What exactly causes negative h. Pylori, negative CDH1 mutation, signet ring cell diffuse gastric carcinoma?

2023-02-01T21:07:38-05:00

Stomach cancer, a gastrointestinal cancer, is now considered a presumptive disease for Burn Pit veterans (Pact Act). Why is it not approved for Agent Orange as well as both contain dioxins and benzene (carcinogens)? What then causes negative h. Pylori, negative CDH1 mutation, signet ring cell diffuse gastric carcinoma in a Thailand veteran from a family that has NO OTHER CANCERS?

Response by COL Randall C. made Feb 1 at 2023 9:40 PM

2023-02-01T21:40:06-05:00

** response edited based on your updated question **

Carla Jasinski, the Pact Act expands eligibility for treatment or compensation - it does not cover "exposure" unless there is an illness or injury that is a result of it.

In other words, you may have been exposed to Agent Orange, and because of that if you had one of the illnesses then the VA will automatically assume (or “presume”) that your service caused your condition. If you have a presumptive condition, you don’t need to prove that your service caused the condition. You only need to meet the service requirements for the presumption.

I'm no medical expert, so I'll assume that you're saying the cancer you listed is not part of the presumptive conditions that the VA has for Agent Orange. In that case, you can still file a claim for VA disability benefits. But you’ll need to submit more evidence.

The key is that you need to prove a service connection. You already have exposure as a given - you can prove (I assume) from your service records that you were in an area of exposure for Agent Orange. What you'll have to show is that the chemicals from Agent Orange (or some other exposure while in the military) either directly or indirectly contribute to that cancer - i.e., causes it, makes your more susceptible to it, etc.