VA Disability Review ► Frequently Requested to Check Severity of Disabilities

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VA Disability Review ► Frequently Requested to Check Severity of Disabilities

A thorough review of disability examinations is often requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to check on the severity of a previously rated service-connected disability. VA staff use review exams, and any other relevant evidence, to assess the current severity of a disability and, If possible, reduce the initial rating assigned. VA regulations point out specific timelines for “examination checks,” but, it is not a hard and fast rule, and, oftentimes, ignored by VA personnel. But, rest assured, it will happen at some point. By law, VA should and will request a review exam under the following circumstances:

  • VA needs to assess the severity of a disability; · Additional or more relevant evidence indicates there has been an important and significant (or material) change in a disability; or
  • Because of law, VA personnel are required to conduct a periodic review.

The Examination Process
Oftentimes, a contracted medical professional or VA medical professional will conduct the disability review exam. The medical examiners and staff will not answer specific questions about benefits, pension program or compensation. Nor, will they consult with a veteran about the disability compensation process. Acting as a stoic conduit within strict bureaucratic protocol, the medical examiners methodically go through a set of procedures to assess disability conditions. Typically, the examination is conducted in a medically approved facility, with the veteran and medical staff member. In very rare cases, VA personnel may decide that an examination by telephone would be the most appropriate route.

The medical examiner will often conduct the following procedures:

  • Ask a veteran questions related to the disability in question; · Perform a physical exam related to the disability; · If multiple disability conditions are to be examined the medical examiner will conduct one examine at-a-time; · Send the veteran for lab work, which may include: blood work, X-rays, MRI, etc.; · While conducting exam, the medical examiner will pay very close attention to how the veteran reacts to certain procedures; · At the conclusion of the exam, sometimes the medical examiner is required to go over the veterans medical file with him/her;
  • In some instances, if the veteran is accompanied by someone familiar with the disability the veteran is having examined, the medical examiner may ask that person questions related to the disability being examined. It is important to understand that the medical examiner is not involved in making a rating decision about the disability. The medical examiners’ job is simply to conduct the examination based upon certain set of criteria established by VA. However, the words the examiner uses in describing the examination review, may ultimately affect the thinking of the VA rater and how a disability is to be perceived. The medical examiner may select words and sentence structures that may be perceived in a way that a reduction in compensation benefits is necessary, or that an increase is appropriate or no change at all is necessary.

Based on a thorough review of the disability examined, VA raters may issue a new or updated medical decision and contact the veteran by mail. After the decision has been made, VA will do 1 of 3 possible outcomes:

  • The veteran’s disability rating will remain unchanged;
  • It was concluded that the disability has worsened and an increase in compensation benefits may be approved. If not approved for an increase it will be annotated in a veteran’s disability file that an increase was not warranted, but the worsening of the disability condition has been recorded and recognized;
  • The disability has improved significantly enough that a reduction in compensation benefits may be appropriate at this time.

If a veteran misses a review exam, it may negatively affect the outcome of any potential increase in compensation benefits. The veteran should always call their VA Regional Office (VARO) to reschedule their appointment as soon as reasonably possible once they realize they won’t make it to the scheduled review exam. Harsh, but true, if a veteran misses an exam without details as to why, VA may be required by law to propose an immediate reduction in the disability that was to be examined or an immediate termination of compensation benefits for that specific disability.

It’s very important that a veteran review exam results as soon as possible. All too often, what is written by the medical examiner differs quite a bit from what the veteran witnessed. For instance, some veterans have reported that the medical examiner indicated that a certain instrument was used during the exam, and the veteran was sure no such instrument was ever used. Checking the accuracy of the medical exam is crucial. Some veterans use the Post Examination Assessment Form immediately after medical examinations conducted by VA medical staff. In doing so, the veteran has an opportunity to record exam results as he/she remembers them, and the form provides a structured format the way VA personnel like to work with.

Lastly, it is vital to the outcome of any medical examination conducted by VA personnel that the veteran comb over all details of correspondence sent to them related to the medical examination. Addressing any and all issues related to the medical examination is a must. If VA is asking for information, it is very important that a veteran respond to the question as soon as humanly possible. Some veterans may require the help of a certified VSO in interpreting information sent to them be VA personnel. Understanding what a veteran receives from VA is of utmost importance. [Source: USVCP | June 2018 ++]

VA Appeals Status Tracker ► How to check the Status of Your Claim

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VA Appeals Status Tracker ► How to check the Status of Your Claim

Knowing what stage of the appeals process your claim is in can help you avoid missing deadlines and better understand how the VA claims and appeals process works.

Generally, there are eight steps that disability claims follow:

1) Claim Received. Your claim is moved to this stage once it has been received by VA.

2) Under Review. A Veterans Service Representative is reviewing your claim to determine if there is a need for additional evidence. This includes the results of your Compensation and Pension Exam, which VA will schedule.

3) Gathering of Evidence. If the Veterans Service Representative deems that your claim requires additional evidence, he or she will request it from the appropriate sources.

4) Review of Evidence. All evidence is received and is under review.

5) Preparation for Decision. At this stage, the Veterans Service Representative has recommended a decision and is preparing documents detailing that decision.

6) Pending Decision Approval. The Veterans Service Representative’s decision is reviewed, and a decision is made.

7) Preparation for Notification. Your decision is being prepared for mailing.

8) Complete. The award or decision is sent to you via U.S. mail, along with the details surrounding this decision.

VA allows veterans to track the progress of their claims throughout the claim stream in three ways:

  • By visiting a local VA regional office;
  • By calling VA’s national toll-free phone number at 800-827-1000;
  • Or by logging into gov and using VA’s appeals tracker.

Online VA Appeals Status Tool VA has created its online appeal status tracker in an attempt to improve transparency and allow veterans easier access to their appeal’s status. VA describes this tool as easy to use and provides accessible information to veterans. To use this tool, veterans can sign into vets.gov using:

o DS Logon, which is the same logon as your eBenefits account;

o My HealtheVet account; o ID me account.

If you do not yet have a login, create an ID me account at https://api.id.me/en/registration/new. Once you are logged in, select the “Check your claim and appeal status” option to access the appeals tracker tool. The main page entitled “Your Compensation Appeals and Claims” will show the type of claim that is under appeal (e.g. Appeal of Compensation Decision), the date you received the claim decision, the appeal’s status (e.g. a Decision Review Officer is reviewing your appeal), the issues on appeal (e.g. increased rating), and a “View Status” option that will lead you to detailed information about your appeal.

On the “View Status” page, veterans can view the current status of their appeal followed by a description of what happens during the next step of the process (e.g. The Board will make a decision). On this screen, you may also select “See past events” which displays a timeline of events that have already occurred throughout your appeal process. Below this timeline, you will see the “Current Status” of your appeal. If your appeal stage requires action, an alert box will be highlighted in yellow under this portion of the webpage. This section will describe what action must be taken in order to continue on with your appeal and the date by which it must be completed. For example, if a veteran recently received a Statement of the Case, this section will instruct the veteran to submit a VA Form 9 within 60 days of receiving it and provide the deadline.

The “What happens next?” feature will display a projected wait time for reaching the next step in the appeal process. Using the same example as mentioned above, the “What happens next?” section will show an estimate of when your case will be transferred to The Board if you do not submit new evidence with your VA Form 9. In this case, a timeline of two events will be provided because veterans are able to submit new evidence in support of their claim at this stage. If you did submit new evidence, you will subsequently receive another Statement of the Case, called a Supplemental Statement of the Case, and a new projected timeframe.

Once your appeal has been certified to the Board, you will be able to see a progress bar beneath “What happens next?” showing where your appeal is on the Board’s docket. This progress bar shows the total number of appeals on the docket, and the number of appeals ahead of you. Although you are able to see the progress of your docket number, no time estimate is provided here as the Board is not required to adhere to any deadlines.

At the top of the page, there is a tab entitled “Issues” where you are able to see what issues are currently on appeal and previous issues that have been closed whether they were granted, denied, or withdrawn. If you need assistance during any point of the appeal process, do not hesitate to contact a VA-accredited claims agent, Veteran Service Organization, or VA-accredited attorney. [Source: Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD | July 5, 2018 ++]

VA Mission Act Update 11 ► Top Questions Answered

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VA Mission Act Update 11 ► Top Questions Answered

On 6 JUN VA implemented changes to community care under the VA MISSION Act. The changes included expanded eligibility for community care and a new urgent care benefit. As part of our outreach and engagement efforts, the VA collected the top questions received from Veterans and provided answers to each one below with the goal of making it easier to access the care you have earned.

General Health Care

  • When can I receive community care? Eligibility for community care depends on your individual health care needs or circumstances. You should discuss community care eligibility with your VA care team to determine if you are eligible. This video provides a quick overview of Veteran community care.
  • Can I get dental care through the MISSION Act? Eligibility for dental services has not changed under the MISSION Act. You should talk to your VA care team about eligibility for dental services. Click here for more information about dental care.
  • How does a community provider know I am eligible to receive community care? If your VA care team has determined that you are eligible for community care and you chose a community provider, VA will send the provider a referral and authorization prior to you receiving care. You must receive approval from VA prior to obtaining care from a community provider in most circumstances.
  • I was authorized for community care under the Choice program. What happens now? The Choice program expired on June 6, 2019, and specific Choice eligibility for community care is no longer being used. If you were eligible for community care under Choice, you should speak with your VA care team or a VA staff member at your local VA medical facility about updated eligibility for community care. This video also provides a quick primer regarding community care eligibility under the new Veteran community care program.

Urgent Care

  • How do I become eligible for the urgent care benefit? You must be enrolled in VA health care and have received care through VA from either a VA or community provider within the past 24 months to be eligible for the urgent care benefit.
  • How can I find an urgent care provider? To find an urgent care location in VA’s contracted network, use the VA facility locator at https://www.va.gov/find-locations . Select the link entitled “Find VA approved urgent care locations and pharmacies near you”.
  • What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care? Urgent care consists of medical services provided for minor illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening such as strep throat, pink eye, or influenza. Emergency care consists of inpatient or outpatient hospital services that are necessary to prevent death or serious impairment of health such as severe chest pain, seizures or loss of awareness, heavy uncontrollable bleeding, or moderate to severe burns.
  • Do I have to pay a copayment if I receive urgent care that relates to my service-connected condition? Copayments for urgent care are different from other VA medical copayments. Copayments for urgent care depend on your assigned priority group and the number of times you visit any urgent care provider in a calendar year. Visit the Urgent Care webpage for more information about copayments.
  • How do I get prescription medication related to an urgent care visit? VA will pay for or fill prescriptions for urgent care. For urgent care prescription medication longer than a 14-day supply, the prescription must be submitted to VA to be filled. For urgent prescriptions written by an urgent care provider, you can fill a 14-day supply of medication at a contracted pharmacy within the VA network, in VA, or at a non-contracted pharmacy. If a non-contracted pharmacy is used, you must pay for the prescription and then file a claim for reimbursement with your local VA medical facility. Go to https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/pubs/factsheets.asp for more detailed information on community care and urgent care.

[Source: VA News| June 19, 2019 ++]

VA Appeals Update 38: Choice, Control, Clarity: Appeals Modernization

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VA Appeals

Update 38: Choice, Control, Clarity: Appeals Modernization

The Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) of 2017 gave Veterans a greater choice in how to disagree with a VA claim decision. Giving Veterans more choice has been a top priority for VA. Cheryl Mason, the Chairman of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, joined Ashleigh Barry on a special edition of VA News to take a deeper look at the modernized appeals process, discuss some early positive signs from the implementation of AMA, and to announce that Veterans can expect to see telehealth technology incorporated into the appeals process in 2020. “The Appeals Modernization system was designed to give Vets primarily three things: choice, control and clarity of their claim’s appeals process. And so that choice means they have options, they’re no longer stuck in a situation,” said Mason. Under AMA, Veterans can choose from one of three lanes to have their decision reviewed:

  1. Supplemental claim;
  2. Higher-level review; or
  3. Appeal to the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

If a Veteran chooses to appeal to the Board, he/she can choose from one of three dockets:

  1. Direct review;
  2. Evidence submission; or
  3. Hearing request.

Which lane should Veterans choose? “We always advise Veterans to work with their representative…,” Mason said. “While we have made it easier, it’s still a little confusing to Veterans because it is different. Veterans representatives can really advise them on what they need to do.”

Nationwide availability of virtual hearing technology is on the horizon, too. Mason discussed how virtual hearings provide Veterans with increased access and improved customer service. “Much like you see with the telehealth process right now, where you see Veterans use their phones, their computers, their iPad to talk to a doctor, you’ll be able to talk to a judge–and that’s actually happening right now,” said Mason. The Board started testing virtual hearings in July. Its positive results showcase its need for 2020 and beyond. “You won’t have to travel 4-6 hours across the state to come to a hearing, or, if you’re not in a situation where it’s healthy for you to travel you don’t have to do that, you can do it at home,” Mason added.

Virtual hearings may also have an impact on the Veteran’s well-being, as it may take away some of the stress Veterans face when going through the appeals process. “It’s something that is very important to me personally. I’m very engaged in the mental wellness and suicide prevention process with PREVENTS… if [a virtual hearing] means making the hearing process comfortable for them, that’s what we want to do,” Mason added. For more information about the Board and its progress on appeals modernization:

FactSheet.pdf

VA News, and other engaging content, is available on televisions at select VA medical centers across the country and via simulcast on the Veterans News Network at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA3X-ZxMTfg. [Source: Vantage Point | Ron Haskell | January 27, 2020 ++]

VA Appeals

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VA Appeals

Update 37: Progress on Resolution of Legacy Appeals

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Appeals Management Office (AMO) significantly reduced disability compensation legacy appeals inventory during the last nine months as part of the department’s long-term legacy resolution plan. This inventory includes Notices of Disagreement (NOD) and substantive appeals filed in the “legacy” system – the appeals process in place prior to implementation of the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA). VBA lowered this inventory from a high of 292,452 in March 2016, to 96,350 on Dec. 31, 2019, despite receiving 770,571 new NOD and substantive appeals during that period.

“Veterans who have been waiting for their decisions can trust that VA is working towards getting them the benefits and services they deserve,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Completing legacy Notices of Disagreement and substantive appeals will be an important step in meeting this obligation.” VBA is on track to eliminate its NOD and substantive appeals inventory by July 4. Information on the VA appeals process can be found at

https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/appeals.asp. [Source: VA News Release | January 21, 2020 ++]

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The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has implemented a pre-need eligibility program so that veterans, spouses and unmarried dependent adult children may better prepare for burial in a VA National Cemetery prior to the time of need. Interested individuals may submit VA Form 40-10007, Application for Pre-Need Determination of Eligibility for Burial in a VA national cemetery. The program details and the VA Form 40-10007 can be obtained here.  VA will review pre-need burial applications and provide written notice of a determination of eligibility. VA will store the pre-need application, supporting documentation, and the decision letter to expedite burial arrangements at the time of need.

https://www.usmcvta.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/va40-10007.pdf

VA Loan Refinancing Update 04:

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VA Loan Refinancing Update 04:

CARES Act Forbearance Effect on Eligibility In Loan Guaranty Circular 26-20-25, dated June 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) addresses the effect of a CARES Act forbearance, or some other COVID-19 credit relief, on the eligibility of a veteran for a VA purchase money or refinance loan. The guidance is effective immediately and applies to any loan closed on or after the date of the Circular, and will remain in place until further notice or when the Circular is rescinded. The VA advises that while lenders should continue to follow all applicable authorities regarding VA loans, the “VA is temporarily waiving certain regulatory and policy requirements in an effort to help Veterans and the private sector close essential housing loans.”

Purchase Money and Cash-Out Refinance Loans

The VA states that while lenders must continue to follow VA underwriting standards generally, “lenders should not use a CARES Act forbearance as a reason to deny a Veteran a VA-guaranteed loan.” However, when a Veteran has obtained a CARES Act forbearance, the Veteran, through the lender, must provide reasons for the loan deficiency and information to establish that the cause of the delinquency has been corrected. The VA will not consider a Veteran an unsatisfactory credit risk “based solely upon the fact that the Veteran received some type of credit forbearance or experienced some type of deferred payment during the COVID-19 national emergency.” The VA advises that while deferred payments may not be considered for credit risk purposes, the lender should consider the monthly obligation if the debt will remain active after the closing of the new VA loan.

Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL)

Although IRRRLs generally are not subject to standard VA underwriting requirements, if the loan being refinanced is more than 30 days past due, the Veteran must meet VA underwriting standards and the VA must provide prior approval for the IRRRL. The VA announces in the Circular that it will not require prior approval regardless of the delinquency status of the current loan if:

  • The VA has already approved the lender to close loans on an automatic basis;
  • The borrower has invoked a CARES Act forbearance relating to the loan being refinanced;
  • The borrower has provided information to establish that the borrower is no longer experiencing a financial hardship caused by COVID-19; and
  • The borrower qualifies for the IRRRL under specified VA credit standards (the standards set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 36.4340(c) through (j)).

When a borrower seeking an IRRRL has obtained a CARES Act forbearance on the loan being refinanced, for purposes of the maximum loan amount, the IRRRL may include the following:

  • Any past due installment payments, including those a borrower deferred under a CARES Act forbearance;
  • Allowable late charges, consistent with the note, the CARES Act, and all other applicable laws;
  • The cost of any energy efficiency improvements;
  • Allowable closing costs and discount points; and
  • The VA funding fee. With regard to the seasoning requirement for the current loan that applies when a Veteran is seeking an IRRRL, any periods of forbearance do not count toward the required seasoning. However, the mere fact that the current loan was subject to a CARES Act forbearance does not cause the loan to fail to meet the seasoning requirement. Pursuant to the Circular, a loan being refinanced is seasoned if both of the following conditions are met as of the date the borrower closes the refinance loan: 18 · The borrower has made at least six consecutive monthly payments on the loan being refinanced. For example, in a case where a borrower made five consecutive payments before invoking a CARES Act forbearance, such borrower would need to make six additional consecutive payments, post forbearance, in order to meet the seasoning requirement; and
  • The date of closing for the refinance loan is 210 or more days after the first payment due date of the loan being refinanced.

With regard to the consideration of a Veteran for an IRRRL and the imposition of fees on the Veteran, the VA makes the following statement: “VA encourages lenders to carefully consider whether an IRRRL is in the best financial interest of a Veteran. VA strongly supports and encourages the fee waivers that many lenders have adopted, including the waiver of origination fees, discount points, and premium pricing offsets, for Veterans affected by COVID-19.” [Source: JD Supra | Ballard Spah | July 4, 2020 ++]

Exercise Five Stretches to Do Everyday

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Exercise Five Stretches to Do Everyday

Every morning as you get out of bed or get off your desk in the evening, you know when you need a stretch. Now think of what this simple stretch does to your body. How it can loosen up your muscles, and you end up relieving the muscle stiffness in your neck and back that you experienced all day. Well, this is precisely what stretching can do to your body. It loosens up muscles, relieves tension, and improves joint mobility. These benefits are backed by research that also indicates that regular stretching can improve blood circulation. As a result, your muscles get more oxygen and nutrients to strengthen your muscles, improve body balance, and relieve stress.

On the other hand, if stretching is not a part of your daily routine, you are more prone to experiencing reduced joint mobility, affecting your body balance and risk of falls and injury as you age. So set up your morning alarm a few minutes earlier or skip the last part of your favorite late-night TV show and incorporate five easy and beneficial stretches in your daily routine. Performing these five stretches might only take a few minutes of your time during the day, but the results you get are bound to improve your overall health in the long run.

Toe Touch

Toe touch is an excellent stretch to get started. This simple stretch brings numerous benefits to your entire body, including arms, shoulders, back, and legs. All you have to do is to sit on the floor or stand upright. Then bend and reach out for your toes. Now hold the stretch for 10 seconds and return to your original position. Repeat this stretch a few times to loosen up your arm and leg muscles.

Downward Dog

This all-time favorite yoga pose is popular for good reasons. This stretch involves a wide range of muscles, including the back, hamstrings, arms, neck, and shoulders. It is an excellent stretch to improve blood circulation and get you started for the day. Even if you are not an expert yogi, you can do this simple stretch at home. Start with a plank position. Now push your legs forward and hips upwards to form a triangle. With your head between your arms, you will feel the blood flowing towards your upper body. Make sure your heels are tucked to the floor. Feel the stretch for good 10 seconds, move back to plank, and repeat downward dog stretch a few times.

Cat and Cow

Do you wake up with a stiff back? Then this stretch is for you. It boosts blood circulation, strengthens your back muscles, and enhances mobility. Get into the tabletop position (on your hands and knees) on an exercise mat. Your wrists should be in line with the shoulders and knees aligned with the hips. Now tuck in the pelvis, look down to the floor, and round your back. You should get an upward bend in your spine. Next, bend your spine inwards as you exhale. Look up with a full stretch in your neck. Repeat this pose a few times, and continue to inhale and exhale as you transition between cat and cow.

Spinal Twist

Want to strengthen the core and improve spine flexibility? Add a spinal twist to your daily stretching routine. Start by lying flat on your exercise mat and bend your knees such that the feet are flat on the floor. Then, with the upper body still, twist your left knee to the other side of the body in a way that you feel a stretch in your lower back. Hold the position and count till 10. Now repeat the position with your right knee. Complete 5-10 sets of spinal twists to get moving after a long night’s sleep.

Side Oblique Stretch

With this standing side oblique stretch, you get your hips and waist muscles working. Start by standing with feet shoulder-distance apart. Start by lifting your right arm overhead and your palm facing inward. Feel the stretch on your arm and side and bend towards the left side. Hold and count till 10, then switch sides.

[Source: https://aginghealthytoday.com | January 3, 2021 ++]

Prostate Cancer Update 18: Know Your Risk

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Prostate Cancer Update 18: Know Your Risk

Prostate cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer in the United States. One out of every nine men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. Unfortunately, there usually aren’t any early warning signs for prostate cancer. The growing tumor does not push against anything to cause pain, so for many years the disease may be silent. That’s why screening for prostate cancer is such an important topic for all men and their families. In rare cases, prostate cancer can cause symptoms. Contact your doctor for an evaluation if you experience any of the following: · A need to urinate frequently, especially at night, some- times urgently

  • Difficulty starting or holding back urination
  • Weak, dribbling, or interrupted flow of urine
  • Painful or burning urination
  • Difficulty in having an erection
  • A decrease in the amount of fluid ejaculated
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Blood in the urine or semen
  • Pressure or pain in the rectum
  • Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs

Remember: urinary symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Prostatitis or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, also known as enlargement of the prostate) are benign diseases but can cause similar symptoms and are very common. What about difficulty in having an erection? Again, this is most likely not caused by cancer but by other factors such as diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, or just plain getting older. That said: Symptoms are symptoms, and no matter what’s most likely to be causing them, you should get them checked out by a doctor. Refer to https://www.cancer.va.gov/CANCER/pcf.asp   for more info on screening, the PSA Test, Prostate Exams, VA and PCF Partnership Videos, and special information for Veterans

VA has teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to encourage men (and their families) to better understand prostate cancer risk and to take proactive measures to protect their health. 2021 will come with new ideas and goals, and there’s no better time to know your risk. Now is the time to make a plan to talk to your doctor at your next checkup about whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.

Gulf War Veteran Milton “Trey” Wilborn III, who lost his battle to an aggressive form of prostate cancer at the age of 49 in 2020, generously volunteered to share his story with other Veterans. Wilborn urged men to get checked, regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms or feel they are too young. “I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 45,” Wilborn said. “I never even knew what a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was. I didn’t know what a prostate was until I got sick … VA does take care of their Veterans. Their treatment is the best, you have all the newest, latest, greatest equipment and everything in all the treatments.”

VA partnered with PCF in 2016 to advance best-in-class research and care for Veterans at risk for prostate cancer. Oncologists at 12 VA PCF Centers of Excellence (COE’s) are collaborating to bring the latest breakthroughs to Veterans. To date, PCF has committed more than $50 million to this collaboration and recently publicly announced a commitment to help stand up 21 total COEs. So far, hundreds of 69 Veterans have been seen by a doctor for precision oncology at one of 12 COEs across the country. These centers are working to ensure every Veteran can access cutting-edge advances in prostate cancer research and treatment.

When PCF started working with the Washington DC VA Medical Center, Wilborn and his wife Shawni stepped up to work with PCF to champion prostate cancer awareness. You can read more about their touching story at https://www.pcf.org/c/love-story. Milton shared how the message of early detection, if it reached just one Veteran, could save lives. “God put me in a position to be able to tell my story,” he said, adding that he was grateful for the opportunity to help educate other men and their families.

Among those that VA and PCF hope to reach: African American men remain the hardest hit by prostate cancer. They are 79% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men, and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared to men of other ethnicities. Precision screening is the best defense for men against prostate cancer. Awareness of your risk and talking to your doctor about screening are the next steps every man can take in 2021. Learn more at https://www.pcf.org/vets . In addition, PCF has a variety of resources to help.

[Source: Vantage Point Blog | January 1, 2021 ++]