Who has registered for Toxic Exposure?

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:04:58 -0400

Looking for feedback from these Vets(Agent Orange, Gulf War, Burn Pits, Atomic Vets, etc.), I am having problems with the set up of the filling portions. Looking to see if ya'll filed or are going to file. If you haven't, why not? Do not share any PII please

publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/benefits/registry-exam.asp

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2022 12:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:18:05 -0400

I have had severe sinus problems since around 1993/4. I plan to file but, haven't yet. Only out of pure laziness on my part.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 19 at 2022 12:38 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:38:19 -0400

I put my name on the burn pit registry. I have not felt the need to do more. But, I am already at 100%, and all of my known issues are both covered and rated.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 19 at 2022 12:50 PM

SSgt Mathew Cummings — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:50:51 -0400

Let me also be clear about something here, I am going to reach out to my States coordinator about complications in regards to the online portion if you have complaints about this specific applications process.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2022 1:02 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:02:57 -0400

I filed all of mine online, as soon as the Burn Pit Registry became available. Filed for the "Gulf War Syndrome" also. After all this time, I received a call from the VA about a month ago regarding my application. Finally have an appointment next week to go in and see someone.

Response by PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln made Apr 19 at 2022 1:18 PM

PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 13:18:13 -0400

SSgt Mathew Cummings thanks for this question. I am on the Gulf War, Burn Pit, and Camp Lejeune registries. Haven't had occasion to go any further yet, but I get the updates and make sure that I follow up on presumptive illness as they are listed.

Response by SSG William Jones made Apr 19 at 2022 3:26 PM

SSG William Jones — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:26:05 -0400

I filed in January of 2018 and was flat-out rejected out of hand!!! I was basically made out to be a liar and that I had never deployed to the Gulf War. I replied (see excerpt as attached) and never heard diddly-squat from them after my reply. I have thought that I would take this to a D.A.V. Service Officer or to a V.A. counterpart,, but I have just about abandoned the whole thing.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 20 at 2022 11:41 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 11:41:16 -0400

I'm on the Agent Orange and LeJeune water registries and had some glitches with both. My advice is to persevere and not get to excited about any problems. Consider what a pain it would be if you were actually suffering from a malady and had to go through the same problems while suffering through the ill effects.

Response by MSG Kevin Elliott made Apr 20 at 2022 3:10 PM

MSG Kevin Elliott — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:10:54 -0400

I filed. No issues really. If you are interested in getting the physical exam associated with the registries, you need to contact the Environmental Exposure Office at your VA Medical Center. They will ask you to provide a copy of your registry questionnaire and the VAMC in Richmond has me fill out another survey before they made my appointment. I haven't really heard anything back from the registry, but I did get put in for some additional pulmonary testing and I am currently on medication for some breathing issues.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 20 at 2022 7:16 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 19:16:52 -0400

I filled on several, but until the can link something to it, you are just in limbo.

Response by SGT M C made Apr 25 at 2022 3:56 PM

SGT M C — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 15:56:59 -0400

1st hand experience! The VA has and will rubber stamps denials on any claims submitted, no matter the level of proof. They count on frustrating vets and hoping their denial will end your application for earned/deserved compensation.

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made May 12 at 2022 9:55 AM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Thu, 12 May 2022 09:55:13 -0400

Send a secure message to your primary care doctor/team via MyHealthyVet, request a completion of your Gulf War Registry health exam by an Environmental Health Clinician. The link below includes the coordinator's name, email, and phone number, across the nation. "Plan your work then, work your plan:"

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made May 14 at 2022 9:30 AM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Sat, 14 May 2022 09:30:01 -0400

Dear SSGT Cummings, I may be able to help, send me an email [login to see] .

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made May 14 at 2022 10:22 AM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Sat, 14 May 2022 10:22:51 -0400

SSGT Cummings, I thought it very comprehensively minded of you to ask about environmental exposures as a group. Interestingly, the VA publishes a biannual newsletter that informs on the topic, Military Exposures & Your Health. This six(6) newsletters do a good job of addressing the toxic wounds that veterans encounter: https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/meyh/publications/index.asp

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 14 at 2022 10:26 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 14 May 2022 10:26:58 -0400

I am on the Burn Pit Registry. I am supposed to go for a VA exam as part of a study, but each time I schedule, it’s prescriptive appointments and last time I needed a COVID test within 24 hours. I back burnered this until I feel like doing it since the VA made it such a pain in the ass to do

Response by Cpl Karl Narasky made May 14 at 2022 1:28 PM

Cpl Karl Narasky — Sat, 14 May 2022 13:28:15 -0400

Maybe it went to EZ for me but my DD214 and a good service officer got me what presumptive coverage I was entitled too for agent orange and I also filed for the Camp LeJeune water contamination.