“Pending Nomination of David J. Shulkin, M.D., Nominee to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs”
Tomorrow on C-SPAN
Will Air: Feb 01, 2017 | 2:30 pm EST | C-SPAN.org
“Isakson Meets with VA Secretary Nominee Dr. David Shulkin Discuss shared priorities, needed reforms for the VA Tuesday, January 24, 2017 Click image for info.. Image: Senate
Update 2/7/17 from Military.com (Link):
“Members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee gathered for a fast vote off the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon. They voted 14-0 to approve Shulkin’s nomination, with no dissent.”
A fait accompli?
Update 2/15/17. Dr. David Shulkin was sworn in by Vice-President Pence on February 14 as the new Veterans Affairs Secretary. He has a new Twitter account (link) with a nice 3-part tweet which I believe is sincere. Have high hopes that he’ll be a fearless truth-seeker, able to manage the myriad tasks that will be thrown at him with wisdom, compassion and practicality.
asknod
brewerkelli
cspencer02
jamesaurora
kcraveiro
Laura
Veterans Claims Help 
What is the percentage (0 to 100%) of disability compensation for one of the eight conditions that are a result of exposure to Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water? In my case, I am already documented by the VA, meaning they have all of my Medical History documentation. I have Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Simply put, what percentage of disability will can I expect to receive.
I believe I am one of the 1400 former Marines under immediate review. I read where the final word on this matter will be March 14, 2017. Again, has the percentage of disability been determined.
Jack: I’ll forward this to Alex, the ASKNOD publisher, and an authorized claims agent for some advice.
N-H Lymphoma is rated under § 4.117 Schedule of ratings – hemic and lymphatic systems Diagnostic code is 7715
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma:
With active disease or during a treatment phase 100%
Note: The 100 percent rating shall continue beyond the cessation of any surgical, radiation, antineoplastic chemotherapy or other therapeutic procedures. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of § 3.105(e) of this chapter. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residuals.
asknod, am I to assume correctly from your informational response to my questions that I and all others with one of the eight diseases will begin receiving 100% disability for the remainder of our lives? My disease, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, is a non-curable disease, therefore, I will have NHL for the rest of my life. My disease went into remission after my radiation treatment, however, as stated, NHL is not curable. It is my understanding that the on the date of March 14, 2017, the VA will take action on this matter and will commence toward paying the 100% dollar amount rating of disability, what ever that amount is, is that true? I am a bit confused, or i could possibly be reading more into the information you have provided.
If I may ask an additional question, which is, how will those of use that are reviewed and approved for disability compensation going to be notified? Will the VA notify me sometime after March 14, 2017, and additionally, will the VA pay retroactive compensation from the time I applied for compensation to the present?
Thank you for your help in this matter,
Jack
No, sir. You will not be rated 100% for your N-H lymphoma forever. As the above rating fairly clearly describes, you would get 100% for six months from the last day of any chemical treatment for the disease and then be rated a lesser percentage based on any of the residuals. If you had already gone through treatment before you filed, you would not be eligible for the 100% rating unless it coincided within six months of the described radiation or antineoplastic therapy.Your effective date will always be the day you filed the claim so any moneys due would be from that date forward. If you wish to contact me re the residuals and what those ratings might be, my email is asknod@gmail.com. I can look them up for you. You would need a letter from the doctor treating you regarding the interrelationship of the residual(s) to the N-H Lymphoma and their degree of severity as well.
asknod,
Once again thank you.
One quick question, in this whole equation of 100% for life, is their a difference between, ”curable disease”, and ”incurable disease?” The reason I ask is, as stated, I have ”Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” which is NOT curable, which is different from ”Hodgkin’s Lymphoma”, which is curable. Is the difference between the two Hodgkin’s diseases differentiated and recognized as different by the Doctors who grant temporary disability benefits compensation versus lifetime disability benefits, or are all cancers treated the same? In short, I have Cancer for life which treated can go into remission but is not curable, versus treatable with a cure. Common sense seems to say to me, there should be a recognized difference between the two kinds of cancers.
Just a few minutes ago I sent a like question via email to you at, asknod@gmail.com.
Again, much thanks.
Sincerely,
Jack J. Sweitzer
Kiedove, thank you for your help in this matter. Jack
Hope he does something with appeals hamster wheel. Here’s your CSPAN link: https://www.c-span.org/video/?422806-1/veterans-affairs-secretary-nominee-david-shulkin-testifies-confirmation-hearing
Ask Tried various spellings on e-mail addy. keeps bouncing.
asknod@gmail.com
When will we get the new VA where vets get to choose where we want out care? That was a promise from Trump. Let’s see if he lives up to that promise.
More of the same? TBD…..but let’s not kid ourselves. It’ll be a very predictable outcome if adequate resources aren’t provided regardless of who becomes the head honcho.
I’m hoping that with 20 years as a hospital administrator, he’ll cut waste, and as a doctor, he won’t tolerate quacks and worse. My guess is that he’ll get a lot of questions on privatization and choice improvements. No cable TV needed–watch online.
I agree with both of you. I personally would like to see the VA emptied out of foreign doctors who have not become ECFMG certified as most have not. I have had three different bad experiences with them. Two were from Pakistan and one from India. Most have very bad attitudes and do not want to adequately treat the veteran. Oh, by the way, one doctor from Bombay India wanted to put a steel rod up my knee in back to treat my knee pain. The Doctor at Brooks Army Medical Center asked: And I quote:
“Who was that damn fool that wanted to put a steel rod in your leg?”