You being the spouse rather than the actual veteran, you may or may not get to join. How do I find out about agent orange being used in Korea up by the DMZ during 1973 and 1974. Make sure you go to these appointments and provide as much evidence to support your claim as possible. Official websites use .gov File a claim for DIC at va.gov or find a good VA advocate to help you. ALL WHO SERVED DESERVE TO KNOW the answer/s to question/s being addressed. What about the other 4 years he was stuck to the damn oxygen? Respiratory Cancers, including Lung Cancer He was buried in the VA cemetery with honors . It would most likely be cheaper and distinctly faster to approve every damned request for benefits. My husband died in January 2021. Examined for Agent Orange four years ago. I have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. My electronics van had inch thick dust in it and all kinds of Vietnam paraphernalia hidden away on it. Iserved during the v nam war. I have Myesthemia Gravis but keep being denied. So probably not a budget buster. 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? This toxic exposure was preventable. If you get turned down you need to appeal and likely will then be called for an appointment to see a VA doctor. They helped us a lot. VA do the right thing. All from Agent Orange. She doesnt know war battles,,you just cant stop. Is it two feet from the perimeter? I served from 1968-68 with the first Marines . Contact a VSO at VA.GOV. My father was Franklin Coon served in Vietnam. Camp Lejune first 6 months of 71. We have been fighting a long battle with no success! You get a whole 10% for it! The VA inform us that we did have a claim but that they were giving funds to the children that were still alive. If you have filed a claim with the VBA since your diagnosis in 2010, the VA SHOULD be contacting you. My late husband was. Good Luck! My dad was poisoned by AO during the war doing decon of planes from Vietnam. To this day I have Hypothyroidism and asthma which are two of the side effects in children whos parent was exposed to Agent Orange. File photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |, To cut costs, Amazon delays completion of second headquarters, closes retail stores. Please switch auto forms mode to off. Offspring of AO exposed veterans often get tumors. When I returned to the USA I was stationed at Camp LeJeune and exposed to Benzene in the drinking water and suffered bladder cancer. My husband, Tom Spinks died of Parkinsons Disease so I was reading about this and thought this may be a place to find Robert. What about us SEA Vets who did not have boots in Vietnam? 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 ! Why has this taken so long to review?? The name Robert Bustamante appears in several states. I now suffer from diabetes and heart disease. Just about everywhere we went looked like the vegetation never existed! Good luck and God bless you. Im not sure if the new presumptive condition hypothyroidism is any different. People laughed at me at accused me of putting on. Everyday it is a fight with V.A. He passed in April of 2019 due to complications from his surgery. 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. Mekong Delta. The age group I am in seems to greatly effected with neuropathy and because we are not diabetics, the VA will not consider this ailment as a cause of Agent Orange. 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 . Mary L. Unfortunately you only had one year to continue his claim. Used bales of rags to clean it up. Heart breaking, hard to think about God bless all, Im just giving up. What really irritates me is that those of us that served after Vietnam had to clean the old warehoused equipment from Vietnam. My daughter was born with autism. My lawyers quit the case. Why not better support vets than pay people to not look for or accept job offers. I am a combat vet and 100% rated and served 38 years, but priorities are better at Medi Cal. I couldnt agree more. Or is it 500 feet? Im a child of a deceased Vietnam vet. So, good luck to any of you still living and fighting. Thats our job., Its still essentially a case-by-case basis, Chisholm said. To make an appointment call 920-448-4450 . I served 13 months north of Uijeongbu, Korea, during the time that they sprayed AO. I never used the VA health System for 35 years. A two-year investigation (2018- 2019) by DoD found no use, storage or transport of Agent Orange or other tactical herbicides in Guam, Okinawa, Panama, or a number of other countries where there had been speculation of use. He saw active duty the entire tour. Dont give up! 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. Yeah As a BT we used gallons of Toulene No respirator Had oil tank overflow on to mess deck about 1 inch deep. When will his cases be reopened and his wife notified? I was turned down cold! Will his cancer or children of male solders ever get any compensation? Is someone here have the truth? Neither is free, but I dont know how much they are. I have just about giving up on them. Vietnam 66,67 and 68. Veterans are STILL battling a war, this war with their own government. No One in my family ever had hypothyroidism [Graves] so when the VA took my Thyroid from me, [and chained me to 14 medications a day for the remainder of my life] in December 1997, it was a shock to everyone in my family!!! Prostate Cancer I had heart surgery in 1998 to remove the pericardial sac from my heart. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. Never seems to end. This should be examined by the V.A. 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. Youre absolutely correct. The VA even treats me for it but how do I get a claim approved? The person who told me to get copies of the VA Ordered DBQ stated that he fought with VA for more than twelve years before winning, I only applied two years ago and knew not, that I would have to fight like this in order to get what I feel that I am entitled too. I was proud to restore many F 111 A fighters environmental systems back to peak efficiency. Im glad these benefits are being added. FTVA! He had filed an Agent Orange claim several times. When I found out about this benefit 2012 I had remarried and was told I could get nothing. "In the United States, we take care of our fellow Americans who have been harmed in the course of their military service. Fortunately, I finally learned that the best way to deal with PTSD was to have a vigorous workout every day! There should be a 1-800-827-1000 number or something similar. What about veterans in operation restore democracy who were exposed to shit burning details? Does the theater include Guam and other stockpile locations in the South Pacific? March 3 (UPI) -- In a cost-saving move, retail giant Amazon announced Friday that it will delay construction on a planned second corporate headquarters dubbed "HQ2" in Arlington, Va. President Joe Biden thanks German chancellor for his nation's help in Ukraine. Why doesnt the VA recognize those of us who served in Thailand. Charles, Dennis, Edward, Elliott, Gary, Harold, James, Jeppie, Jerry, John (3), Joseph, Patrick, Paul, Robert (2), Roy, Steve, Terry, Thomas & Willy. VA will not make them wait any longer. That will make U.S. military veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange eligible for the VA's disability compensation benefits. They owe it to you. I am 70. 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. 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. Good luck everyone getting what you deserve. Longshot, but were you there in 68 as well. 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. Its about time! I also drank a lot of water and ate healthy foods. Signed no respect. I still dont understand why skin cancers are not recognized of all things that were exposed SKIN. Google Okinawa and Agent Orange. Problem is I am the sole surviver. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). Lung transplant, Nov 1st, 2014. You also have to I do have one subjection: STOP starting wars. File, ASAP; they only go from initial claim date. After 2 and years of much pain and suffering he died December 21 2020. I am a Viet Nam era vet: Denied, Denied and Denied, back pain. of the V.A. Nam Infantry grunt. Bustamante, who served in the Marines with my husband stateside during the VietNam years. God bless, I hope somehow something proper comes your way. Skinner acknowledges that he can get health care from the VA. We have suffered similar ailments. I refuse to die just to piss them off! 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. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. Big deal! Why are we waiting 5 months to this to be awarded? I sent in my biopsy showing prostate cancer and my Bronze Star commendation for service in country. Had been notified that i will receive 30% disability for being contaminated with AO and the Rainbow Herbicide agents. I know of another individual who served in Vietnam and has the exact condition. I wish they would provide some care or help for my brother and I. Weve fought very hard through chemo and our cancer. Sounds like the guys are finally getting what they deserve. I am a VSO and I always get comments that the VA is That is partly correct. But somebody reviewed my application almost immediately (a good thing and to be commended) and determined that the request could proceed. Already showing problems, and cancer would certainly be the worst. 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. Thank you for nothing. I, at least, now have survivor benefits to help me in retirement. I dont think anyone in VA cares. At 40, I already had two heart operations (outside the VA). Smfh!! If you have a copy of his DD214 and / or know the unit he was in you have a starting point. I remember very well. After that, the Agent Orange benefits coordinator became difficult to reach. Hows that for depression. (They are dumb animals that fight our foreign wars for our interest) SORRY BUT THIS WAS NAVEL INTERN BY FAR NOT A DUMB ANIMAL. Over two years in one place. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. US kept all the Nerve gas and Orange on the Island until 1995. Felton Charles Barnes, what about exposure to mad cow disease? My husband had Lewy Body Dementia for twelve years that we know of and then had Parkinsons the last three years of his life. They have requested information for my diseases but I have never heard back from them. The only reason not to add it is the cost. That is why he called me! 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.. Then renal cancer which was not presumptive at the time. Developed diabetes. Was not easy but with their help it can be done. The burn pits too were gross also! Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 1968-70, then back on Okinawa 1970-72. You cant win. 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! There is more to that in his records and he died from cancer. PRESUMPTIONS OF SERVICE CONNECTION FOR DIS-2 EASES ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO CER- 3 TAIN HERBICIDE AGENTS FOR VETERANS 4 WHO SERVED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE 5 REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. hcwjr/ponyhunter98 Questions sent to the offices of Portman and U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton. Multiple Myeloma My husband served 20 years in the USMC and served in the Vietnam War in 1968. Daniel Clark Berg. I dont know dates ir anything and sadly my mother passed a few months back and I have no other family to ask. Its a shame how they treated him once he got sick. At least Korean and Vietnam combat veterans should be 100%, eliminate the bureaucracy. VA says Prove it. I trusted the authorities in charge completely. While we were trying to eat in a overhead tarp, the smoke from the burn pits went right through where we were eating!! Good luck. I served in Vietnam as A combat engineer 1968 and 69. 2021, which came back approved on March 22, 2021.) So much for all those people and ads saying welcome home. They can never repay me for my loses or my daughters! . Operation Ranch Hand. Later I would receive bills for the co-pay and my insurance at work was charged $1,800.00! Almost every county has These conditions include: Bladder Cancer Hypothyroidism : A condition occurs when the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones i have contacted attorneys to fight for me. Are you serious?! Between the Benzine in the JP4 that I breathed, the Asbestos and Oils on the Tuluga, and the God knows what on the other ships it is a no wonder that I have COPD. Are you, or someone you know, struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder? VA is establishing a holistic approach to determining toxic exposure presumption going forward. He was assigned to the 14th Engr Combat Battalion attached to the 1st Cav airmobile division. 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. What about bases here in the states that stored or disposed of barrels of Agent Orange, like Camp Pendleton? Thank God for the one Veteran who talked me into trying one more timeand for the state of Arkansas VSO. What a deal if you were in county flying into defoliated areas it doesnt count. Ancestry.com has a military lookup feature, and there is a website called vetfriends.com. 67-68 Tet. It took several days to call me back. Planes and Choppers spraying directly over us wile sweeping the area No portable water. H.R.2569 - Veterans Agent Orange Exposure Equity Act 117th Congress (2021-2022) Bill Hide Overview More on This Bill Constitutional Authority Statement CBO Cost Estimates [0] Subject Policy Area: Armed Forces and National Security View subjects Summary (1) Text (1) Actions (3) Titles (2) Amendments (0) Cosponsors (14) Committees (1) I asked about skin conditions she laughter and told me only after exposure, I showed he phots by military hospital of neck, she said to late! Log on to VA.GOV. "Many of those who have been exposed are living with cancers, heart disease or Parkinson's disease. Are they eligible for Agent Orange benefits? Not enough die yet? Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976. Good luck!! This spraying occurred a number of times during my time at Anderson AFB in the area we called Marlboro Country. Even if I never see one additional dollar in compensation, it makes my day to see them put in print that yes, Agent Orange exposure causes Hypothyroidism {Graves] Disease!!! Treasury sanctions three Russians for imprisonment of opposition leader. 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 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. I had this similar experience-only served immediately after the Vietnam conflict, on a LPH THAT TRANSPORTED agent orange, helicopters and, was deployed to south east Asia, and we took it to dry dock. We get no information about others who have, or had, this incurable disease. I served on a PBR river boat on the mekong in 1971. Monetary as well as medical and other benefits. The VA took his money back, told me he was dead and wouldnt need a check anyway and his children could not receive anything from his estate nor file for compensation. The VA hasnt even approved private therapy to assist me with my exceedingly difficult situation. He has heart problems, diabetes, neuropathy. They took away my health and my youth and replaced it with an endless routine of jumping through hoops to get basic healthcare needs, and now, as my body rapidly deteriorates, I will be forced to keep working until I die, which wont be soon enough. Pour toulene on rag, wipe up, and repeat. He passed away July 2012. I guess the VA is waiting for me to check out completely. many times not waiting the 30 minutes to drink. secondary diseases you can file a claim for. Take your claims information to a Veterans Service Officer and get advice before filing the claim. I was soon denied because I was on the wrong colored water. so even severe asthma and many other issues, where do we go . He filed a claim but died before the VA completed his claim. 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? Any Veteran who is contaminated on the Job regardless of timeframe deserves help. If you did not file a claim in 2010, you need to file a claim for disability benefits. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. Be well, Bobby. A large group of now grown children swapping stories and advocating for change. The representative we now have is efficient and helpful. Now , wondering if i am incorrect?? I did not receive any cash benefits for coming in contact with agent orange. What a slap in the face!! At around 60 I took on the fight which took 14 months of going through their hoops, fighting for assistance. Millions are suffering from mental illness, exacerbated by the pandemic. Did you carry/transfer AO to our ship or have any records? VA is initiating rulemaking to consider adding respiratory conditions, which may include asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis, to the list of chronic disabilities based on an association with military service in Southwest Asia, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan during the covered periods of conflict. I am a Blue water Vietnam Veteran that severed three tours off the coast of Vietnam. We filed a claim 2 years ago and recently received a denial. It's not clear how many veterans would be affected by the change. My father recently passed but was %100 sec connected whatever that means. 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. 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. The VA did well with him in his final years. I received a letter that said if I divorced or became a widow I could.get.the benefit. March 3 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden on Friday recognized retired Army Col. Paris D. Davis with the Medal of Honor for his gallantry during a firefight in the Vietnam War in which he saved his fellow soldiers despite being injured. Nov 4, 2021 The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program Mission Partner Awards 2021; October 2021 Oct 29, 2021 . If not, I dont know where to go from here. I had no idea the Government was actually compensating servicemen exposed to such danger. If none of these is a match, please let me know so I wont continue to look for a reply from you. Im a diabetic, I have high blood pressure. 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. I am trying to find out more about other vets exposed to Agent Orange who have been diagnosed with Scleroderma. Will his claim be reviewed now in light of the new findings? My husband also served 67-68 with the Army, from DaNang, all the way up to the DMZ at Camp Evans as an Engineer attached to the 1st Cav. This page list resources for Vietnam veterans exposed to agent organce, including certain Blue Water Navy veterans. Good luck. I am not a diabetic which seems to be one of the main items that is considered for VA benefits. I was there for a short period of time. He was a body builder & very health conscious! This check was blood tests and 20 minutes with the Doctor who was more interested in possible PSTD than anything. It took a number of years, once bladder cancer was put on the potential list , to be approvedwaiting patiently. 5/60, 3/60. Lawrence I am so very sorry to hear what they are doing in FAILING to recognize and properly 1) take care of your situation and 2) acknowledge responsibility and approve full 100% benefits. Never! My husband served 68-69 in country. I still believe I was subjected to Agent Orange. 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. Bob was trying to get that letter rescinded at the time he died.. Markers after three years are good thank goodness. What do I have to do. Is it possible that affects of agent orange were passed to him? In one case, at Gulfport, Mississippi, new information received from a Veteran led to changes for that site on the list. Sol Bobst is a great guy. Im in pain everyday now, had 3 amputations, and not given any pain meds because it could be habit forming! This can never happen again! I wish I live near you so we help each other out to ease the stress! Ive literally suffered for over 40 years with serious digestive problems, heart & breathing problems. Hard of hearing!! My siblings and I have more then one of the affects from my fathers exsposure. When I put in a claim for the Agent Orange ( had a daughter that nearly died from a heart condition and a son 3 years later died of heart complications) were totally denied! Just my venting and 2 cents worth, nothing more,nothing will change. Does anybody know about it ? 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. My dad died March 6 2021 of non-hodgkin lymphoma, he was a Marine in Camp Leguene 1963&64. Guess it only matters how you became exposed. Now my question is, how do I file another appeal, and add these issues to my claim? I served aboard a world war II ship from 1968 to 1970 that had asbestos through out the ship. HELP! Also contact your federal congressional Rep. in Washington and inform his office of your issue. Thats what we do; we get creative, Mineer said. 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 do believe that those who RUN / ruin the VA truly dont care and are pencil pushers who are only there for that government paycheck. 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.