VA Disability Rating for Prostate Cancer
A prostate cancer diagnosis changes everything. Between doctor appointments, treatment decisions, and worrying about your future, the last thing you need is to struggle with getting the VA benefits you deserve. Many veterans don’t realize that prostate cancer has strong connections to military service, particularly for those exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic substances.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about getting proper compensation for service-connected prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer in Veterans
Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate gland grow out of control. Your prostate, a small gland below your bladder, plays a crucial role in male reproductive health. While some prostate cancers grow slowly, others can be aggressive and spread quickly.
Common Symptoms
You might experience:
- Difficulty urinating or weak urine flow
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in your hips, back, or chest
- Numbness or weakness in legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
How the VA Rates Prostate Cancer
The VA’s rating system for prostate cancer works in two phases:
Active Cancer Phase
- Automatic 100% rating while cancer is active
- Continues through active treatment
- Extends for 6 months after treatment ends
Post-Treatment Phase
After the 6-month period, the VA rates you based on your remaining symptoms (residuals):
Urinary Frequency:
- 40% – Voiding less than once per hour or 5+ times per night
- 20% – Voiding every 1-2 hours or 3-4 times per night
- 10% – Voiding every 2-3 hours or 2 times per night
Urinary Incontinence:
- 60% – Changing absorbent materials 4+ times daily
- 40% – Changing materials 2-4 times daily
- 20% – Changing materials less than 2 times daily
Erectile Dysfunction:
- Usually rated at 0% but qualifies for Special Monthly Compensation
- Additional $111.74 monthly for loss of use of a creative organ
Service Connection Pathways
VA recognizes two main ways veterans can connect their prostate cancer to service:
Presumptive Service Connection
VA automatically assumes your prostate cancer is service-connected if you served in:
Burn Pit Exposure Locations:
- Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
- Afghanistan, Djibouti
- Syria, Jordan, UAE
- Lebanon (after August 2, 1990)
- Any location with burn pit use
Agent Orange Exposure Locations:
- Vietnam (1962-1975)
- Thailand (1962-1976)
- Korean DMZ (1967-1971)
- Laos (1965-1969)
- Specific areas of Cambodia (1969)
- Guam or American Samoa (1962-1980)
- Johnston Atoll (1972-1977)
Direct Service Connection
If you don’t qualify for presumptive service connection, you can still prove your cancer is service-connected through:
- Exposure to other military toxins
- Other service-related causes
- Medical evidence linking cancer to service
Make sure VA knows about all your service locations and exposures. Even if you don’t qualify for presumptive service connection, you may still be able to prove your cancer is connected to service.
Building Your Strongest VA Claim for Prostate Cancer
A prostate cancer diagnosis changes everything. Getting the right VA rating depends on having clear medical evidence that shows both your cancer treatment and how it affects your daily life. Here’s exactly what you need to document your condition:
Essential Medical Evidence
Gather:
- Initial diagnosis documentation
- Treatment records
- Surgical reports
- Ongoing PSA test results
- Imaging studies
- Current symptoms documentation
Impact Evidence
Document how cancer affects:
- Daily activities
- Work ability
- Quality of life
- Relationships
- Mental health
Strong documentation is crucial for showing VA the full impact of your prostate cancer and its treatment. Keep all your medical records, test results, and treatment notes. Also track how your condition affects your daily life – the more thoroughly you can show both your medical situation and its effects on your life, the better VA can understand your disability.
Need Help With Your VA Prostate Cancer Decision?
If you’ve received a VA decision about your prostate cancer that you disagree with, you need experienced help. Consider getting legal assistance if:
- VA denied your prostate cancer claim
- You got a lower rating than you deserve
- Your cancer has returned after treatment
- VA didn’t consider all your connected conditions
- You need help proving burn pit or Agent Orange exposure
Getting the right rating for prostate cancer can be tricky. VA’s rating system is complex, especially when dealing with cancer treatment and residuals. If you’re unhappy with VA’s decision about your prostate cancer, contact us for a free review of your case. Our team focuses exclusively on appeals and knows what it takes to win prostate cancer cases.
