If you’re a veteran with colon cancer related to your military service, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits for colon cancer. Cases of colon cancer among veterans can sometimes be tied to exposure to burn pits or even radiation. In this article, we discuss VA disability for colon cancer being treated, how veterans can service connect the health condition, and VA ratings for any residual issues.
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In this article about VA disability for colon cancer being treated:
What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a growth of cells that starts in the longest part of the large intestine, called the colon. It usually begins as polyps in the colon’s inner lining. While many polyps are not cancerous, others can turn into cancer with time. Colon cancer accounts for about 10% of all cancer cases worldwide, colon cancer can happen to anyone at any age, though it primarily affects people over 50.
VA disability for colon cancer being treated
VA disability benefits for colon cancer are available to veterans who can prove their colon cancer is related to military service. Because cancer is often a life-altering disease with lifelong effects, the VA assigns a 100% disability rating to veterans with active, service-connected cancer, including colon cancer.
According to diagnostic code 7343, this total rating is temporary, but continues as long as your colon cancer is active and for six months following the completion of your treatment. In other words, you can receive 100% VA disability for colon cancer being treated and for an additional six months after any radiation, chemotherapy, or other treatment ends, as long as the VA agrees the condition is service connected.
After this period, the VA will reevaluate your condition. Below, we describe how these new ratings may be assigned.
VA disability for colon cancer residuals
Patients in remission from any type of cancer, including colon cancer, will likely deal with residual symptoms and long-term side effects. Once treatment has ended, the VA will take any residual health complications into consideration to assign a new rating.
Colon cancer residuals and long-term effects sometimes include:
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Bowel changes
- Urinary problems
- Hernia
Additionally, your treatment itself may have caused residual health issues. For example, chemotherapy can lead to multiple short and long term health complications like hearing loss, nerve damage, osteoporosis, heart problems, and more. If treatment for service-connected colon cancer causes new health problems, these residuals can also qualify for VA disability.
Any residual will be rated based on the specific diagnosis and symptoms present. For example, a veteran with residual urinary issues will be rated using an appropriate genitourinary diagnostic code.
Service connecting colon cancer
Due to exposure to chemicals, environmental toxins, and pollution during service, veterans are at a greater risk of developing certain cancers, including colon cancer.
Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers among veterans, with the VA diagnosing around 4,000 new cases of the disease in vets each year.
An important part of your disability claim is proving your colon cancer is related to your military service. Veterans can submit evidence including their DD214, medical records, and lay statements to support a claim for colon cancer.
Additionally, veterans who were exposed to burn pits and ionizing radiation during service may be eligible for a presumptive service connection. In presumptive cases, the VA acknowledges that certain disabilities are service connected if you can prove you served in a specific time and place. Below, we explain how and when colon cancer can be presumptive.
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Burn pits and colon cancer
Burn pits released a host of toxins into the air by burning materials like waste, petroleum, and chemicals. Today, the VA recognizes exposure to burn pits can cause several cancers and health conditions among veterans. This is why colon cancer is among the list of presumptive conditions for burn pit exposure, making it easier for eligible veterans with colon cancer to earn compensation.
To receive a presumptive service connection for colon cancer, veterans must have a colon cancer diagnosis and meet the time and place requirements for burn pit exposure.
Ionizing radiation and colon cancer
Some veterans were exposed to ionizing radiation during testing or cleanup activities in the military. They may have also served at a qualifying nuclear power plant.
Veterans who had contact with radiation during service, and later developed colon cancer, may be eligible for a presumptive service connection. If you’re a veteran who can prove you participated in a “radiation risk activities” listed here, the VA should presume your colon cancer is linked to military service.
Agent Orange and colon cancer
The VA does not formally recognize a link between Agent Orange and colon cancer. However, this does not necessarily mean a veteran cannot get VA disability for colon cancer being treated on the basis it was caused by Agent Orange exposure. They simply will not be awarded a presumptive service connection.
According to the World Health Organization, dioxin, a chemical known to be carcinogenic to humans, is found in Agent Orange. Colon cancer is not currently on the list of presumptive conditions for Agent Orange exposure, but with the proper medical evidence, veterans with colon cancer may still be able to make a case that Agent Orange caused their cancer.
How Woods & Woods can help
The VA-accredited attorneys at Woods &Woods have helped thousands of veterans nationwide get the disability benefits they deserve. Call us today for a free case evaluation. You won’t pay us a dime unless we win your case.
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Frequently asked questions
The VA assigns a 100% disability rating to veterans with colon cancer being treated. This 100% rating is temporary, but continues as long as your colon cancer is active, and for six months following the completion of your cancer treatment. After this six month period, the VA will reevaluate your condition and assign a new rating based on any residuals.
Dioxin, a chemical known to be carcinogenic, is found in Agent Orange. However, colon cancer is not currently on the list of presumptive conditions the VA formally recognizes as presumptive of Agent Orange exposure. With the proper medical evidence, veterans with colon cancer may still be able to make a case that Agent Orange caused their condition, but they will not benefit from a presumptive service connection.
Your colon cancer may be eligible for service connection as a result of treatment for your primary cancer site. We have seen cases where a veteran was service connected for prostate or bladder cancer from Agent Orange, received radiation, and went into remission. The veteran then developed colon cancer and received VA disability for it as a consequence of the radiation treatments.
Neil Woods
Neil Woods is a VA disability attorney and the owner and president of Woods & Woods. He received his law degree from Western Michigan University.
