Husband who is retired CW4 Officer that piloted rotor and fixed wing aircraft for the Army. He is 57 and was diagnosed last month with multiple myeloma stage 3 after a blood test showed he was anemic and spilling protein in his urine. Had been catching URI's quite frequently and for 1st time in 10 years had to utilize sick days with his civilian job.
We have Tricare that has been wonderful so far with all of this so have not thought of the VA until reading up and seeing some of the comments here, particularly the one on benzene. He did quite a few hot refuels and was straddling a radiation machine in the OV1D Mohawk for several years. He was in during the Gulf War, but was in California testing out a new aircraft for the ARMY. He was on his way over when the war ended so he landed in Germany then.
The last few months have been a whirlwind. We go for our stem cell consult over in Tampa 2 weeks from today.
Anyone else around aviation and benzene with the military diagnosed with this type of cancer or any cancer for that fact?
Forums
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DaleJC28117 - Name: Dale
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma
My husband was diagnosed with Stage III multiple myeloma in December of 2006 and passed away 1 month after diagnosis. He was an ADA officer and deployed twice during the first Gulf War. Ironically, he was being assessed by the VA for disability after his December 2005 retirement. I can remember he had numerous exams and tests completed for about 11 months.
Several major ailments were missed during the VA process that a civilian physician caught in the emergency room.
1. Kidney failure (no high blood pressure or diabetes)
2. Numerous fractures throughout the skeletal system (no accidents or injuries)
3. Tumors on the lungs and extremely close to the spinal cord (non smoker)
LTC Brown died 14 January 2007. His VA claim arrived 17 January 2007. It read "you have been rated 60% compensably disabled. However, since the veteran passed away prior to our decision the retroactive entitlement is not authorized. The veteran would have receive $1,738.00 per month retroactive to February 2006. Since the initial payment was not issued prior to veterans death no payment is authorized."
I applied for DIC, attaching only his death certificate, no supporting medical documents, and was approved. DIC was approved based on his time served in the Gulf War.
I find it disgraceful that a veteran with sleep apnea and high blood pressure has an easier time getting his claim approved than a guy with bone marrow cancer.
Before my husband died he was also diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia. Be informed, veterans. Ask for congressional assistance; it really helps. Don't wear yourself out with paperwork. Allow our well-paid elected officials to assist you. You have a a tougher fight ahead of you than the entitlements you are absolutely due.
Praying for you ALL.
Several major ailments were missed during the VA process that a civilian physician caught in the emergency room.
1. Kidney failure (no high blood pressure or diabetes)
2. Numerous fractures throughout the skeletal system (no accidents or injuries)
3. Tumors on the lungs and extremely close to the spinal cord (non smoker)
LTC Brown died 14 January 2007. His VA claim arrived 17 January 2007. It read "you have been rated 60% compensably disabled. However, since the veteran passed away prior to our decision the retroactive entitlement is not authorized. The veteran would have receive $1,738.00 per month retroactive to February 2006. Since the initial payment was not issued prior to veterans death no payment is authorized."
I applied for DIC, attaching only his death certificate, no supporting medical documents, and was approved. DIC was approved based on his time served in the Gulf War.
I find it disgraceful that a veteran with sleep apnea and high blood pressure has an easier time getting his claim approved than a guy with bone marrow cancer.
Before my husband died he was also diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia. Be informed, veterans. Ask for congressional assistance; it really helps. Don't wear yourself out with paperwork. Allow our well-paid elected officials to assist you. You have a a tougher fight ahead of you than the entitlements you are absolutely due.
Praying for you ALL.
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DeliaBrown
Re: Veterans and multiple myeloma
I was just diagnosed with multiple myeloma myself, and served in Desert Storm, Iraq OIF 2, and Afghanistan 2012. It was recorded in my USMC service record book that I was exposed to the oil fire smoke during Desert Storm. I will definitely push to see if this is linked.
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Brian19711206
13 posts
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