Thank God for the one Veteran who talked me into trying one more timeand for the state of Arkansas VSO. Version Date: 8/11/22 . I was selected to be on the team that modified one F111A from a fighter into a high tech wicked cool jamming device the EF-111-A. The AFHRA memo said that although use of commercial herbicides is documented, the Air Force archivists found no mention of the transportation, payment for or use of any tactical herbicide to control vegetation on Air Force installations in Thailand. To receive updates on my teams efforts, sign up for the newsletter now. You may not have standing to file for benefits. What about all those who served as I did in Johnston Atoll in 1974. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } I was in An Loc the same time with B Troop 1\9. We didnt know what killed all the vegetation in many areas on Searching and Destroy missions? Agent Orange while serving in Thailand during the Vietnam Era. My father died already and we tried to file a claim when he did only to be denied. Having any of these conditions is not fun and thanking us for our service doesnt help much. Does anybody know about it ? I am not a diabetic which seems to be one of the main items that is considered for VA benefits. The military even put up signs advising us not to go outside when the agent was being sprayed. Worst of all I now find out the bubblers we consumed water from in our hangers were polluted. i have contacted attorneys to fight for me. On Thursday, Pennsylvania Reps. Matt Cartwright (D) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R) introduced new legislation to expand the presumption of exposure to Agent Orange for disability benefits to. Are they eligible for Agent Orange benefits? Good luck and God bless you all. Who do we contact to start the claim process or to see if we are eligible? Some have won on appeal.. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. When will VA notify those who have previously filed a claim years ago for Hypothyroidism? I am wondering this as well. Without their help I doubt that it can be done!! visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. I am now having all kinds of health/medical problems. Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide the U.S. military used to clear leaves and vegetation for military operations mainly during the Vietnam War. Put in claim many years ago when bladder cancer became presumptive. Im not sure if VA has put me into the exposed group. He had me late in life . They give you up to a year to provide any additional evidence if needed. Office of Accountability & Whistleblower Protection, Training - Exposure - Experience (TEE) Tournament, Military Exposure Related Health Concerns, War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations), osd.pentagon.ousd-atl.mbx.afpmb-tactical-herbicides@mail.mil, Call TTY if you You get a whole 10% for it! If, you do not have PD, you may be able to file for the new Parkinsom. Too bad this wont help my father or my family. I had 2 children die at full term due to birth defects, I believe to be related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam My oldest son has a rare bone issue untreatable, I believe due to Agent Orange! Why are we waiting 5 months to this to be awarded? I only get the run around when I call. He passed away In 1994 from Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Biden awards Medal of Honor to Vietnam Col. Paris D. Davis after 60-year delay. He was a body builder & very health conscious! When will they get enough competent case reviewers to catch up on all Agent Orange Disability claims.?? I check my status every week, still no decision. Come guys -get serious you know it was all over that island! We were kicked to the curb. Sinus surgery in 1999, again she said no go. I am a Vietnam vet who is diabetic and I have ischemic heart disease, both of which are presumptive for Vietnam. I have a number of health issues from that have been linked to those exposures, but the health problems are not yet covered even in the presumptive diseases of the water contamination. My husband did three tours in Vietnam on the USS Chowanoc. 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. A doctor returned my call. Go to nearest VA facility and get registered with VA Health, find a VSO and he/she will fill out the necessary papers for you. Used bales of rags to clean it up. I am amazed that the VA believes burn pit issues only affect those serving in the more recent SW Asia campaigns. Developed diabetes. There should be a 1-800-827-1000 number or something similar. Came home on a Bipap and directions to use an oxygen concentrator and had to have tanks exchanged every month, I believe. Its AO, and also particulate matter exposure in SWA.]. Take your claims information to a Veterans Service Officer and get advice before filing the claim. Los Alamitos and ElToro. A few months later, they removed my thyroid. They owe it to you. I also acquired Grovers Disease (a rare skin disorder, where the glue dissolves around your skin cells). "In the United States, we take care of our fellow Americans who have been harmed in the course of their military service. I will however continue to fight until I take my last breath! I assumed that once a person wS 100%, there was no need to further file for illness related to agent orange. They will help you with your compensation claim. What if your father has already died? . Operation restore democracy in Haiti 1994. Praying this morning for you and your family. Camp Lejune first 6 months of 71. What about me!!! i was stationed in Blue Water off the coast of Vietnam from 1968-1971 on board the USS WICHITA AND THE USS ZELIMA, both of which carried munitions, fuel, food and supplies. 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 exposes to the toxic water, ( when I say exposed, I mean drinking, cooking and bathing in it) and developed hypothyroidism in my mid 40s. Im 71 documented Agent Orange but no claim with VA. Im having more and more medical issues, Have filed with a VSO and was denied. Drink eat and shower in agent orange in the Tonkin Gulf. A Maryland Democrat, David Trone, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has introduced the latter piece of legislation. Plus, he also served in Desert Storm and has his own set of problems from that :-( Good luck EVER getting the government to admit anything close to causative exposure. It will be difficult to locate your husbands friends family, however it may be possible. Its shameful how they have forgotten us. Hey, they can keep it and put it you know where. Because the government claims it was never there I have had no success in being compensated. Ive got my fingers crossed. They have over 600 pages of medical records for the multitudes of surgeries, treatments, lab work, and final radical cystoprostatectomy 2018. Asking them to do claims involving Chemical contamination is like asking a Janitor to build the space shuttle, and everyone knows it, but the games and waste of tax payer dollars continue as VA is a self run Government entity that can use logic to make decisions only assimilate like the Borg. I was stationed in Korat Thailand 72-73 and lived outside the west gate which is in the red zone ( cleared by AO ). I have heard nothing since. This AO affected my circulatory system (heart), lungs (everything hits my lungs first), and other issues starting in my early 30s. Im not sure if the new presumptive condition hypothyroidism is any different. He had prostate cancer. Ive had issues with my hands shaking for a long time. If your location and time frame is on the list and you were previously denied disability based on herbicide exposure compensation, you can file a supplemental claim. Nam Vet [69 71] To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. My husband is 100% disabled due to Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam tour. GOD sees this. In 2016 with the help of an attorney, was finally approved for Ischemic Heart Disease but only has a 60% disability rate. Mekong Delta. Im grateful for the be befits our service members now receive as my husband a twenty year retired war veteran does, but these Vietnam Veterans suffered through decades up against the brick wall that was the old VA. Will his cancer or children of male solders ever get any compensation? So good luck to all who are still fighting the fight. Ancestry.com has a military lookup feature, and there is a website called vetfriends.com. If they need more money to help all Veterans contaminated, they need to find the money and stop discriminating one age of Veteran against the other which has happened over last twenty years with no regard for the legality. Bob has been fighting this letter since it came out, Skinner said. We lived on McClellan from about April to August 1969, so not too long, but he served there after Vietnam. Had to fight like hell through the VSO and got rated 70% about 4 years before he died. 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. There are a couple of things that come to mind that you could try. "Many of those who have been exposed are living with cancers, heart disease or Parkinson's disease. Ancestry is likely your best bet. The science now confirms the link. That presumption has been expanded to blue-water Navy veterans. Died 6 years ago of AO related lung cancer. Everyone that was on the bases would have been in the spray zone for the herbicides, Flodder said. It would most likely be cheaper and distinctly faster to approve every damned request for benefits. A locked padlock One Veteran is same as the next, if they were contaminated and prove it, they should get help. im sure he falls in this category relating to his death. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |, To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores. What about the men who served aboard ships with asbestos Make an appointment with your nearest VA representative. My husband and I are both 100% disabled vets and if I could increase my disability to more I would! I am burdened with hypothyroidism, cyclothymia, type II diabetes, Major depressive disorder, very high anxiety issues, chronic degenerative joint disease and a few other medical issues. I also am a cancer survivor. 10% for coronary artery disease and bypass surgery? The calculation requires three digits but the field size only shows two digits! The bottom line is still that cases are NOT being dealt with in a timely manner, and additional illnesses are not being added to any list without first having one hell of a tough time being added. kapm. Daniel Clark Berg. I dont know if they will ever wake up and do the right thing for us. My claim for benefits for Agent Orange related Prostate cancer was approved in 2017. They do a real good job getting through all the red tape. We also had Downs baby and a miscarriage also from Agent Orange. Very same happened to me. Hes a highly qualified Toxicologist who helps Veterans with claims for exposure to chemicals. I was there for six months at ft. McClellan the Va keep trun me down on my lung that started there at ft. McClellan they say they dont know what to called it they know they dont want to Admit to it my name is Roy Kilgore, Can someone tell me why or how Agent Orange can skip the stomach. Together we are working trying to get all our ducks in a row to file a widows pension claim on the newly approved Parkinsonism agent orange approved disease. All we were tuned too was Search and Destroying the enemy! Official websites use .gov Felton Charles Barnes, what about exposure to mad cow disease? Problem solved!!!! He has a number of health issues. Im a child of a deceased Vietnam vet. So besides having survived Vietnam, there was Aniston. Big deal! I try to kick it by running and staying healthy but to no avail. I was in Nam 18 months, 29 April 68 to 7 Dec 69, I have Diabetes 2, receiving 30 % compensation for AO induced Diabetes 2. The JSRRC is officially known as the Joint Services Records . Loaded agent orange, asked what was in the drums, they said they could not tell me. I recently had spinal surgery and it has caused my neuropathy to greatly worsen. My husband served 68-69 in country. He has heart problems, diabetes, neuropathy. Why? AMIEN UND AMIEN! I am a VSO and I always get comments that the VA is That is partly correct. You are eligible. VA denied it being service connected! We were exposed to the chemicals daily, and I was at Camp Lejeune during the water contamination years. and later contacted them by sending all the paperwork Removing that burden helps veterans avoid having to file that additional paperwork. I will never believe all the agent Orange was out of the soil and water when he was there. File a claim for DIC at va.gov or find a good VA advocate to help you. I am so glad bladder cancer will be added to the list. Just get knowledgeable advice, from the VA or an accredited veterans service organization such s the DAV. I have Prostate Cancer. When I put in for it in Topeka Kansas I was told I could not collect until the Navies law suit was completely processed. many times not waiting the 30 minutes to drink. He (McHenry) was a walking encyclopedia of information, Skinner said. He was buried in the VA cemetery with honors . VA announced today two major decisions related to presumptive conditions associated with Agent Orange and particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia. Would like to see something about the Ft. McClellan toxic exposure..Ive got hypothyroidism, high blood pressure, nepherotic syndrome, migraines. WELL I HAVE HEAT PROBLEM TYPE 2 DIABETES ENLARGED PROSTATE AND SUFFER FROM PAINAT DIFFERENT TIMES AS WELL AS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. We filed a claim 2 years ago and recently received a denial. If youre alive and sick file for my family who cant. 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. thanks Fred Carlberg, Contact the BLUE WATER NAVY ORGANIZATION they have access to ships logs and can confirm if the Kearsarge was in territorial waters at anytime. My husband died from gastric cancer and according to the appeals board so did many other Viet Nam Vets. Plus my 37 year old son has a large tumor in his spine! I was in Dong Ha, Vietnam, from Feb 68 to April 69. Contact your local VSO and they will help you file a claim to reopen your case using the recent addition of these conditions to the presumptive list as New and Relevant evidence. 67-68 Tet. I was at mountain home afb 1975 to 1980. What if your parent submitted a claim for a type of cancer that was only from exposure to agent orange, but passed away shortly after submitting the claim and received a letter stating that the claim was being looked into; does that have any validity to it? But he trusted McHenry to make the historical case for him and veterans like him. Way to go VA. What about the troops of 7th Division 2 Battalion 31st Infantry 8th Army sent to the DMZ Korea 1967 thru 68? In addition I have hyperthyroidism. Good Luck! Medic/ O.R. Pancreatic Cancer 25 years ago at only 68 years old! They will help you prepare your disability claim . What you did for this for this country I s not too Much to ask. Every vet who was there deserves aid. Markers after three years are good thank goodness. What about veterans in operation restore democracy who were exposed to shit burning details? Loaded what ever in all kinds of airplanes. So sorry. So, good luck to any of you still living and fighting. My husband served 20 years in the USMC and served in the Vietnam War in 1968. Thats what my husband did who has AO related cancer. Filed a claim in 2018 was denied. Will his claim be reviewed now in light of the new findings? I was there for a short period of time. The burn pits were operating no matter which way the wind was blowing. 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. Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. My husband found a good advocate 150 miles from where we lived and got all his benefits. I have been thru 2 bladder cancer surgeries and have other medical issues. He passed in April of 2019 due to complications from his surgery. It is shameful how they have forgotten us if they can lie their way out of doing anything for us. For anyone that has questions about a claim, or their eligibility for VA benefits, you should reach out to your local VSO. I had to clean all of this up with no idea that this could be agent orange. I looked up, followed and had much respect for older folks, especially veterans and the advice they have given me. Find a VSO veterans service officer in your area, they will fill out forms and get them to the I have bladder cancer ive had stroke heart attack prostrate cancer and my lungs are scarred up. Many of the diseases posted by the VA as AO exposure have numerous Were they ever exposed to AO? How old is Robert now, where do you think he lives at. I resubmitted my claim July2019. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) that would eliminate barriers to benefits for veterans exposed to Agent Orange who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War-era as part of a comprehensive package to improve Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and 2. I tried to respond to you twice, but they wont accept my posts for some reason. Thailand veterans harmed by Agent Orange hope Congress will hear them - Congressman David Trone November 01, 2021 Thailand veterans harmed by Agent Orange hope Congress will hear them Credit: Dayton Daily News, Thomas Gnau Vietnam War-era veterans who served in Thailand say they're still fighting. If you have a copy of his DD214 and / or know the unit he was in you have a starting point. These are the evidence pieces you should give to your VSO, or if filing on your own, the evidence you scan and attach when submitting a claim at VA.gov. Exactly? I was told that unless I had diabetes, cancer there was nothing they could do. Both his parents lived to the age of 96. 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. I am a Vietnam combat Veteran, 1968, III Corps. Woo hoo! Multiple Myeloma The Kearsarge is NOT YET a BLUE WATER SHIP but i remember Launching, Recovering and Securing these Helos after IN COUNTRY or Near Shore rescues. I believe the airmen who were stationed in Anderson AFB in Guam were also exposed to Agent Orange. Id be contacting your advocate asap and get your claim going! VA is establishing a holistic approach to determining toxic exposure presumption going forward. Or is it 500 feet? They knew in advance the water was contaminated and allowed us to drink it, bathe in it, swim, buffaloes it and even transport it on ships headed out to Mediterranean. You can file online or thru the mail (https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/). My husband Was in Korea in 1973 and 1974. I served in Vietnam in Long Binh and Saigon area from Nov 1966 thru Oct 1967 in the Army and had Agent Orange sprayed me many times. Call toll-free at 1 (800) 700-4174 We're Ready to Listen 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. Being exposed just doesnt stop with the military member. 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. Can anyone confirm this or direct me where to find the truth? My husband was a Vietnam vet. Hodgkins Disease What about those of us Vietnam era vets that served on stateside bases such as Ft Gordon ga? 2021, which came back approved on March 22, 2021.) Can anyone in the VA administration help me understand why COPD and other respiratory diseases are not covered for exposure to agent orange ? What really irritates me is that those of us that served after Vietnam had to clean the old warehoused equipment from Vietnam. They didnt even recognize Agent Orange exposure back then. Bien Phouc. MJ. Interestingly, my husband was approved after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. When will we be covered? I have only 50% due to diabetes and diabetic neuropathic . It's not clear how many veterans would be affected by the change. Go online and look for the name of your state and VA rep and it will pop up with a list. Prostate cancer is which goes hand and hand with bladder cancer. Chloracne (if it presents within one year of exposure to a degree of 10 percent disabling) Age discrimination is against the law and VA can set better example by doing the right thing. We have learned to never trust our government. Mary get a lawyer you have a lot of money coming, a lot will have to what his death certificate How about those of us that served in Okinawa and were exposed to AO on the boats that were sent from Vietnam for repairs? When my husband died in 2010, he couldnt even find the paperwork to apply for a grave marker. I have no idea if there is any support for children of Vietnam vets, but I hope there is. Our vets are used and God sees this. If yours hasnt at least tried to help you file a claim, tell you county board or whoever hired her or him, you want a better representative. I had a 5 year break in service and decided to go back in as an aviator on C-130s. VA will conduct broad outreach efforts to reach impacted Veterans and it encourages them to participate in the rulemaking process. Any info on how to file and win a claim would be appreciated. "Our veterans are heroes and deserve to be treated as such. Sounds like the guys are finally getting what they deserve. File a claim at va.gov. Parkinsons Disease Crickets.. I was fortunate to have received benefits upon review in my favor after my appeal of the original decision declining my request for Total Unemployability. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently added three more presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism which has the potential to impact many Vietnam veterans who were exposed to the tactical herbicide. I served aboard an aircraft carrier in Southeast Asia from 1972-1973. The question is how many generations will the exposure of Agent fill in the blank and other chemicals? Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 (benefits line) and they should be able to tell you the form you need to file and start the process (most likely VA FORM 21-526EZ, SEP 2019). I never used the VA health System for 35 years. 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. Im fully compensated, tax free, and have free medical. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). This is a real thing.it is not just a problem with females that served and were exposed. I also was in nam 2 clicks s of dmz and was found to have bladder cancer in 06 filed a claim in 12 now a new claim this past March I heard they will go back 12 on payment is that true Don. I am trying to find out more about other vets exposed to Agent Orange who have been diagnosed with Scleroderma. This should be examined by the V.A. Does the theater include Guam and other stockpile locations in the South Pacific? Regardless. In one case, at Gulfport, Mississippi, new information received from a Veteran led to changes for that site on the list. We have suffered as well. What about soldiers that were made to take the PB pill to inoculate us from nerve agents during Desert Shield/Desert Storm. At around 60 I took on the fight which took 14 months of going through their hoops, fighting for assistance. The investigation did confirm use or tests in additional sites and dates in other locations. USMC 67-71. My dad also served in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange and I have a genetic mutation or defect that showed up in the chromosome tests called Ankylosing Sponylitis. I served in Vietnam as A combat engineer 1968 and 69. What is going to be done for families that have already loss loved ones prior to this ruling? My sense is these bills have a chance, but I just dont know how good a chance, attorney Chisholm said. I live in New York. My 51 years of marriage Vietnam war Vet is totally debilitated in every capacities , bedridden, wheelchair bound , totally blind , etc..he required More than 100% care by me and we both are in our seventy and suffering horrific bodily pain ! I have had sinus surgery and have to use inhalers to breath. I have applied several times for benefits associated with bladder cancer and prostate cancer that I canttaccontracted in Korea in 1968 -69. exposed to agent orange. Centerville resident McHenry died in July 2021 at the age of 74. The burn pits too were gross also! Pittsburgh VA developed an intervention to prevent emergence delirium, a temporary condition when a patient awakens from a procedure. Exposed to AO many times. I have applied twice, failed the breathing test and still been denied benefits, that were promised to me at discharge then taken away by a grateful government. I would love to find others that new him. feel free to reach out. says the recurring bladder cancer shows improvement, does no good to call,email,any so called Representative, mine wont even send me an email saying go screw yourself I submitted my claim in 2008 after being called to the VAMC to be placed on the registry. At age 59 I had my first rare cancer, thyroid and later a 2nd cancer even rarer Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in my abdomen. VA says Prove it. I quit going to the VA for anything!!!! Youll quickly see youre not alone! My late husband was a mess sergeant and somehow field combat training. Google Okinawa and Agent Orange. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River for 5 years in the early and mid 80s. Why doesnt the VA recognize those of us who served in Thailand. Our son was conceived on that base. is being forced because of these new laws and regulations to admit exposure they previously denied. have hearing loss, VA plans, budget, finances, and performance. I am disappointed ive been fighting for my dad benefits only to be told no one can help me. My dad was poisoned by AO during the war doing decon of planes from Vietnam. But for future others, recognition of the connection between esophageal cancer and Agent Orange in Viet Nam is. Oral, lung, esophagus, colon, prostrate, blood but not the stomach? We both came down with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I marked it off and put in my Training Jacket. I finally was able to get into and fill out the burn pit registry about a year ago. While I did not file a claim for hypothyroidism,, I was taking medication for it when I had my Agent Orange exam from which they gave me disability ratings for DM2 and ischemic hear disease. Everyday it is a fight with V.A. Our 29 year old son has CML Leukemia I believe from Agent Orange. My late husband was. Technician, I was in Nam 67+68 Ive had Hypothyroidism for a long time what do I do? 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. Operation Ranch Hand. I do get benefits for my hearing but still have issues with my shaking . The base I was assigned to refueled C-130s with Agent Orange and it was used to control our foliage. Anyone out there know anything about vets and scleroderma? The area that I lived in was with the Philippians off base in a jungle area, which was sprayed with a chemical to control the growth of the jungle out side of our barracks. I have copd (breathing problems) and sinus conditions, do i qualify? Army and was later diagnosed with Diabetes, hearing loss, Parkinsons and other health conditions and according to one doctor at the VA he was exposed to Agent Orange. Wes, 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?