🎖️ VALOR

Living With Purpose: Noah Galloway’s Journey of Recovery

Noah Galloway grew up just outside Birmingham, AL. He was a natural athlete, into football, track, and anything that pushed him physically. Like many young men, he wasn't exactly sure what direction life would take him. But after 9/11, that changed. He felt the same pull as many others and enlisted in the Army.  

He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division as an infantryman and deployed to Iraq twice. Just three months into his second tour of duty, his Humvee hit a roadside IED near Yusafiah. The explosion took his left arm above the elbow and his left leg above the knee. 

He spent nearly a week unconscious, then woke up at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD, with a body that no longer felt like his own and no clear idea what came next. The physical recovery was one thing.  

The mental toll was something else entirely. For a while, Galloway shut down. He pulled away from friends and family, battled depression, and went through the kind of identity crisis that a lot of wounded veterans know but don't always talk about.  

It wasn't fast or easy, but he eventually found his way back through fitness. Moving his body, setting goals, and learning to adapt became his way forward. By 2014, he had caught national attention when Men's Health put him on the cover as their "Ultimate Guy," the first double amputee to earn that title.  

A year later, he was on Dancing with the Stars, competing in the finals. To him, it wasn't about fame. It was about showing that recovery didn't mean returning to who you were before. It could mean becoming someone new.    

Off camera, Galloway has stayed focused on the same mission. He started the No Excuses Charitable Fund to support military and first responder nonprofits. Today, he continues to speak openly about mental health, physical recovery, and the work it takes, day after day, to live with purpose after trauma.    

Galloway's story is earnest, and that's exactly what makes it matter. He's honest about the lows, committed to the work of moving forward, and determined to make sure other veterans know they don't have to figure it out alone. 

To this day, Galloway says that he continues to “train like a machine”. It’s a reminder that for many, recovery is an ongoing process, not an end point.

Honor veterans like Noah Galloway and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

How the VA Rates Prostate Cancer and Residual Symptoms

Prostate cancer can qualify veterans for a temporary 100% VA disability rating during active treatment. Once treatment ends, the VA re-evaluates residual symptoms to assign a new disability rating. For severe residuals such as urinary incontinence, veterans may qualify for the maximum 60% rating under voiding dysfunction. 

Who Qualifies for a 60% Rating? 

• Veterans with urinary incontinence require absorbent pad changes four or more times daily. 

• Veterans who require a catheter or appliance to manage urinary dysfunction. 

• Veterans with prostate cancer that is in remission but has left behind severe urinary residuals behind. 

What Happens After the Temporary 100% Rating? 

• Six months after the end of treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation), VA schedules a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. 

• The exam focuses on residual symptoms, such as voiding or renal dysfunction. 

• Ratings are then adjusted based on severity (up to 60% for the most severe residuals). 

How to Strengthen Your Claim 

• Provide medical records documenting urinary frequency, pad use, or catheter reliance. 

• Submit doctor’s statements confirming the severity of residuals. 

• Appeal if VA assigns a rating lower than justified. Additional medical evidence or a second opinion can help support your case. 

Service Connection and Presumptives 

• Veterans exposed to toxins such as Agent Orange or burn pits may already qualify under presumptive service connection rules. 

• Establishing service connection is the first step before pursuing a residual rating. 

Support and Resources 

• Hill & Ponton Legal Team: Free case evaluations for veterans seeking accurate ratings. 

• Educational Content: Additional resources on voiding dysfunction and residual ratings. 

• VA Appeals Process: Veterans may challenge low ratings through supplemental claims or higher-level reviews. 

Making Sure Residuals Are Recognized 

Securing the right VA disability rating for prostate cancer often comes down to how well residual symptoms are documented and presented. With the proper evidence and support, veterans can ensure their benefits reflect the actual impact of their condition.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

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Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?

Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.

If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

VA Prostate Cancer Ratings: Insights from an Attorney

In this video, Hill & Ponton attorney Rachel Cheek explains how VA rates prostate cancer and other genitourinary cancers for disability benefits. Veterans automatically receive a 100% rating while the cancer is active and they are undergoing treatment. Six months after treatment ends, VA must re-evaluate through a C&P exam.  

If the cancer is in remission, the rating is reduced and based on residual symptoms, primarily voiding dysfunction (urinary issues) or renal dysfunction (kidney problems). VA assigns the rating according to whichever condition causes the greater impairment. 

Attorney Cheek stresses that proposed rating reductions after remission are procedural, not punitive, and veterans should not panic. Instead, they should understand and document their residual symptoms to advocate for a fair post-cancer rating. She also notes that further resources will be available on issues like voiding dysfunction. 

“Often, VA’s proposed rating after remission is comically low. They might try to drop you from 100% to 20% when your symptoms really justify something closer to 60%. Don’t panic when you get that letter; it’s standard procedure. What matters is knowing what your rating should be and making sure your symptoms are clearly documented,” she explains. 

In short, VA’s system is designed to ensure full support during active treatment, then recalibrate benefits based on lasting functional impairments. This makes it essential for veterans to document their symptoms and advocate for themselves during re-evaluation. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!