Are they sure they want to do this? VA wants all veterans exposed to Agent Orange to apply for benefits

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:14:23 -0400

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The first U.S. combat troops arrived in Vietnam in March of 1965.

More than 58,000 Americans died in the Vietnam conflict. Many who survived are fighting diseases the U.S. government now recognizes were caused by a very powerful toxic chemical used in the jungle war zone.

Since 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs has recognized a list of diseases, cancers and illnesses caused by the chemical Agent Orange. The VA is now making a renewed push to ensure everyone knows about the benefits available to veterans sickened by Agent Orange.

A variety of illnesses are on the list, including, but not limited to: Type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, respiratory cancers, chronic B-cell leukemia, Hodgkin’s diseases, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease and Ischemic heart disease.

Many Vietnam veterans aren’t aware of the Agent Orange presumptive diseases. Furthermore, some veterans choose not to go to the VA for their treatment or some veterans have never thought to apply. Yet other veterans aren’t sure how to apply.

Claiming a disability from exposure to Agent Orange is an expedited claims process since the illnesses are “presumed” to be connected to Agent Orange exposure, meaning Vietnam veterans don’t have to prove an association between their medical problems and their military service as it relates to exposure to Agent Orange.

Any veteran or family member who might fit any of these categories should call the Rowan County Veteran Service Office at [login to see] .

http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/08/24/va-wants-all-veterans-exposed-to-agent-orange-to-apply-for-benefits/

VA wants all veterans exposed to Agent Orange to apply for benefits | Salisbury Post

Comments comments

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Aug 24 at 2015 9:25 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:25:01 -0400

Agetn Orange was some nasty stuff. We screwed our guys over with that stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Response by PFC Joseph Levi made Aug 24 at 2015 9:54 AM

PFC Joseph Levi — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:54:44 -0400

HR. 969 and S. 681 are both bills in their respective houses named the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2015. If passed will give blue water navy vets VA care for agent orange. As of today, if you weren't boots on the ground in Vietnam, you don't qualify for VA care for agent orange! That includes veterans working on ships rearming planes with agent orange, were within 12 miles of the Vietnam coast getting over spray of agent orange, and were purifying the water to drink except it was not filtering out the chemicals of agent orange ergo they were ingesting it.

To date, the US is still spending billions of dollars in Vietnam for clean up of agent orange that still lingers from the war! If it last that long in the open environment, think what it's doing to our veterans who ingested these poisons after all these years!

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Aug 24 at 2015 11:25 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:25:52 -0400

Not all vets exposed to Agent Orange are sick. Agent Orange is a toxin - not an illness. Vets who are not suffering AO related illnesses should not apply for disability benefits...

Response by Sgt William Allen made May 19 at 2017 1:14 PM

Sgt William Allen — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:14:16 -0400

Any vet who served on any of these bases was effected. Agent Orange may be a toxin, but it causes illness. Many vets are suffering with it and don't know why. I found out in 2016 after several different AO related problems that we were exposed in Ubon, Thailand. Of course, the VA has denied them, but they are there just the same. The VA has chosen which illnesses it will pay for and the rest are swept under the rug. As the wind blew, so did the mist from the planes carrying AO and anyone who walked through the perimeter gates or near them, including the Thai people, are affected by AO. Everyone who served there should be compensated since our government knew the damage that was probable by the use of this insecticide on its' own people.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 11 at 2017 1:23 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 13:23:07 -0400

The Neimer Decision, I believe in 1997 settled the AO presumptive list. So many Vietnam vets, who washed their hands of the government, have never looked into it.

So all Vietnam and related area vets (Thailand, Korea, etc) should visit the VA AO website, and join the AO registry. Even if they are not suffering these horrid conditions, the data are vital for evaluating further research and care for people exposed to dioxins and other toxins.

In addition, Camp LeJeune and Ft McClellan had major toxic exposures. The VA is now paying benefits to dependents as well as vets from LeJeune and they basically follow the AO presumptive list for determining eligibility.

Response by LTC Lewis Cox made Jul 19 at 2017 7:45 AM

LTC Lewis Cox — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 07:45:33 -0400

I got my 10% disability from Agent. Orange!!!Have 90% need 10 more %!!!

Response by SSgt James McChesney made Nov 25 at 2017 8:58 PM

SSgt James McChesney — Sat, 25 Nov 2017 20:58:31 -0500

Oh really, I have had prostate cancer that recently metastasized to my bones. I am in treatment at this time after finishing another round of radiation on my shoulder. I cannot work anymore and in serious financial condition due to bills for $15,000 per month.
I served in Udorn, Thailand in 1974 and daily in close proximity to the perimeter of the base which is where VA claims was the only area sprayed with AO. 2018 will be the 10 year of filing claims and having them denied each time. It’s hard to imagine my own government has denied my service connected disease which my first oncologist claimed was related to agent orange exposure. I’m tired but I will NOT give up. I’m seeing an attorney next!

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 20 at 2017 12:09 AM

SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 00:09:56 -0500

Let's see how many they approve or are they just playing politics?

Peace!

Response by Sgt Douglas Berger made Apr 26 at 2018 8:50 AM

Sgt Douglas Berger — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 08:50:00 -0400

40 + Years and still no decision. When these do nothing politicians give political speeches I ask them what are they doing about or have done for onlyusa.us they become silent to the question. Veterans have been lied to for to many years it is time to let them know we are awake and see through their empty speeches. Salute to All _ Semper Fi _ onlyusa.us

Response by LCDR Mike Morrissey made Oct 14 at 2019 11:06 PM

LCDR Mike Morrissey — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:06:59 -0400

Encouraging all vets who served in AO areas to register is not new. But, most only registered if there was a known presumptive condition. There is no database of all members who served in-country. In addition a high percentage of VN vets completely separated and therefore left a system that no longer kept track of them. Therefore info about presumptive conditions ñever made it to them and any who applied and were denied prior to presumptive findings more than likely disappeared as well. Recently a neighbor who had prostate surgery years ago finally filed as a result of conversation we had. He had been on a blue water ship that was later certified as eligible.

Every year I run into at least 3-4 vets in various situations who were not aware of benefits
possibilities. During that same period, I discovered 2 widows who were entitled to compensation as there husbands died of presumptive illnesses.

Sure there are really tough stories of seeking compensation, however I've seen many more success storiues. Most of difficulties ..not all.. are a result of not having all reasonable details documented, being aggressive with the C&P examiner, not having an advocated alongside during the C&P time,