The VA told him he didnt need to file a claim because it wasnt covered. During this rather dismal 14 month period I often wondered why so much red tape when the facts were undeniably evident (at least to me!) Lois I suggest staying on this as eventually it will become clear it was used in Korea, as well as was it ever stored anywhere he was present such as Scoffield Barracks ?? We flew into areas that had been sprayed with agent orange. I came into contact with Agent Orange when footage was burned off in the northern parts of the island. The question is how many generations will the exposure of Agent fill in the blank and other chemicals? He did so much research on this letter (the Aug. 2015 memo)., These men are now in many cases in their 80s, Trone said. Last I knew Vietnam was in Southeast NOT Southwest It took another 4 years of privately paid care before the VA finally started helping out with SOME of the cost. He saw active duty the entire tour. Many other conditions that affect my health from this condition. Trones bill would force these to be adjudicated this quicker, presuming that they were exposed to harmful herbicides. Veterans who served in Thailand have long contended they face a higher bar in winning Veterans Administration (VA) disability benefits claims, having to clearly demonstrate they were exposed to Agent Orange or other harmful herbicides while their fellow veterans enjoy a presumption that they were exposed. As a result, I was not affected by the many things agent Orange and the poison water from Lejuene contributed to my health. Im currently receiving a 20% rating for surgeries related to recurring shoulder dislocations while attending cliff assault school, boxing in smokers, and playing various sports for Marine units while stationed in Twenty-Nine Palms and Camp Foster, Okinawa. My dad served proudly and for only to receive nothing in return from the VA. No burial benefits, no flag, just nothing!!!!! Maybe the mindset at the VA is to defer as long as possible and let time run out for a large number of us. So it certainly seems like Agent Orange was in his system all those years before Parkinsons. The VA pats itself on the back for adding three presumptives but conveniently ignores the one with a solid link. I am wondering if they are delaying action on the claims until we are all dead? One of their doctors lied and stated that he had examined me and found no problems related to Agent Orange. If a claim is denied for 20 years and then was the granted at 100%, they saved over $800,000.00. Bob was trying to get that letter rescinded at the time he died.. . I resubmitted my claim July2019. https://www.nacvso.org/find_service_officers/category-865ca542-2c72-4d1a-adac-56061f573562.aspx. My husband and I are both 100% disabled vets and if I could increase my disability to more I would! Was it caused by the water we drank (blue water sailor), the free cigarettes, or a combination of both? They used that letter repeatedly to deny claims, Mary Flodder, McHenrys widow, said in an interview. My daughter had to have her thyroids removed when she was a young teenager. I have hyperthyroidism from agent orange. I was checked out by a so called doctor at the va clinic for hypertension my reading were 185/95 and the va doctor told me it was ok because of my age which is 70 I myself believe thats a lot of bull crap. Paula there is strong evidence that Dioxin the active agent in Agent Orange altered DNA and as such children can see their health impacted so do not give up. Developed diabetes. I lived in Okinawa in 1967-68, then was in Navy in Vietnam from Examined for Agent Orange four years ago. It should be no different in the case of the Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange," Cartwright said in the same statement. My dad died March 6 2021 of non-hodgkin lymphoma, he was a Marine in Camp Leguene 1963&64. Saigon was actually worse as there was no garbage collection and large roadside dumps along Plantation road were set on fire periodically. In 2019 I started the process of filing the claim with the VA. After a lot of paper work, doctor exams and 10 months of waiting I finally received my rating from the VA of 100% full and complete disability. Problem is I am the sole surviver. My claim for benefits for Agent Orange related Prostate cancer was approved in 2017. My husband, who is a Viet Nam vet, passed away 10 years ago from bladder cancer. I dont think anyone in VA cares. He passed away In 1994 from Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The investigation did confirm use or tests in additional sites and dates in other locations. Unfortunately, not all VA reps are equal. I have sinus problem that I never had before being exposed. Back then I should have reported him. I know Im not alone. It was the best move I could have made. These vets didnt decide to go to war with Vietnam they didnt decide anything except to answer the call of duty to their country. I agree with every word you wrote. The wheels of the VA grind extremely slow dont they. At age 59 I had my first rare cancer, thyroid and later a 2nd cancer even rarer Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in my abdomen. Thank you for allowing me to vent. Ask anyone who served in Vietnam and it was common practice to dispose of human excrement by mixing it with diesel fuel and burning it. I finally got FULL VA bendfits 45 years later only because I met a VET in Allentown, pa area and he GUIDED my through the process and actually took me to the Allentown VA and showed me where to go and what to expect when I had to see the PROFESSIONALS. I did all of a You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. I have developed arithmia, high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. I had heart surgery in 1998 to remove the pericardial sac from my heart. visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. Nov 4, 2021 The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Mission Partner Awards 2021; October 2021 Oct 29, 2021 . Will every case be reopened? Meanwhile, according to its website, the VA is currently reviewing its policy on Agent Orange exposure in Thailand, leaving Dan hopeful the door is now open for other veterans. March 3 (UPI) -- The lesion that President Joe Biden had removed from his chest last month during his physical was a common type of skin cancer, his physician said Friday. Finally in 2020 he was dx with PSP. Four years later, it gets approved and I file my claim on 1 March.. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. He served during Vietnam war. Sounds as tho EVERYTHING is denied!! 3. When I read that the Blue Water Navy was getting this it upset me so if you were off the coast of Vietnam you can get it. I served as an infantryman during the same period. This in my opinion is a major problem. Hi Ted, I run a project called Operation Triumphus and have helped point some veterans in the right direction regarding this issue. They call me to cancel an appt. The VA has gradually expanded coverage for Agent Orange-related illnesses in the decades since. Charles McDivett. A Guide to Strengthening Your Thailand Agent Orange Exposure Claim Edward M. Farmer is a U.S. Army veteran and an attorney. When I put in for it in Topeka Kansas I was told I could not collect until the Navies law suit was completely processed. Big news from Iceland Feb. 2021 in the amount of lead in the base, NASKEF, drinking water in the late 90s. So, good luck to any of you still living and fighting. He was recently diagnosed with Parkinsonism. What about those who served pass August 31 1971? Vietnam War-era veterans who served in Thailand say theyre still fighting. Doctors say I have many ailments from AO exposure. Our vets are used and God sees this. 67-68 Tet. This was the only work I ever did under such conditions and now I pay a very high price, no future. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. The Va clinic says, I dont know what your talking about. If I were a civilian in Aniston I could sue and at least get my medical bills paid forbut I was just serving my country so I guess I dont deserve to be treated like a human being. VA announced today two major decisions related to presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange and particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia., [Editor: Separate issues. Veterans are STILL battling a war, this war with their own government. It is beyond horrible. My husband died at the age of 88 in Colombia, from a cardiorespiratory arrest, his diagnosis of Epoc, hypothyroidism, Parkinsons, osteoarthritis and Alzhaymer, these were presented to him from 2015 in Colombia, could it be a consciousness of the war chemicals? I was at a base camp in South Vietnam when after taking a short shower, ( limited water ) a chopper flew overhead and spraying Agent Orange in the tree lines when I got another shower, Agent Orange! My husband served 68-69 in country. Possibility of Agent Orange exposure could have been the cause! Will her claim be in archives with the Army I even got a claim number. Could go on forever, but I should stop here. In fact my brother in law had to wait on the ship until well after dark, like a sneak thief, My name is Nicole Coon. "In the United States, we take care of our fellow Americans who have been harmed in the course of their military service. I recently had spinal surgery and it has caused my neuropathy to greatly worsen. And as I didnt know then and only got a clue in 1987 well I was screened for agent orange I have been expected to prove that peripheral neuropathy was from my time in that country. The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, known as the VA, has added atypical Parkinsonism to the list of conditions presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure during military service. My poor wife is growing old befor her time as she struggles to keep up with my medical bills and having to tap into our meager savings in order to pay for personal care providers not covered by either the VA or Medicare. Thank you for your time in reviewing this note. One place my brother was stationed was Dong Ha. A little compensation for He was shot in the leg by the Japanese. I served in Viet Nam Nov 70 -Nov 71, at Anloc VN and was diagnosed in 2010 with hypothyroidism. We would appreciate any help with the claim as it would cost 4,000 a month which we could not afford but one month. 2. Sinus surgery in 1999, again she said no go. the VA has its own math to figure how disabled you are on each disease. Without his help I would never had gotten anything. I have filed claims but constantly get denied. Most counties have at least one. The letter acknowledges that I have the conditions, but states that my service is not believed to be the cause. Dont give up. My husband served in Vietnam in 1967-1968 and was diagnosed with AML leukemia in September 2020 and died in February 2021. However, VA's adjudication manual (M21-1) does recognize Vietnam-era veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to Agent Orange and may qualify for VA benefits. If its carried in the DNA then children are eligible for medical coverage by the VA a part of the DoD since the careless actions by the DoD caused this problem. Our government truly does not care. Very helpful, but was told that the VA routinely denies claims, then you have to prove somehow that your case is a result of AO. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? Many of I filed in 1980 at the age of 31 for esophageal cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange. The condition affected my right leg, mostly, causing numbness where I had to rely upon a cane in order to walk. through the red tape. He did not receive any type of compensation. I quit going to the VA for anything!!!! Please help me for my husband & that was in Vietnam around the Agent Orange. My countys VA reps paycheck comes out of our tax moneynot all counties are willing to pay for us to have a good representative. (Even though he had rectal cancer and now has a colostomy.) Yet as you suggest, they are simply waiting for us all to die off. I have a Bladder condition for the last 21 years it was not cancer but I was at U-Tapao Thailand from Jan. 1975-March 1976? Time is running out for these veterans, Brown said in an email. How do I apply again if they are actually maybe taking this seriously? Plus my 37 year old son has a large tumor in his spine! I live in New York. Falls short of what needs to happen, VA needs to make sure above all that people contaminated why doing their jobs in service get help. I was told that unless I had diabetes, cancer there was nothing they could do. My husband who was diagnosed with B cell non Hodgkin lymphoma started his treatment outside the VA then someone told him to go to the VFW or American Legion. If your husband died from any of the diseases under agent orange and it is listed as the cause of death on his death certificate, the VA rep can access and reopen his filed claim and you should be eligible for a DIC special pension. Crickets.. Currently, the following conditions are presumed to be caused by Agent Orange and will receive presumptive service connection for qualifying veterans stationed in Thailand: AL Amyloidosis Chronic B-cell Leukemias Chloracne Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Hodgkin's Disease Ischemic Heart Disease Multiple Myeloma Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Parkinson's Disease Every time I went to the local VA clinic for my 6 month wellness check there was supposed to be now charge for this. VA will begin implementing provisions of the William M. Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283), adding three conditions to the list of those presumptively associated with exposure to herbicide agents, more commonly known as Agent Orange. VA will conduct broad outreach efforts to reach impacted Veterans and it encourages them to participate in the rulemaking process. We die as you ignore. I have no idea. I dont know dates ir anything and sadly my mother passed a few months back and I have no other family to ask. Exactly,JP fuel, chromate & benzodiazepines as well! Almost every county has During the daily exposure of ground hull bare nonskid surface, we were subject to a daily cloud of toxic particulate matter with only minimal safety protection. many times not waiting the 30 minutes to drink. and later contacted them by sending all the paperwork It took 5 years before I got anything from the VA. I would rather have died instantly on the battlefield with glory than suffer daily this slow death from Parkinsons developed from the toxic exposure from water at Camp Lejeune. My husband had several of those illnesses, but VA kept loosing only the real important documentation and then even went as far as wanting daily records. He filed a claim but died before the VA completed his claim. WHY ?? Interior Department announces new initiative to restore bison population. Have never been able to figure out who he was :-( Good luck! Just about everywhere we went looked like the vegetation never existed! Chisholm said he and like-minded attorneys representing veterans who served in Thailand are winning these cases one at a time, but with detailed evidence, detailed arguments, detailed affidavits. Problem is I am the sole surviver. I am compensated for it, though. I am a combat vet and 100% rated and served 38 years, but priorities are better at Medi Cal. I was also told that because I was able to raise my extremely arthritic arms over my head that I should be fortunate that the VA doesnt take away my disability benefits altogether. I suffer from hypothyroidism, neurological issues, and have had several episodes of Transient Global Amnesia. A VA spokeswoman said If enacted, S.657 would expand universal eligibility for veterans who served in Thailand. My self I got a bloody nose and sore throat. 4th MAW. This can never happen again! Is this true? Id contact the VA and find out where to file to start receiving widow benefits. Vietnam War era Veterans and their survivors who previously filed and were denied benefits for one of these three new presumptive conditions will have their cases automatically reviewed without the need to refile a claim. I try to kick it by running and staying healthy but to no avail. I would go up north to snorkel and fish during my time off. Im glad that those exposed to Agent Orange are FINALLY getting some progress with the VA and federal government. March 3 (UPI) -- The legal team representing former President Donald Trump has formally requested a six-month delay in the fraud civil case filed against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailandfrom January 9, 1962, throughJune 30, 1976. Thank God for the one Veteran who talked me into trying one more timeand for the state of Arkansas VSO. Tsgt Myers. My father was in Vietnam as D he was a rifle man and jumped out of planes. My daughter lived for a month & 7 days. Also, the investigation found less use in Thailand and the DMZ then previously reported. He got a double whammy being a Vietnam vets son and then whatever was going on with the poison that was Anniston, good ol Monsanto strikes again :-( And of course, we never knew about that until it was decades too late. They (the VA) will grant it, (or) theyll grant it partially, (or) theyll deny it, which is probably about 80 to 90% of the Thailand veterans, they have been denied. What about glioblastoma brain? Website is still saying researching! Roy, go to the nearest Disabled American Veterans office and ask them for assistance. Advertisement. Those conditions are bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism. Later I would receive bills for the co-pay and my insurance at work was charged $1,800.00! Parkinsons Disease, Diabetes and Ischemic Coronary Heart Disease are presumptive conditions of Agent Orange exposure. I check my status every week, still no decision. So highly unlikely wed both have it. Why are we waiting 5 months to this to be awarded? You can file online or thru the mail (https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/). Loaded what ever in all kinds of airplanes. Shannon Brewer, Senior Attorney Updated: August 12, 2013. Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act, IRS begins making final stimulus payments from American Rescue Plan, GAO: VA suicide prevention teams need evaluation amid caseload growth, burnout, Woman's DDT exposure may affect granddaughter's health, study says. I have other health issues also. His last 20 years were torture for him though he fought like a warrior. My husband had a buddy who died there in 68, and all I knew was his unit and first name. This is not a judgement call. All of my skin peeled off but no body was interested in my problems. Parkinsons Disease He had only 2 children, my brother and I. I had to clean all of this up with no idea that this could be agent orange. Marshall retold the story of his years during the Vietnam War where . My Dad served aboard the USS Rutherford B. Hayes in the Philippines and Southeast Asia in WWII. Good luck. There is more to that in his records and he died from cancer. We are moving out smartly in initiating action to consider these and other potential new presumptions, grounded in science and in keeping with my authority as Secretary of VA, said Secretary McDonough. I have also had half my stomach and 8 inches small intestine removed for Carcinoid Cancer, VA says it was not caused by AO. These conditions include: Bladder Cancer Hypothyroidism : A condition occurs when the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones I submitted my claim in 2008 after being called to the VAMC to be placed on the registry. Unfortunately we didnt learn anything with the AO exposure. I had such a bad case of PTSD starting in 1969, I spent 6 weeks in a Navy mental ward at Millington NAS. How did you find proof that the chemicals you mentioned can cause Scleroderma. They want to punish us all. He was also exposed to Agent Orange. Im an Anniston vet. ABF3 USS HORNET (CVS-12). Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). Too bad this wont help my father or my family. If you know of. VA says Prove it. My deceased husband, John Joseph McEnroe, died on April 21, 1977, from an astrocytoma of the right frontal lobes which spread to his spinal column and herniated his brain on his brain stem. Contact a veterans service organization ASAP. The VA inform us that we did have a claim but that they were giving funds to the children that were still alive. I was in vietnam Quonlo for 14 months. Im a child of a deceased Vietnam vet. Key word is ( could cause ) which means the government can not proof that agent orange can not contribute to COPD and other respiratory diseases. I am so glad bladder cancer will be added to the list. Thank you. Please reapply! Tell your Primary you need to see a Neurologist. I, at least, now have survivor benefits to help me in retirement. Make an appointment with your nearest VA representative. About 10 years ago I filed with the VA and brought my medical records from my own doctors. Neither is free, but I dont know how much they are. Will his claim be reviewed now in light of the new findings? I looked at all your pages of breaking news and it is all the same ,lot of words and no info of the breaking news ,Have been trying since 1996, and not much help ,turned down because it was not on my active duty records ,tried to tell the them that my many disibility,s came after I came down with non Hoginkins lymphoma in 1995 made no difference,they are waiting till some more of us are dead,I have most of those disibility,s they are talking about ,and it is rough to think about sometimes,but we will make it without va ,and probably be better off . The local dentist shop told me the VA isnt approving off campus work now. It seems we are not getting any help from the very people whose jobs it is to help us. Be aware (request a copy) of your DBQ exam as I did mine and one of the examiners did not completely fill out the questions that were asked of her and for some reason referred to me as a STREET PERSON, get a copy ASAP so that you will know what they said, its in your best interest. You are eligible. Go see a VA service representative. Where does that leave his claim? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Tried to find more information but doctor at VA didnt want to fully confirm nor deny exposure to Agent Orange. Will she possibly be eligible for benefits of the new changes? Nam Vet [69 71] Wes, A deceased buddy of mine was stationed on Guam. Praying this morning for you and your family. What about the men who served aboard ships with asbestos I have had cancer and other illness but still got denied 3 days before Christmas. I now have reduced kidney function arthritis and multiple degenerative muscle skeletal issues. This needs to be mentioned in your claim. Sinusitis is already covered. We feel your pain, we also got no benefits for a funeral when my father in law died from Agent Orange. My belief is that ANYONE with a specific injury like yours, or ANYONE who served at least 6 months in a COMBAT zone should receive 100% compensation and completely eliminate the VA intake center employee jobs to fund those payments. My husband found a good advocate 150 miles from where we lived and got all his benefits. GOD sees this. His living quarters were also close to a base perimeter, he recalled. So many of us has been through the process without any results. Los Alamitos and ElToro. March 3 (UPI) -- A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 45 years in prison Friday for planning a deadly ambush on members of his military unit. 800-829-4833, Veterans Crisis Line: The VA is worse than the Post Office. I served at KADENA AFB on Okinawa from 1970 until 1972. Hard of hearing as well. Its the birth defects given to the children of the veterans. A large group of now grown children swapping stories and advocating for change. Sorry, but I dont have the time or ability to bear the burden of responsibility when it comes to proving this issue. Im 75 and i am sick and tired of being lied too. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. Welcome to the Ultimate Agent Orange Guide for VA Disability Benefits. VA needs to be alert to symptoms and catch it sooner, with testing. Had a doctor and a judge state that my leukemia was the result of exposure to agent orange but the VA is giving me 0 per cent compensation. Pay them. Heart breaking, hard to think about God bless all, Im just giving up. Sorry this award came to late, We are the care takers of what they destroyed fur what, their greed. Thats our job., Its still essentially a case-by-case basis, Chisholm said. Being exposed just doesnt stop with the military member. Is it possible that affects of agent orange were passed to him? My husband, Tom Spinks died of Parkinsons Disease so I was reading about this and thought this may be a place to find Robert. I later found that they were reimbursed by my private medical insurance. Doctor told me heart ( VA has me on meds, surgery in 2002) not in AO conditions. I had no idea the Government was actually compensating servicemen exposed to such danger. Surely VA isnt saying that stateside exposure isnt responsible for the same ailments as overseas exposure. Felton Charles Barnes, what about exposure to mad cow disease? Was it used in Germany at the same time? Died 6 years ago of AO related lung cancer. in 1972 after coming back from Vietnam-went to VA in Albq., spent week in Hospital with a body rash all over except in crotch area-face-hands-looked and felt like sandpaper-VA told me was caused by a tick bite reaction-gave me numerous medications-to this day-I still get rash on my body and boils on my buttocks-very uncomfortable-was denied agent orange filing for it-our youngest son had his skin on fingers fall-off-I have faith in our VA Facilities-but not in our VA Leaders in getting info about all other Agent Orange Conditions-we are short of time-Please, may you do what is right for our remaining survivors God Bless America and those that pray for all humanity-to live in PEACE, TYPO? Without their help I doubt that it can be done!! I too am having issues obtaining benefits for my husband who served in Vietnam. I was also told that even before the pandemic, claims decisions were never made in less than four months. If one of them matches the first name you have I can keep going. But the VA says, sorry no claim in your 1st year out, too bad. Also this was 72 till76. Is he bragging about complying with the law? Can i get VA assistance? I am proud to join Rep. Cartwright in introducing legislation that will ensure our Vietnam War veterans who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia receive the care they deserve now, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to work across the aisle to support these men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country," Fitzpatrick said in a statement. We were supposed to die off and father time is working overtime isnt it. Why isnt high blood pressure approved as a presumptive under Agent Orange? The Young man handling Agent Orange claims referred me to my own civilian doctor and even paid for the visit. My husband was in Korea 1973-1974 he was in the 37thArtillery 6th Battalion Camp Essayons.Will any new VA expand benefits help him? He was diagnosed with Aphasia in 2011 and became 100% disabled by Feb. 2012. I understand that there are backlogs and staffing limits.