He was diagnosed with bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Was on duty there when Hurricane Camille hit Gulfport, MS and was deployed down there for rescue and recovery. Trying to add timeframes is like saying one person can have same contamination but we dont care because it was before a war period. Our son was conceived on that base. 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. He passed in April of 2019 due to complications from his surgery. Then renal cancer which was not presumptive at the time. 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 understand that there are backlogs and staffing limits. The VA hasnt even approved private therapy to assist me with my exceedingly difficult situation. have hearing loss. My self I got a bloody nose and sore throat. I guess we should be happy that we survived Nam but now we are paying for it 50 plus years later..good luck! And I wanted to try to talk to him, Ellen Spinks. I have only 50% due to diabetes and diabetic neuropathic . At age 59 I had my first rare cancer, thyroid and later a 2nd cancer even rarer Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in my abdomen. Respiratory Cancers, including Lung Cancer I am tired all the time and I beat myself up for being lazy! We have a wonderful VA home in Sulphur Oklahoma. If you have filed a claim with the VBA since your diagnosis in 2010, the VA SHOULD be contacting you. VA and the Department of Defense (DoD) have partnered together to investigate where and when Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides were present, and to update thelist of locations online as new information becomes available. 2021, which came back approved on March 22, 2021.) I wont hold my breath (mainly because I cant hold it too long) that the government will ever compensate me or any of my brothers and sisters in my lifetime. Thailand veterans harmed by Agent Orange hope Congress will hear them Caption Local News By Thomas Gnau Nov 1, 2021 Legislation addresses presumption that Thailand vets weren't exposed to. We didnt know what killed all the vegetation in many areas on Searching and Destroy missions? https://www.nacvso.org/find_service_officers/category-865ca542-2c72-4d1a-adac-56061f573562.aspx. He was shot in the leg by the Japanese. 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. I have just about giving up on them. However, there was a terrible consequence: Exposure to Agent Orange resulted in cancer, birth defects, and other significant ailments. He has to apply and use a catheter twice a day, something he expects to do for the rest of his life. I find.your comment of interest as I just had spinal surgery three weeks ago (Lumbar Laminotomy L2-L5). My husband was a Vietnam vet. He served with 101st airborne in Vietnam in 67 and 68. Agent orange was used there in the training areas and the area was not declared clear until 1994. Go see a VA service representative. "Our veterans are heroes and deserve to be treated as such. Agent Orange in Thailand. When I returned to the states in April 72 I went to the VA in Pittsburgh, pa hoping to get some counseling for stress. VA will send letters to impacted Veterans and survivors. My father was in Vietnam this same period he died 25 years ago from Pancreatic Cancer. Tsgt Myers. Thank you. Millions are suffering from mental illness, exacerbated by the pandemic. Had peripheral neuropathy that was diagnosed early because he also had injuries so he qualified for that when years later he made a claim. My sense is these bills have a chance, but I just dont know how good a chance, attorney Chisholm said. It took several days to call me back. Veteran frustrated by denied Agent Orange exposure claims - KRIS My husband did 2 tours in Vietnam and we were in the process of trying to see if he qualified for disability at but he died before we got to far along. HS6 and HC7, both performed Search and Rescue and HC7 was the US NAVYs ONLY COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE SQUADRON IN VIETNAM. He (McHenry) was a walking encyclopedia of information, Skinner said. 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. 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. Ischemic Heart Disease (including Coronary Artery Disease, stable and unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death) I believe the airmen who were stationed in Anderson AFB in Guam were also exposed to Agent Orange. My brother in law, a brother since I was little, proud marine, two tours Vietnam, didnt see his first born until she was six months old, died recently of a heart attack brought on by extreme pain and after suffering for years with a brain deteriorating disease caused by AGENT ORANGE. I couldnt agree more. My husband died at the age of 88 in Colombia, from a cardiorespiratory arrest, his diagnosis of Epoc, hypothyroidism, Parkinsons, osteoarthritis and Alzhaymer, these were presented to him from 2015 in Colombia, could it be a consciousness of the war chemicals? I am looking for Robert? Both VA and DoD welcome new information on locations for the historical testing or use of tactical herbicides. How is sht burning not considered exposure to particulate matters? And on it goes now they are concerned again? My Father Thomas H. Wilson Sr. (Deceased) died on February 14, 1986, after a gruesome battle with Bone, Lung, and, Stomach cancer. Time is running out for these veterans, Brown said in an email. My husband now has a 240% disability rating with T&P and we got the final ratings through the American Legion. Why isnt high blood pressure approved as a presumptive under Agent Orange? God help us! It took 5 years before I got anything from the VA. What do I do now? I, at least, now have survivor benefits to help me in retirement. My husband died from gastric cancer and according to the appeals board so did many other Viet Nam Vets. I was at mountain home afb 1975 to 1980. Does the theater include Guam and other stockpile locations in the South Pacific? If you are a Veteran in crisis I hear you my brother Vietnam vet recently died two tours Vietnam suffered with brain disease, I see some talking months of waiting, Im talking decades he waited, working yes but suffering, wife and family suffering. I hadnt heard about the Ft. McClellen exposure. Plus i didnt know i had all tha hissing noises rushing air noises till i got out of service. Is anyone else aware of this. Id be contacting your advocate asap and get your claim going! i have contacted attorneys to fight for me. I feel like Charlie Brown kicking his football and our government is Lucy and like Lucy our government will pull the rug out from all of us. Named for the colored stripe painted on its barrels, Agent Orange best known for its widespread use by the U.S. military to clear vegetation during the Vietnam War is notorious for being. God bless, I hope somehow something proper comes your way. We have been fighting a long battle with no success! 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. When my husband died in 2010, he couldnt even find the paperwork to apply for a grave marker. So many of these Vietnam era vets have already passed from this BS. VA denied it being service connected! I have Myesthemia Gravis but keep being denied. 2. I could go on and on. Do it ASAP as Im sure many will be doing the same,, GOOD LUCK!!! No one ever told me and zi was too busy trying to survive and raise two kids with a bad case of PTSD and other conditions that affected them! You were boots on ground during the required times. Hi..I was in the army, 1963 thru 1966.was in the Infantry as a weapon squad leader saving many lives an this tinnitus is bad . I remember that I often awakened in my BOQ (the Idaho) to almost choking smells of burning garbage. My VARO retired. Anyone out there know anything about vets and scleroderma? The VA to me at this point in time is absolutely useless! The term agent orange has to be removed from any claim and replaced with herbicide which is a denial by our VA that the chemical was used to defoliate the perimeters of all the air basis in Thailand. Good luck! This mysterious delay is not helping. Markers after three years are good thank goodness. Im glad that those exposed to Agent Orange are FINALLY getting some progress with the VA and federal government. 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. Turner hassupported similar legislationin the past. I did go to the VA . Boozman, Tester Fight for Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange During Service in Thailand. Since this law took effect in early January, 2020, under the previous administration Im not sure why the Secretary is crowing about it. There was a lot of Agent Orange used in the area. Thank you for nothing. 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 served there in 1975-76 and returned in 1988 and stayed until retirement in 1992. We get no information about others who have, or had, this incurable disease. BREAKING: VA plans expansion of benefits for disability claims for Contact a VSO at VA.GOV. Over the course of a year, we recently lost 100,000 sons, daughters, moms, and dads to drug overdoses. It's not clear how many veterans would be affected by the change. In 2017, he was no longer able to communicate and was unable to control his bowel movements. Now that I am retired I have been diagnosed with asthma, sinusitis and rhinitis. Pass this info to everyone who was exposed to chemicals from Vietnam. FTVA! The timeframe addition is discrimination within our own ranks and we dont do that. Thats why I ask, is there anybody left? These, mostly men, werent thanked for their service, werent cheered as they arrived home. When I put in for it in Topeka Kansas I was told I could not collect until the Navies law suit was completely processed. My husband served 68-69 in country. Veteran's win leaves glimmer of hope for others who served in Thailand I now have Parkinsons, off course VA denied my claim . My claim with the VA was denied for compensation of the medical bills I had to pay out of pocket. My husband applied years ago and was denied he served in the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam and was based at Camp Lejeune for several years. Agent Orange was the reason. How long until a decision is made on an agent orange applied November 2019. All we were tuned too was Search and Destroying the enemy! Tried to find more information but doctor at VA didnt want to fully confirm nor deny exposure to Agent Orange. Ancestry is likely your best bet. 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. 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. Attention A T users. Sounds as tho EVERYTHING is denied!! Who do we contact to start the claim process or to see if we are eligible? THAILAND & AGENT ORANGE: Agent Orange & Other Herbicides: Resources "Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits."--quoted from the VA website: . My 1st duty station was Task Force Delta as is shown in my records. Get to va office and start squeaking. Any help appreciated. As I read story after story. I guess the VA doesnt believe the wind blows, Skinner said. Skinner acknowledges that he can get health care from the VA. We also had Downs baby and a miscarriage also from Agent Orange. Official websites use .gov Three tours in Vietnam, all on the DMZ, two brown water, one blue water. I served at KADENA AFB on Okinawa from 1970 until 1972. 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. I later found that they were reimbursed by my private medical insurance. This is a list of the first names of men from the 14th Combat Engineers who died in 1968. We tried to apply for some type of benefits due to Agent Orange then and were turned away. Squeaky wheel gets the grease Put in claim many years ago when bladder cancer became presumptive. Is there a link between Skin Cancer and Agent Orange? You wrote an exact copy of what happened to me!! Its shameful how they have forgotten us. You have to prove it.. I am a Vietnam Veteran who, has lived with critical neuropathy after several EMGs. The base I was assigned to refueled C-130s with Agent Orange and it was used to control our foliage. My husband died in January 2021. Agent Orange is recognized for Parkinsons. I have filed claims but constantly get denied. We have learned to never trust our government. I lived in Okinawa in 1967-68, then was in Navy in Vietnam from Good luck and God bless you. Porphyria Cutanea Tarda (if it presents within one year of exposure to a degree of 10 percent disabling) I applied for Agent Orange disability, but the VA denied my claim. Screw the VA and screw the United States. I think a diagnosis of prostate cancer from agent orange means an automatic 100% disability rating. He developed T1 diabetes and died in 1996. He stated that they used Agent Orange several times while they were in Korea. Why hide the truth? What about us Ft McClellan vets? Im not a Veteran either but I was born with the severest form of Spina Bifida. A VSO will get you Loaded agent orange, asked what was in the drums, they said they could not tell me. 1. I was told that unless I had diabetes, cancer there was nothing they could do. Dad wanted his compensation to go to his daughters . Their use in Vietnam and Thailand took a heavy toll. 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. I am so glad they have finally recognized bladder cancer as a result of agent orange. 100 percent service connected. Army. U.S., South Korea to revive large-scale military drills amid North Korea threat, Deadly storms leave more than a million without power as weather system moves east, Judge sentences Alex Murdaugh to life in prison without parole. Nevermind that he was likely suffering from the metastatic cancer for the previous few years.undiagnosed. i was moving a 55 gallon drum of that stuff and it wasted all over my lower body and my supervisor told me to go take a long hot shower and bag all of my clothes and return them to him he would get me some new ones, never to tell me that it was harmful i went back out to the bombdump where i was temporary assigned and read the drums and saw it was herberside i filed and fielded for agent orange but was told not service connected now i have hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism alone with i had to have my prostate removed for i had prostate cancer. I was married Tommy husband for 20 years. What is going to be done for families that have already loss loved ones prior to this ruling? 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 Just my own opinion, I have all but given up even trying. The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, known as the VA, has added atypical Parkinsonism to the list of conditions presumptively associated with Agent Orange exposure during military service. Be aware (request a copy) of your DBQ exam as I did mine and one of the examiners did not completely fill out the questions that were asked of her and for some reason referred to me as a STREET PERSON, get a copy ASAP so that you will know what they said, its in your best interest. Contact DAV they will help you get started and shepherd your claim through. Good luck!! Everyday it is a fight with V.A. Important Agent Orange Information for Those Who Served in Thailand Filed a claim in 2018 was denied. They were swimming in it while working on them, not realizing what it was, only to develop symptoms years later but they dont get consideration for benefits because they were never IN COUNTRY. But, the side affects still exist and the damage is done and on going. And still didnt know what all that noise was,,I thought I had to live with it They used that letter repeatedly to deny claims, Mary Flodder, McHenrys widow, said in an interview. Maybe the mindset at the VA is to defer as long as possible and let time run out for a large number of us. I know that they do help some veterans, but if they can lie out of helping, they will. Neither were they included in new Middle East veteran benefits until less than a year ago. Call toll-free at 1 (800) 700-4174 We're Ready to Listen Hi, sorry to hear about everyone having issues getting benefits for thier loved ones. Before that I was in 2\12th in the infantry and walked through areas where AO was used. You are eligible. His living quarters were also close to a base perimeter, he recalled. I am angered that a vary large number of us who have suffered from hypertension were left out, even though there is more than ample evidence to support presumption of agent orange linkage. Longshot, but were you there in 68 as well. You cant win. So it came as no surprise in around 2015 when the VA decided that it was not going to service-connect disabilities to alleged Agent Orange and tactical herbicide exposures in Thailand without the "blessing" of this mysterious little government unit known as the "JSRRC.". Some Veterans pay all at once while others pay over a lifetime. The planes were routinely decontaminated after they landed on the carriers. He saw active duty the entire tour. Curious about soldiers that worked on jets, etc. Just my venting and 2 cents worth, nothing more,nothing will change. Roy, go to the nearest Disabled American Veterans office and ask them for assistance. Every day is a challenge: financially, physically, and emotionally. File a claim for DIC at va.gov or find a good VA advocate to help you. 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. Crickets.. Skinner, who has fought prostate cancer since 2018, has gone through 44 treatments of radiation therapy. Problem solved!!!! I check my status every week, still no decision. Agent Orange in Thailand - Hill & Ponton, P.A. There are a couple of things that come to mind that you could try. Should I apply? I am a Viet Nam era vet: Denied, Denied and Denied, back pain. I served in Thailand at Uteipio AFB in 1972-1973. Hard of hearing as well. Bill seeks broader aid to vets hurt by herbicide - Arkansas Online How about the contaminated waters in Fort Dix, Wednesday, March 10, 2021. 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. 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. Hows that for depression. 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!!! The herbicides were in the very air, he believes. Often fence lines were sprayed to kill vegetation that may have hid the presence of enemy soldiers. I served from 1968-68 with the first Marines . Christopher Cross. visit VeteransCrisisLine.net for more resources. Good luck and God bless you all. The VA did well with him in his final years. I have tinnitus and PTSD and it have being not approve my claim., for those. The Va clinic says, I dont know what your talking about. It is sad that the govt does this. When will his cases be reopened and his wife notified? You may not have standing to file for benefits. We never thought, or were told to ask our First Sargent Can you tell me what chemicals we are using here, and how will they possibly affect my health 25 years from now? We were all asked to step up, and never thought that a real enemy might be the Department of Defense, or perhaps some other EM doing what he had been told to do. You can file online or thru the mail (https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/). My husband was in Korea 1973-1974 he was in the 37thArtillery 6th Battalion Camp Essayons.Will any new VA expand benefits help him? Can I file a claim now. Pancreatic Cancer 25 years ago at only 68 years old! As I understand it Walter Reed Army Hospital conducted trial (experimental) treatments on him to no avail. My husband served 20 years in the USMC and served in the Vietnam War in 1968. He was 32 years old when he died and left me with our two children, Colleen, 4 1/2 and John, 15 months old. We flew into areas that had been sprayed with agent orange. I am proud to have served, but I am not pleased at the way the VA treats me and many other veterans. Sorry for your loss. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Paula Im with you, daughter died 18 months neuoblastoma, brother 44 brain cancer, sister breast cancer and ovarian cancer, i have had lung cancer, leiomysarcoma, soft cell sarcoma, pre colon cancer, I recieved the MUTATED TP53 gene, i dont care what any say the agent orange is a direct reflection of so much death and pain in my family. Youre absolutely correct. My husband was in Vietnam in the late 60s and early 70s. It was the best move I could have made. Sure was glad to see your comment! However, VA's adjudication manual (M21-1) does recognize Vietnam-era veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to Agent Orange and may qualify for VA benefits. Charles, I have been thru 2 bladder cancer surgeries and have other medical issues. A deceased buddy of mine was stationed on Guam. Charles McDivett. I am now having all kinds of health/medical problems. is like a slow boat to Chinathat never arrives! Tactical herbicides such as Agent Orange had limited usage, testing, or storage in several other countries besides Vietnam, such as the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Thailand, and United States. 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. Praying this morning for you and your family. I do not have diabetes either. Thank you. McHenry worked for years to correct what he argued was an error in that memo, which held there was no evidence of tactical herbicides having been used at American bases in Thailand. AGENT ORANGE EXPOSURE . 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. He had me late in life . I only get the run around when I call. ALL WHO SERVED DESERVE TO KNOW the answer/s to question/s being addressed. 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. So besides having survived Vietnam, there was Aniston. The Army vet in charge of looking into increasing disability claims pretty much told me to take a hike regarding the toxic water situation. I cannot claim exposure to AO due to neither the Pentagon or Headquarters MC being allowed to tell the VA that I was actually in country and exposed. My claim for benefits for Agent Orange related Prostate cancer was approved in 2017. Now , wondering if i am incorrect?? Youll quickly see youre not alone! Thank goodness Ol Uncle Sugar is on the case! The veteran representative we now have in our county told me that the more that happens, the greater the numbers to have it considered for approval. My daughter was born with autism. He passed away in 2015 with heart failure and had skin cancer . I need help! Your best bet is your local VSO. Its on the VAs own list of bases. Also this was 72 till76. My countys VA reps paycheck comes out of our tax moneynot all counties are willing to pay for us to have a good representative. says good luck. Chronic B-Cell Leukemia If these conditions are presumptively associated with exposure to Agent Orange, why does the VA take forever to settle claims? I still smell this shit today and my sinusitis claim was not service connected. Those conditions are bladder cancer, hypothyroidism and Parkinsonism. Have you filed everything yourself. My husband was also a Vietnam soldier and contracted every desease that you can get from Agent orange but the VA was paying for all the desease that were connected with agent orange , you just have to file a claim for each sickness , please do it , they will take responsibility they did for my husband until he passed this January 2021. 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. A VA spokeswoman said If enacted, S.657 would expand universal eligibility for veterans who served in Thailand. So sorry. MJ. (PROGRESSIVE Supranucler PALSY). During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military used Agent Orange and a variety of other "tactical herbicides" to kill vegetation and defoliate trees. Prostate cancer is which goes hand and hand with bladder cancer. that rating. I sent in my biopsy showing prostate cancer and my Bronze Star commendation for service in country. Agent Orange | DuPage County VA Disability Attorney