Viet Vets and Agent Orange

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fishpicker

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Hi There.
Just had a prostate biopsy and tested positive for cancer.
I am a Vietnam Vet and it is presumed that all of us were exposed to agent orange which is linked to prostate cancer.
I've started the claim process but wonder if there any brother veterns on this board that have gone through making claims regarding health issues related to A.O.
I'm fortunate to have a decent job with pretty good health insurance so I am so much better off then others but who knows what's down the road.
Appreciate any input.
Thanks!
 
I appreciate your service to our nation and your condition.... Unfortunately your post probably wont be well recieved here as questions put forth generally need to relate to tactices, guns or gun problems and that kind of thing..

Good luck... best I can offer is see your VA rep... and thank you again for what you have given for our nation.
 
As a fellow Vet, I am so sorry to hear about your condiition. Thank you for your service and sacrifices. I did file a claim with the VA for a Systemic Heart Condition (Agent Orange Correlation), and it was rejected. I provide my heart doctor's information and acess to my medical records with my claim. I also filed a claim for hearing loss and was rejected by the VA. I have a heart problem, and I also have severe hearing loss requiring hearing aids for over ten years now.

I served in a Jungle Clearing Company in Nam, and it is well documented as to our exposure to Agent Orange and to combat explosions and severly loud noise we encountered.

The VA has rejected my claims. It is obvious if you can not prove the correlation between your claimed disability and your separation physical you are not going to receive favorable consideration. No one knew anything about Agent Orange when I was in Nam nor when I separated. Many Veterans will tell you they did not start suffering hearing loss until years after their separation and their separation physical.

To me, the VA has never been of assistance to me. They appear to be an agency established by the Federal Government to diaspprove claims as opposed to helping veterans unless your claim is blantantly obvious and results in separation from the military.

I received a phone call from another man in my unit in Nam this past Sunday evening. He was solicting my support for a claim he was filing for hearing loss and a bad knee. He and I were both blown off an APC which struck a land mines. I offered to provide a written statement, but as I am saying to you I offered little hope as to an approved claim. He had already been disapproved once for his claim and was attempting to appeal the denial. Why should we have to appeal a denial of a claim when it is so obvious in our current physical conditions. This was the first time I had talked to this man in over 40 years.

I hope the moderators do not close this thread since it is combat and gun related due to hearing loss issues as I have brought forward.

I wish you well and hope you can receive some support from the VA, but based upon my personal experience I am doubtful. Hang in there my comrade in arms, and you have my thoughts in your trying times with your health issues.

Link to My Nam Unit: http://www.538thlc.com/articles/cc471.html
 
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Just had a prostate biopsy and tested positive for cancer
Click to expand...

Prostate cancer is presumed to be AO related for Vietnam Vets. I don't see you having any problems.

To make this gun related.

What type rifle were you carring. I carried a M16a1 when I was getting sprayed.:D
 
Again, thanks for your service we should never forget or take for granted the sacrifice so many have made for our Country.

I wonder if The Vietnam Veterans of America could be of assistance. If you have not already done so you may want to check out their WEB site and maybe contact them.

http://www.vva.org/
 
Better get the DAV involved right now! Hell, I had to have my prostate removed, and I got poo-pooed. You should get a year full disability after this surgery to recover. It actually takes longer. I hate to sound dis-affected, but seek private care if you can afford it. I had two buddies who relied on VA. I sure miss those guys. I have another bud who got good care from VA. One out of three ain't good. Please call the DAV. m/16- m60

Bon Chance!
 
Prostate cancer is presumed to be AO related for Vietnam Vets. I don't see you having any problems.

To make this gun related.

What type rifle were you carring. I carried a M16a1 when I was getting sprayed.
Click to expand...
__________________

Well, I was an air force electrician, working on Phantoms.
Non combatant. Just had to duck down during the incoming rocket attacks.
Once a month, during my time at Danang anyway, they'd drag us out to the perimiter in the middle of the night and pretend we were being overrun.
They Barney Fifed us by giving us our M16 but no rounds.
Heck I guess Barney got one at least.

Regarding VVA I actually have an appointment to meet with a rep tomorrow.
Like I said I have pretty good insurance and have put my self in the hands of some good doctors.
Out of pocket expenses will still be significant and if I get some VA help it'll be much appreciated.
Just wondered if anyone here had gone through this and I apologize if this was not an appropriate subject for the Firing Line.
 
sorry to hear that you are in the shape you are.you are right about the prostate being under the A.O. I would go straite to the V.A. and get something started right away.hopefully you want be rejected.

my dad has had to have his small intestine along with his colon removed, but cannot file under the A.O. claim.he was in the best shape of his life before he was drafted then came home sick as a dog.been that way ever since.

one way to get help is to get in touch with your local VFW or a VWF rep.they should be of some help.or as most say just camp out on their porch till they give it to ya.its said to see and hear about or vets having so much trouble getting what they are owed.good luck to ya and thanks for the things you had and are going through.

to make it a gun thing my dad carried a M14 that he just loved.
 
Hey Kraig, I have a great deal of respect for you and your post on the Forum

You did post this: "I don't see you having any problems."

Please trust me this is going to be a problem. The VA does not honor justifiable request for a disability. Their first response is to diapprove and then make you justify vs. giving you any consideration as a Vet. You have to fight once again and get legal assistance or the help of someone in high political office for even a very minor disability. It is disgusting.

Lord knows I would like to hear differently or with my hearing read differently.

Gun related; I carried an M-16 with 30 extra magazines of ammo. I also had a Remington Rand .45 with two extra magazines. I was a lowly 2nd LT. and wore no rank on my uniform. The enemy was always invisible but left his or her calling card in the form of boby traps or sniper fire. There were times when I ran out of ammo. Gun Related~

Here is a link to my unit: http://www.538thlc.com/articles/cc471.html
 
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lamarw

Maybe it depends on what VA hospital you go to. I use the one in Hot Springs South Dakota (voted one of the best in the country by vets).

Every since I've been using it they been asking about possible AO symptoms.

Last year they detected what might be prostate cancer, and started processing the AO complaint, but found out it was OK.

My wife broke her back at the first part of this war (summer of '03). She's got three rods between her shoulder blades. Had no problem getting 80% disability.

Never had any problems with the VA here. Excellent service.

If they turn you down, appeal and keep appealing. Make like a Paratrooper and NEVER GIVE UP.
 
Have you selected an advocate. Depending on were you live there a number of groups who will provide an advisor who will guide you through the process. they will make sure that your paper is complete and assiste you in obtaining necessary documentation.

The American Legion, and the DAV both have good reputations. It is important that you select a good advocate. They provide the service at no cost.

Thanks to President Bush the VA is required to provide you an Attorney if your claim is denied.

The process is long and hard. Be sure to include all of your problems in the initial application. If you exclude any the VA will use that omission as grounds to deny all or parts of your application. Case in point, I am working with a Spec Ops Marine who is being denied compensation for a severe spinal injury because he was not on active duty. They "lost" the DD 214 for that period of service. They found it only after the Marine sent his congressman a copy of the package which was given to the VA.

The process is long and any omissions will cause further delays. Phoenix AZ region now averages over two years processing time for simple cases. A complicated case involving PTSD, Spec Ops Personnel may take as long as 15 years.

I have assisted a number of Vets in the process. If you want to talk please contact me by private message.
 
You don't need any advocates. There is a list of presumed SC conditions if you have been exposed to Agent Orange. I have attached it below.

"VA assumes that certain diseases can be related to a Veteran’s qualifying military service. We call these "presumptive diseases."
VA has recognized certain cancers and other health problems as presumptive diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during military service. Veterans and their survivors may be eligible for disability compensation or survivors' benefits for these diseases. Here is the current list.
 AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs
 Chronic B-cell Leukemias
A type of cancer which affects white blood cells
 Chloracne (or similar acneform disease)
A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA's rating regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
 Diabetes Mellitus Type 2
A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin
 Hodgkin’s Disease
A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia
 Ischemic Heart Disease
A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain
 Multiple Myeloma
A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow
 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue
 Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement
 Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides and resolve within two years after the date it began.
 Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA's rating regulations, it must be at least 10 percent disabling within one year of exposure to herbicides.
 Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men
 Respiratory Cancers (includes lung cancer)
Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus
 Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma)
A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues"
 
I was associated with the Chemical Corps for about two-thirds of my service time, which was in Europe. So now I get these questionaires from some study outfit asking about my health, though I've refused to participate. The last one was just last week, the one before was five years ago. Obviously the government is concerned enough to sutidy the problem if there is one.
 
Went to "Nam late 65, again Jan 70..

carried M-14 first 3 months of first tour, traded it for M-16. Second tour was a Captain, so had a 1911A1.

Second tour drank runoff rain water from Agent Orange "treated" area for 9 months of the 12 month tour.

My Dad died of natural causes (no prostrate cancer) at the age of 91. I was diagnosed with prostrate cancer at the age of 62. Filed a compensation claim with VA, 4 months after the surgery, and was awarded 100 % for 2 months, then 40% ever since. Used county VSO to file claim - VA hospital in Dallas. Private Doctor (Board Certified Urologist), covered by private health insurance.

I was told by the county VSO (Veteran Services Office) that I would have been given 100% for the first 6 months IF I had filed the claim as soon as I had the surgery, instead of waiting 4 months to do so. Well, first, I didn't know that. And, secondly, after a surgeon spends 2 and a half hours ripping your crotch out, then stapling it back together (33 surgical staples), you don't get around all that well for several months!

Having served in Field Artillery, I have a hearing loss. I was able to abscond with the original copies of all of my Army medical files, from age 20(TX A&M Cadet Corps) thru 11 years of active duty, and 17 years of Reserve duty. And every time I was given a physical, my hearing is documented as getting worse.

Filed a claim with VA, with these results:
Hearing loss IS Service Connected.
Compensation level = ZERO.:mad:

I asked the local VA rep WHAAAAT?

He said that means I qualify for a free hearing aid from VA, but no monetary compensation.

Moving right along - Ischemic Heart Disease = Agent Orange related.

Had triple bypass heart surgery at age 57 (1997). My father never had a clogged artery. VA included Ischemic Heart Disease in October, 2010 IIRC. I filed a claim in Nov, 2010. Got a call from a VA claims processor in Waco, TX a year later, telling me he was just starting to work my claim and should be through by Feb 2012 - nothing yet, April, 2012.

Oh, by the way, If I die of a heart attack (once my claim has been approved), the death certificate must say the cause of death is "Ischemic Heart Disease", not "heart attack", for my widow to get "Service Connected" death benefits. In this case, I'm all for exhuming the body if the coroner/Justice of the Peace gets it wrong on the Death Certificate.

Other guns used: M110 Self-Propelled 8 inch howitzer
M107 Self-Propelled 175 mm gun
M109 Self-Propelled 155 mm howitzer
M42 (?) Twin 40 mm "Duster" AAA gun
M? Quad 50 cal"Whispering Death" machine gun
M79, Single shot, break open 40 mm grenade launcher
M2 50 cal "Ma Deuce" machine gun
Faux gasse IED (command detonated)
M 60 7.62 NATO cal machine gun
 
fishpicker,

There is some good advice in this thread. My first impulse was to google "Agent Orange Registry" just to see who out there is available to help.

I hate to close a thread like this, but we continue our efforts to be fair.

This is actually off topic. This is not the best board for this discussion.

Closed.
 
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