Published May 26, 2026

Former Marine Encourages Other Veterans To Take Advantage Of VA Resources: ‘Don’t Be Afraid’

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Resources for Veterans

Marine Corps veteran Walter Lohden is cancer-free after battling both head and neck cancer and prostate cancer. He says the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System helped save his life.
Lohden hopes his story will encourage other veterans to utilize VA resources.
For Veterans facing prostate cancer, SurvivorNet offers a guide which can be accessed here.
Veterans can obtain free help by filing for health care and disability benefits from “accredited representatives, also known as service officers, according to the VA. Representatives can also be obtained through veterans service organizations (VSOs). These types of organizations include: Amvets, Disabled American Veterans, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Vietnam Veterans of America

Marine Corps veteran Walter Lohden is cancer free after battling both head and neck cancer and prostate cancer—thanks to the help of the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System (OKCVAHCS), which he says played a critical role in his recovery.

Navigating the Path Forward: A Guide for Veterans Facing Prostate Cancer

Sharing his story with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ VA News, Lohden, who was in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968, and served until 1972, is hoping to encourage other veterans to take advantage of VA resources.

“Don’t be afraid to go to VA,” he tells VA News. “I mean, no matter what you heard. Just do it, just do it and don’t worry about it.”

Lohden, who served as a gunner and worked on spotter planes, was diagnosed with two different types of cancer after his time in the Marines and decided on getting help from the VA because “they’ve done so much for Veterans and understand Veterans.”

Check out SurvivorNet’s “Men Beating The Odds,” an inspiring 12-part documentary series highlighting real-life journeys of men challenged and thriving after a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer.

Lohden was treated by the same team while he battled head and neck cancer, prostate cancer, and arthritis.

Looking back on how he combatted head and neck cancer first, with 35 sessions of radiation therapy, along with chemotherapy, Lohden recounted, “It was rough, but that was the nicest group of people that was back there in the radiation that I ever seen.

“They took care of me. They’d get me laid down, and they’d get me comfortable, and they put my mask on me.”

He was diagnosed with head and neck cancer in September 2022, later finishing up his treatment in January 2023.

Then, in July 2024, he returned to the VA to battle prostate cancer.

“They found it when they were looking for the other, fixing the other cancer in my throat and everything. They found it by accident,” said Lohden, who finished 28 radiation therapy sessions against prostate cancer by September 2024.

He later underwent therapy using radiation to help minimize knee pain and swelling caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.

Lohden, who is overjoyed to be “cured” but acknowledges he’ll need to check for cancer recurrence, added, “I know I’ve got so many years to go, to make sure they check it out again, but they got me.”

He also credits the OKCVAHCS for hiring such wonderful staffers, who appreciated his constant sense of humor and playful jokes.

Anyone interested in applying for benefits can visit VA.gov or call 1-800-MYVA411.

VA Precision Oncology Program (POP): Improving Cancer Outcomes for Veterans

Resources For Veterans With Cancer

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers various tools to assist veterans and their families with all-things health related.

Some of these resources consist of resources for disability benefits. military exposure, and health exams.

With regard to disability benefits, the VA explains, “VA disability compensation (pay) offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse.

“You may qualify for VA disability benefits for physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD) that developed before, during, or after service. Find out how to apply for and manage the Veterans disability benefits you’ve earned.”

As for assistance with military exposure, as “veterans may have been exposed to a range of chemical, physical, and environmental hazards during military service,” the VA offers information on potential exposures that may be linked to a variety of health problems, including different types of cancer.

Free health evaluations are also offered to eligible veterans who may have been exposed to the following:

Chemicals (including Agent Orange and contaminated water)
Radiation (from nuclear weapons and X-rays, etc. )
Air Pollutants (such as burn pit smoke or dust)
Occupational Hazards (for example: asbesto or lead)
Warfare Agents (chemical and biological weapons)

The VA explains on its website, “VA’s health registry evaluation is a free, voluntary medical assessment for Veterans who may have been exposed to certain environmental hazards during military service.

“The evaluations alert Veterans to possible long-term health problems that may be related to exposure to specific environmental hazards during their military service. VA has established several health registries to track and monitor the health of specific groups of Veterans. The registry data helps VA understand and respond to these health problems more effectively.”

Veterans may be eligible to take part in one ore more of the following health registries:

Additionally, the VA explains that approximately 50,000 cases of cancer are reported annually in the VA Central Cancer Registry.

“In 2010, the three most frequently diagnosed cancers in the VA health care system were prostate, lung/bronchus, and colon/rectum cancer according to a 2017 study. This list is similar to cancers observed in American men,” the VA’s website states. “In 2021, bladder cancer was added to the list of presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure, joining chronic B-cell leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers (including lung cancer), and some soft tissue sarcomas.”

“VA’s National TeleOncology Program provides cancer care virtually, connecting patients and providers across great distances. The program delivers cancer screenings, diagnoses, and treatment for Veterans through telemedicine technology,” the VA adds.

Additionally, veterans can obtain free help by filing for health care and disability benefits from “accredited representatives, also known as service officers.

Representatives can also be obtained through veterans service organizations (VSOs). These types of organizations include:

WATCH: Helping Veterans With Their Mental Health.

Clinical Research at the VA

Meanwhile, the VA also offers clinical research, which involves studying new treatments, drugs, and therapies in clinical settings like hospitals, clinics, or doctor’s offices, to determine their safety and effectiveness.

Doing research in a clinical setting plays a crucial role by directly enhancing patient care. The VA uses what they find from these studies to advance treatments for veterans. Key areas of their clinical research include:

PTSD and Mental Health: The VA is always trying to improve the mental health of veterans. Studies in this area focus on making treatment more effective including psychotherapy, medication, and approaches that combine traditional and alternative medicine.
Chronic Pain Management: Many veterans live with chronic pain. The VA actively researches alternative pain management techniques beyond traditional methods. The goal is to reduce opioid use and develop effective, holistic treatments like acupuncture, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cardiovascular Health: Another vital area of clinical research is cardiovascular health, particularly for veterans with a history of heart conditions. The VA conducts studies on heart disease prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. This includes research on new medications, lifestyle interventions, and advanced surgical techniques.

“Very often, clinical trials include the standard treatments plus something else, and that gives you access to new treatments that you wouldn’t be able to access had you not entered a clinical trial.” Dr. Mattew Rettig told SurvivorNet.

Veterans eligible for these clinical trials contribute to the advancement of medical science. For the most current information on VA clinical trials and enrollment opportunities, veterans are encouraged to visit the VA’s clinical trials page.

What additional research programs and services does the VA offer?

The VA’s commitment to veteran care extends beyond clinical trials and laboratory research to include additional research programs and services designed to meet the unique needs of veterans.

These additional research areas highlight the VA’s commitment to addressing the full spectrum of veteran health and well-being. Other areas of research include:

Telehealth and Remote Care Services: The VA’s telehealth initiatives are a key area of ongoing research and development. They provide remote consultations through a computer or smartphone to allow veterans to talk to healthcare providers from anywhere. The program has done a lot to increase access to medical services and improve quality of care.
Geriatric and Aging Research: As the veteran population ages, they face unique healthcare challenges. The VA is focusing on geriatric research — the care and treatment of older adults — to understand age-related conditions and improve long-term approaches for veterans in their golden years.
Rehabilitation and Recovery Research: At the VA, rehabilitation research goes beyond physical recovery to include psychological and emotional healing. The agency is actively exploring new methods and technologies to improve recovery outcomes for veterans with diverse injuries and health issues.