Advice: Letter from Physician ( Camp Lejeune)

[DeanNelson]

Me again...

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune for approximately 9 months between 1982-1986. I had no idea about camp Lejeune until last week; I learned there was a major problem with the water being contaminated. My son is from IVF, as my sperm had no motility. Two of the men in my unit have already died, one from bladder cancer and the other from prostate cancer.

The reason for my writing is that my VSO (veterans service officer) is asking for a letter from my oncologist stating that my cancer is non-curable\terminal; he stated he knows this sounds morbid but it would help me get expedited compensation, which includes health care and a small monthly payment that my wife would get after my death.

Has anyone ever heard of asking a physician for this kind of letter?... I am kind of hesitant because I don't want him to think I am getting him involved in anything...

Any advice?

[Dan59]

Once Pc has metastisized it is incurable. We may control it for a long time however. If they are asking for that, Those must be the guidlines for getting disability insurance, I would do what they say to get the expedited compensation that you are due and also benefits for your wife. I am sure the Dr. will understand the need, and it will be no problem to get what is due to you. I asked my Dr. for the same letter, no problem. Thank you for your service!

[spikezoey in reply to Dan59]

Yes, I think this is a normal request that doctors are aware of, and you should get it if you have incurable PCa. My husband's is incurable as well (stage IV with bone mets) and when I filed for FMLA (Federal Medical Leave Act) at work to be able to take off time as needed to go on appointments, the form that was filled out by the doctor's office included the information that it was incurable. So I think it's a normal thing for an oncologist to fill out.

I'm so sorry though about all the stuff with Camp Lejeune. I live in NC and it's heartbreaking.

[DeanNelson in reply to spikezoey]

Thank you, I had no idea.

I have been so sick and cannot afford/get insurance anymore. So I went to the VA ..and I was filling out a questionnaire. When I put a "?" by the question that asked if I ever served at camp lejuene, the people there looked shocked like I should have known about it...

[DeanNelson in reply to spikezoey]

I have stage 4 mets to bladder and spine so I think that qualifies me

[spikezoey in reply to DeanNelson]

Yeah, sadly you are part of the same club! Hugs to you.

[ctarleton]

Here is more related information concerning claims for exposures at Camp Lejeune.

publichealth.va.gov/exposur...

Charles

[Lombardi24]

It's completely legitimate to ask your onc for a letter verifying the condition of your health and the severity of your cancer.

[Litlerny]

Dean, by all means get him involved, and don’t hesitate to get that letter. You are Stage 4, like most of the rest of us in here, and you should go for anything and everything for which you qualify. Are you getting your Social Security Disability yet? Medicare? Go for whatever you can get from the VA, especially if you are running out of other insurance options. File either an individual suit or get in on a class action suit to get any compensation you can (there are a lot of Google hits on that). If you don’t file, you will get nothing, so you have nothing to lose. Also, by filing now you are protecting not only your rights, but also those of your wife and son who might be entitled to auxiliary and (whenever down the road the time comes...hopefully a long time from now) survivor benefits. Go for it! You’re a good man and I wish you well.

Mark

[DeanNelson in reply to Litlerny]

Thank you

[Lynsi13]

I have no answers for your questions but I just wanted to say thank you for your service! ❤️

[Hidden]

What the VA claims rating Veterans Service Representative, (person who decides your claim) wants to see are the following words, "Treatment is strictly palliative, not potentially curative".

If your going to the VA for treatment, everything you need is in your medical records accessible online through the blue button on myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-...

Camp Lejeune claims info

benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATIO...

[j-o-h-n]

to: DeanNelson, Semper Fi

I don't shive a git what some people say, but "CANCER is a non-curable\terminal disease". If you "Got It" and live long enough and don't die from eating those poison mushrooms that your wife has been feeding you... the BIG C is gonna get you. Fcuk those dirty low down little bastards playing hide and seek inside our bodies.... So don't be hesitant and get that letter asap. Thank You (and Me) for your service. My wife use to thank me for my services but those days are long gone, sigh.

Good Luck and Good Health.

j-o-h-n Friday 08/31/2018 7:02 PM EDT

[thevvy in reply to j-o-h-n]

Well said j-o-h-n!!

[Doctorsceptic]

Yes you should do it.