CLL and US VA

[JimboW]

81 yrs old, Agent Orange Vet, diagnosed with CLL June 2019, just finished the 6 infusion of Gazyva. In June 2019 my WBC was in outer space, PLT were in the toilet, but oddly my HBG was in spec. The VA then rated me as 100% disabled but in 6 months from now will re evaluate using HGB as guide posts. This really confuses me?????

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi JimboW,

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I don't know much about navigating around the VA, and Agent Orange claims, but there is a volunteer Patient Educator at the CLL Society in Los Angeles that does advise veterans on dealing with the VA.

Contact Bruce Wright [e-mail]

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If you need his cell number, send me a Private Message

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Len

[JimboW in reply to lankisterguy]

Thx Len...I will contact Bruce...

[lankisterguy Volunteer in reply to JimboW]

Great JimboW,

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You can also look for the box on this page labeled

"Related Posts" (upper right column on computer screens or scroll way below on mobile devices.

Related Posts

*CLL Stage 0 and VA Disability

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healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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That posting from 2 years ago has lots of useful information in the replies.

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healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[WinJ3]

Hi Jimbo,

I am also a veteran that was exposed to toxic chemicals in the 1960 and 1970s. Now I am dealing with all kinds of strange skin conditions, kidney disease, depression. anemia and CLL.

It sound like after your treatment and if you are in remission and if your hemoglobin is Below 10 you will be rated for anemia. ("Don't quote" me on this, I am not an expert).

Department of Veterans Affairs § 4.117 - GPO.gov

7703 Leukemia: With active disease or during a treatment phase is 100 otherwise rate as "anemia" (code 7700)

Dealing with the VA is complicated and I would highly recommend for you to seek out free help from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO), DAV or American Legion .

Best wishes for you

Win

[Peggy206]

Jimbo, thank you for your service, sorry for all the men and woman who are dealing with all the side effects of Agent Orange, bad stuff.

[michaeledward]

I too am an "Agent Orange Vet" as a result of my service in Vietnam. Initially, the VA rated me as 100% disabled but did not classify my condition as "permanent". I then filed a submission with the VA with a statement from my hematologist stating that my CLL condition is incurable and that any permanent improvement in my condition is unlikely. Thereafter, the VA reclassified me as being "totally and permanently disabled due to [my] service-connected disabilities".

[JimboW in reply to michaeledward]

Thank you so much!! I have been going nuts trying to square the 6 months issue with my stage 4 CLL. I am seeing my Hematologist in two weeks and I will take your reply to him for his help. Thank you again fellow vet!!!

[michaeledward]

You are most welcome. Good luck!

[JimboW in reply to michaeledward]

Got a letter from QTC the VA contracted review company. I sent QTC a copy of the letter from my Oncologist saying I was stage 4 with spleen and lymph node involvement and yesterday I learned from my VFW rep that my disability has been extended 6 months. Haven't received the letter yet....but at least my case seems to be going in a better direction!

[JimboW]

Re the HGB issue with the VA my Oncologist told me Using HGB was “nuts”. He is pulling all of my records and will provide to me an appropriate letter to give to the VA..... we shall see....thx again for your help!

[noeagaman in reply to JimboW]

Good luck Jimbo! I have been going back and forth with the VA trying to get from 90% to 100% for years now. They deny everything that I throw at them.

Chris