For more information, visit our website at Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures Public Health. 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? Aside thought it would go away as it did some times at night after battle .talk to me V A . Come guys -get serious you know it was all over that island! Google agent orange diseases and symptoms breakdown. The VA to me at this point in time is absolutely useless! article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } Skinner, who has fought prostate cancer since 2018, has gone through 44 treatments of radiation therapy. I served three tours from 1967 to 1972, mostly in Thailand. Because the government claims it was never there I have had no success in being compensated. 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. 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. AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE . But trying very hard to keep him home and providing total cares. Those conditions are bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism. I also acquired Grovers Disease (a rare skin disorder, where the glue dissolves around your skin cells). The VA inform us that we did have a claim but that they were giving funds to the children that were still alive. Im not sure if the new presumptive condition hypothyroidism is any different. The review board keeps telling me this every time I refile after a new presumptive condition gets named, all five of them as of this writing. 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. If you were denied they will contact you, you do not need to submit another claim. 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. 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 will we be covered? He loved the Army. (PROGRESSIVE Supranucler PALSY). As a 30 year retired United States Air Force Disabled Veteran, I have prayed for this day to come. Best to submit quickly and keep copies of everything in one file. I am a Vietnam vet who is diabetic and I have ischemic heart disease, both of which are presumptive for Vietnam. Im a diabetic, I have high blood pressure. Veterans been contaminated by TCE and Benzene for decades, and add agent orange and whatever in combat areas and you have mess that has been created in USA. My buddy was Merle Stinger and he is missed GREATLY! 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. But not to veterans in Thailand at least, not yet. 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. I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River for 5 years in the early and mid 80s. I trusted the authorities in charge completely. I went back in time and pulled up my old ships log and was shocked to see the ships daily log showing injuries to my fellow sailors falling down stairs, broken finger, stitches on their scalp and splints on their fingers but sent right on back to work, it happened to me also but now I find out that no records were kept. This country was sprayed with agent orange. My husband, who is a Vietnam vet, has scleroderma. Oral, lung, esophagus, colon, prostrate, blood but not the stomach? Should we reopen his case for this? And on it goes now they are concerned again? i get the burn pits for these folks 100% 2/9th Marines were station at Pohang Korea training with the ROK Marines August 1975 for 30 days we had burn pits also we stood guard no more than 20 away with black smoke in the air debris burning and going on your utilities plastics/human waste/metal/unspent rds u guarded for hrs our hooches were only 100 away and u got the smoke as u slept also why are these not considered burn pits is it to let the older Marines die off so u go with the younger Marines first and these younger Marines sure deserve all they get but like agent orange with the 3 new aliments all these years later let the folks die first then include us why is the va not including all of us big black billows of smoke u sniff in when u stood guard/slept but for some odd ass reason we are not included peace. 45 years to get in the VA! March 3 (UPI) -- The Treasury Department Friday sanctioned three Russian individuals for human rights abuses against a prominent Russian opposition leader. The only reason not to add it is the cost. VAs review supports initiation of rulemaking to address the role that particulate matter pollution plays in generating chronic respiratory conditions, which may include asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis for Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War and/or after September 19, 2001, or in Afghanistan and Uzbekistan during the Persian Gulf War. I would like to know how many vets exposed to Agent Orange have gotten this rare autoimmune disease. My late husband was a mess sergeant and somehow field combat training. File a claim at va.gov. Airmobile Division. Dont give up. Then the following week I get a letter saying I missed my appt. In 2016 with the help of an attorney, was finally approved for Ischemic Heart Disease but only has a 60% disability rate. 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), benefits related to Agent Orange exposure, Call TTY if you
Parkinsons? New Conditions Added to Agent Orange Presumptive List January 15, 2021 Updated: January 30, 2023 Three new conditions were recently added to the list of presumptive conditions for which the Department of Veterans Affairs grants service connection to Vietnam War veterans affected by exposure to the chemical herbicide Agent Orange. After many years of dealing with the VA in Iowa City, I got him in to Danville, Illinois VA. THANKS FOR POSTING THIS FOR THE VETERNS IN NEED OF HELP. My dad died on my 57 birthday. He has heart problems, diabetes, neuropathy. I hurt all over, can only get 40%. If you would like my help just let me know. Still had to go back and help clean. Id be better off living overseas in a country with universal healthcare, which we did for four years but were penalized 10% for each year that we lived abroadnearly $800/month forever from Social Secure/Medicareor even just using my Medicare than being forced to rely on approval from the VA for Community Care: far superior to anything the VA has to offer. Rob Portman is listed as a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 657, which would modify the presumption of a service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicides while serving in Thailand. Never! I also came back to Vietnam as Is blue water navy on the USS st. Louis. I hope this isnt a Hurry up and wait. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs mandates that veterans who served in southeast Asian countries other than Vietnam during the war provide evidence of exposure to the herbicide in order to qualify for benefits. Or is it 500 feet? while going through a colnoscopy when i was told they (the doctors and my team care givers) had been looking at my thyroid glans and let me know that they have concerns. We get no information about others who have, or had, this incurable disease. Iraq war vets facing similar problems with VA that Vietnam vets had to put up with.. Whats new?. My husband and I are both 100% disabled vets and if I could increase my disability to more I would! But the prospects for those bills is uncertain at this point. My dad died March 6 2021 of non-hodgkin lymphoma, he was a Marine in Camp Leguene 1963&64. is like a slow boat to Chinathat never arrives! Make your claim ASAP if you havent already. Shouldnt the VA have records of pulmonary following him those 4 years with repeat chest x-rays to monitor deterioration of his COPD? Died 6 years ago of AO related lung 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. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |, To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores. If one of them matches the first name you have I can keep going. This goes on all the timeIm hung up on constantly, if I call 3 times they just hang up on me 3 times. Saigon was actually worse as there was no garbage collection and large roadside dumps along Plantation road were set on fire periodically. 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. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 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. They give you up to a year to provide any additional evidence if needed. 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. But somebody reviewed my application almost immediately (a good thing and to be commended) and determined that the request could proceed. I marked it off and put in my Training Jacket. I also am a cancer survivor. Never hear much about this treatment and the affect it had. Why bother filing again? Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255 Text to 838255 to Get Help NOW . Guess it only matters how you became exposed. I wish they would provide some care or help for my brother and I. Weve fought very hard through chemo and our cancer. Our son was conceived on that base. We were exposed to the chemicals daily, and I was at Camp Lejeune during the water contamination years. ABF3 USS HORNET (CVS-12). Please reapply! Does the theater include Guam and other stockpile locations in the South Pacific? And BTW! When I returned to the USA I was stationed at Camp LeJeune and exposed to Benzene in the drinking water and suffered bladder cancer. The VA is worse than the Post Office. In October 2020, the VA denied Xenia resident and Thailand veteran Paul Skinner compensation for what Skinner believed was Agent Orange exposure, with the VA informing Skinner in a letter: Your personnel records still fail to show that during your duties you were exposed to Agent Orange or tactical herbicides while performing daily duty assignments at Udom (Royal Thai Air Force Base).. 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 passed in April of 2019 due to complications from his surgery. We need to be filling their mailboxes with our concerns as often as possible. I will however continue to fight until I take my last breath! Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. Im his daughter I was born in 1964 and I have Parkinsons and dystonia and other nurogical problems, and a brain DBS implant, all because of Dystonia, these diseases do not run in either side of my familys. 807 Maine Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20024 Phone (202) 554-3501 Fax (202) 863-0233 www.dav.org ISSUE BRIEF: Agent Orange in Thailand during Vietnam Era A few years later they said oh yeah well give you hearing aides but your not service connected. So good luck to all who are still fighting the fight. Hello Jerry Never wait to be notified. They will help you with your compensation claim. My husband, Tom Spinks died of Parkinsons Disease so I was reading about this and thought this may be a place to find Robert. How did you find proof that the chemicals you mentioned can cause Scleroderma. Judy, My 1st duty station was Task Force Delta as is shown in my records. A Youngstown man exposed to agent orange settles with the VA but not as he wished. Always wondered if the bullet in his leg had something to do with developing cancer. is not going to do anything unless forced tothen they will make a big deal about it,make sure everyone knows,then after a year maybe 2 they will start to reduce benefits, I have recurring bladder cancer, since 2005 it has come back several times, and also several times with precancerous cells that has to be lasered out,went from 100% reduced to 60% because the V.A. He died three years ago from penile cancer, a horrific disease. All we were tuned too was Search and Destroying the enemy! He was 32 years old when he died and left me with our two children, Colleen, 4 1/2 and John, 15 months old. In early 2012 he was diagnosed with bladder cancer, liver cancer and it was in his bones also. I now have reduced kidney function arthritis and multiple degenerative muscle skeletal issues. 1. Respiratory diseases?? Sorry for your loss. The PPA has not been considered. We have suffered as well. But they were all sprayed.. The VA said his disease, of which there was no family history, was not related to his service and he didnt live long enough to see that changed. Good luck to you. I have had nightmares about the smell of shlt. Not one time has anyone at the VA offered to help me with claims or appeals for any of these issues. VA will be publishing the PACT Act Performance Dashboard every other Friday to measure the implementation of PACT Act and showcase its impact on Veterans and survivors. We have learned to never trust our government. My father was Franklin Coon served in Vietnam. Already showing problems, and cancer would certainly be the worst. Needle in a haystack. The burn pits were operating no matter which way the wind was blowing. They call me to cancel an appt. Fumes over came and some had to be taken out in to fresh air. Good luck and God bless you all. The administration has known for years agent orange was killing VN vets. VIETNAM AND THAILAND VETERANS . I sat in the chair, demanded him to look and waited for his lazy ass to find it! In the following link you will be able to find a representative by searching State or County listings. Knowing the approximate age of Robert will eliminate some of the other Roberts. I am 70. Why isnt high blood pressure approved as a presumptive under Agent Orange? Please contact to see someone from the American Legion Office Or others organizations as such that help Vets to file claims for higher disabilities and compensations. 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 still dont understand why skin cancers are not recognized of all things that were exposed SKIN. A spokeswoman for the Department of Veterans Affairs declined an interview but offered to answer questions in writing. This condition, nor the degenerative joint disease I am dealing with, is covered as presumptive by the VA for the Camp Lejeune water contamination affected veterans. Veterans organizations have been fighting for this for years and it took an act of Congress to make it happen because the VA denied or ignored all scientific evidence. Problem is I am the sole surviver. 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 could go on and on. Denied for tinnitus after action in Vietnam. Why hide the truth? We contacted A/O via A/O being washed down the mountains into the Tonkin Gulf. If you already filed, find a VA advocate that is passionate about their job and will fight to get you the benefits you are entitled to. Ancestry is likely your best bet. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. He had a friend who was killed in 68 that was the only one he ever spoke of, and it traumatized him for life. Thank you for your time in reviewing this note. Im an Anniston vet. Lack of a presumption of herbicide exposure does not prevent veterans from demonstrating through competent evidence that they were exposed to herbicidal agents and that such exposure is sufficiently related to a current disability to warrant disability compensation.. Typically, veterans need to prove -- usually through medical exams and service records -- that their injuries and illnesses are directly connected to time spent in the military, Military Times noted. The VA even treats me for it but how do I get a claim approved? Camp Lejune first 6 months of 71. Doctor told me heart ( VA has me on meds, surgery in 2002) not in AO conditions. Are you serious?! Because all the perimeters were sprayed with various types of herbicides with dioxin in it. What about us SEA Vets who did not have boots in Vietnam? Appointments. The name Robert Bustamante appears in several states. I am amazed that the VA believes burn pit issues only affect those serving in the more recent SW Asia campaigns. My husband was a patient at the Temple VA for decades. He said he worked in areas close to base fencelines and perimeters, sometimes chaining down jets to run the engines, which would actually kick up dust and dirt everywhere around the aircraft.. I was in vietnam Quonlo for 14 months. The burn pits too were gross also! Hard of hearing as well. Im 43 now and one of my two sisters from a different mother has health problems as well. Nov 4, 2021 The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Mission Partner Awards 2021; October 2021 Oct 29, 2021 . 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. The investigation did confirm use or tests in additional sites and dates in other locations. Its on the VAs own list of bases. So, good luck to any of you still living and fighting. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) are renewing their bipartisan effort to support veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War-era by allowing them the opportunity to prove toxic exposure in order to qualify for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. That is why he called me! But, the side affects still exist and the damage is done and on going. Most counties have at least one. He passed away July 2012. Big news from Iceland Feb. 2021 in the amount of lead in the base, NASKEF, drinking water in the late 90s. I have other health issues also. How can I get information sent to me for adding the disability due to Hypothyroidism? My husband served three tours in Vietnam and died a horrible death seven years ago of four of the diseases named. A Guide to Strengthening Your Thailand Agent Orange Exposure Claim Edward M. Farmer is a U.S. Army veteran and an attorney. The bill was last referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs in June. I served in Thailand at the end of the war as a crew chief on F-4s. I have read articles where the VA is talking about neuropathy being caused by Agent Orange if you do not have diabetes. Thank God for the one Veteran who talked me into trying one more timeand for the state of Arkansas VSO. Trump legal team requests six-month delay in New York civil lawsuit. Will her claim be in archives with the Army I even got a claim number. We were kicked to the curb. Pay them. Each disease is rated from 5% to 100%, then 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. His primary care doctor believes this was a result of exposure to Agent Orange but a VSO has submitted a claim on my behalf for him. Sorry, but I dont have the time or ability to bear the burden of responsibility when it comes to proving this issue. So many of these Vietnam era vets have already passed from this BS. March 3 (UPI) -- At a White House meeting on Friday, President Joe Biden thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for Germany's "profound" help in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine. Nam Vet [69 71] That presumption has been expanded to blue-water Navy veterans. My Dad served aboard the USS Rutherford B. Hayes in the Philippines and Southeast Asia in WWII. I try to kick it by running and staying healthy but to no avail. AL Amyloidosis Reapply. If you are a Veteran in crisis I have one of the birth defects listed other than spinabifida.Is there no hope for compensation for the children of Male Vietnam Vets? Good luck. Every time I went to the local VA clinic for my 6 month wellness check there was supposed to be now charge for this. Over the course of a year, we recently lost 100,000 sons, daughters, moms, and dads to drug overdoses. Enlisted USMC, 2nd BN, 26th Marines, 9th MAB (Battalion Landing Team), I-Corp, 1968-69, Combat Field Radio (PRC-25) Radio Operator. Been diagnosed, had surgery with a lifetime of chemo and radiation. 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. We have suffered similar ailments. Keep fighting my brothers an sisters. I suggest you keep applying as the last Sect. That is all they are waiting for ? VA will not make them wait any longer. It will make it much easier if you know a state he has lived in. I send my prayers to you during this difficult time. What about soldiers who served in Vietnam AND South Korea both of which resorted in exposure to Agent Orange? They caved and gave me assistance for my heart/circulatory issues, along with a hearing loss (grenade damaged) and tinnitus. Your Vet must reapply or up dating his File with new conditions ,etc.to get higher rating and more benefits such as nursing home , etc.also you as his caregiver you can register with VA caregiver support Orgonization to become his sole caregiver at home then you may be able to quality for compensation as well. I served in Viet Nam Nov 70 -Nov 71, at Anloc VN and was diagnosed in 2010 with hypothyroidism. Are you, or someone you know, struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder? I know he was in Khe Sahn and went on to the DMZ by the time he got out of Nam. Right!!!!! Our son was conceived when we lived there. Suggest you contact your local Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter. When I got home I worked at NASA Moffitt Field and then got a job as a Pipefitter for Local 38 and worked first on an Oiler USNS TALUGA in Oakland Docks, and at the Naval Dry docks at San Francisco Triple -A 3rd street on DD, FF, Destroyers, and the USN supply ship Mars . VA kept telling him he had to PROVE he was unemployable at the age of 63 when he had already retired and was on Social Security because he didnt have the stamina to hold a job. have them find out what the procedure is? Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Sol Bobst is a great guy. As I understand it Walter Reed Army Hospital conducted trial (experimental) treatments on him to no avail. I served in Desert Storm and continued serving in SWA on and off for another14 years with my last mission in 2004. They didnt even recognize Agent Orange exposure back then. 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. VA says Prove it. The VA refuses to acknowledge any of my service-connected disabilities. How long until a decision is made on an agent orange applied November 2019. Without his help I would never had gotten anything. They treated us so well in Danville.. Comprehensive testing, detailed conversation and claims approved! I am trying to find out more about other vets exposed to Agent Orange who have been diagnosed with Scleroderma. I wonder if it is a matter of large numbers of affected vets and the large amount of money that would have to be paid? I would bet that those who are now in charge or have recently been in charge of the VA are those very same college students from the 60s and 70s! If you have a copy of his DD214 and / or know the unit he was in you have a starting point. . I was stationed at Camp Jackson near Uijeongbu for 16 months in 67 and 68, and spent some of that time in the DMZ establishing artillery survey control. My husband had a buddy who died there in 68, and all I knew was his unit and first name. Its shameful how they have forgotten us. I was brown water navy for three or four months and had exposure to ground troops who were barracks on the APD 40 Nueces where I and others had to tear down their bunks when we decommissioned our ship. A little compensation for BenefitsHealthNews ReleasesSecretary's PrioritiesTop Stories.