If you’re a veteran who’s been diagnosed with prostate cancer, chances are your first question (after “Am I going to be okay?”) is: “Can I get VA disability for this?”
The good news is that yes, prostate cancer can be service-connected, especially if you served in Vietnam or other areas where exposure to Agent Orange is presumed. But the rating process can get complicated, especially if you’ve had your prostate removed or your cancer goes into remission. Let’s break it down step by step.
How the VA Rates Active Prostate Cancer
When your prostate cancer is active—meaning you’re still undergoing treatment like radiation, hormone therapy, or surgery—the VA rates your condition at 100%. This temporary 100% rating reflects the seriousness of the disease and the toll of cancer treatment on your daily life.
But that rating isn’t guaranteed to stay that way forever.
What Happens If Your Prostate Is Removed?
If your prostate has been surgically removed (a procedure called a prostatectomy), the VA no longer considers your cancer “active.” That doesn’t mean you lose your service connection or your rating entirely—it just means the VA will reevaluate your disability to reflect the “residuals” of your cancer.
Residuals are the lasting effects after treatment. After a prostatectomy, common residuals might include:
- Urinary incontinence (needing pads or catheters)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Chronic urinary tract infections
- Voiding dysfunction
The VA doesn’t rate “prostate cancer” anymore once it’s in remission or after your prostate is removed—they rate the leftovers.
VA Ratings for Prostate Cancer Residuals
Here’s how the VA breaks down ratings based on common residuals:
-
Urinary Incontinence / Voiding Dysfunction
- 20%: Requires wearing absorbent materials that must be changed less than twice a day
- 40%: Requires absorbent materials changed 2–4 times a day
- 60%: Requires absorbent materials more than 4 times a day or use of an appliance (like a catheter)
-
Erectile Dysfunction
- Typically rated at 0% (yes, really), but you may qualify for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC-K) for loss of use of a creative organ, a small additional amount added to your compensation.
-
Urinary Frequency
- 10%: More than 2 hours between voiding
- 20%: Between 1–2 hours
- 40%: Less than 1 hour
So, even if your cancer is gone, you could still have a combined rating based on these after-effects. But here’s the key: you must document them well.
Why Would the VA Request a C&P Exam If Your Cancer Is Active?
A lot of veterans are confused (and sometimes frustrated) when the VA schedules a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam even though their cancer is active. Why not just approve the 100%?
Here’s why: The VA still needs to verify the diagnosis and current treatment status.
The C&P exam isn’t there to question your diagnosis—it’s to:
- Confirm that your prostate cancer is indeed active
- Review the medical evidence and stage of the disease
- Ensure there’s a clear service connection (like Agent Orange exposure)
- Set a baseline for future reevaluations
Even if your cancer is active, that C&P exam gives the VA the documentation it needs to grant your 100% rating and determine when they’ll schedule a future review.
What Happens When the Cancer Goes Into Remission?
Once your treatment ends and there’s no local recurrence or metastasis, the VA will schedule a follow-up examination six months later. That’s when your temporary 100% rating could be reduced based on residuals.
Don’t panic, you won’t automatically lose everything. If you still have serious symptoms from treatment, you can still be rated (and compensated) accordingly.
But you do need to be proactive:
- Show up for all exams
- Keep your medical records updated
- Report all symptoms honestly, even the ones you’d rather not talk about
You Deserve to Be Compensated Fully
Service-connected prostate cancer isn’t just about the cancer—it’s about what the disease and its treatment leave behind. Whether it’s incontinence, ED, or the emotional impact of dealing with cancer, your experience matters—and the VA should recognize that.
If you’re unsure how to document your symptoms or appeal a low rating, don’t go it alone. The VA team at Parmele Disability Advocates can help you file the strongest case possible and guide you through the appeals process.
You fought hard in service. You shouldn’t have to fight harder for the benefits you’ve earned. Parmele Disability Advocates – Veteran Affairs. Remember. Honor. Support.