claim, I'd go to a 95% confidence that you'd prevail w/o an appeal. I have more about the IMO process and doctors who can help you over at my VAWatchdog site. I only refer to two physicians across America...getting it done right can be that specific and both these doctors have seen TCE plenty of times.