Agent Orange Exposure: Diseases Recognized by VA

[Jack615]

Hi,

I found the following information on the VA website and thought I'd share it.


Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) :  As a presumptive condition for in-country Vietnam veterans:

Birth Defects - Spina Bifida:   The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 1997 granted benefits for children of Vietnam veterans who were suffering from spina bifida (38 U.S.C. §1805). Reference: 38 CFR §3.814

Current Conditions Considered by VA Presumptive to AO Exposure:

These are the diseases which VA currently presumes resulted from exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The law requires that some of these diseases be at least 10% disabling under VA's rating regulations within a deadline that began to run the day you left Vietnam. If there is a deadline, it is listed in parentheses after the name of the disease.

Chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne. (Must occur within one year of exposure to Agent Orange).

Hodgkin's disease.

Multiple myeloma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy. (For purposes of this section, the term acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy means temporary peripheral neuropathy that appears within weeks or months of exposure to an herbicide agent and resolves within two years of the date of onset.)

Porphyria cutanea tarda. (Must occur within one year of exposure to Agent Orange).

Prostate cancer.

Respiratory cancers (cancer of the lung, bronchus, larynx, or trachea).

Soft-tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, or mesothelioma).

[robert945]

I am one more individual that has been diagnosed with lupus after returning from Vietnam, and type II diabetes.  I know that most of my time was spent in areas where AO was used.  I am posting this note for anyone intresting in accumulating data that might aid in  establishing a link between AO and lupus. Robert

[Bogeycat]

Robert if not too late can you provide me with this information as I have Lupus and was in an AO area in Nam as well.

Thanks  Steve

[silverbear9668]

in country seems to be a the key wording ,I keep running into when I try to apply for my exposure to agent orange. service USMC 1967 to 1971 . first 1/2 spent armore plating ch46's second 1/2 spent decommisioning helocopters returning from viet nam . they called it corrosion control team, a short time later, after some of my team came up with unexpained rashes from exposure to licquid that filled the bilges of the first ch53's returning from viet nam, I realize we where actually a decontamination team. after the first draining of the helocopter bilges on to the hanger deck ( as directed) it was realized what we where dealing with. because I was never in viet nam all claims denide. I am now a panceatic cancer surviver with diabetes and many other health issues that may be related to my service. Wayne Michael Young  NO DIRECTION TO TURN

[LZFreedom]

Truly ~ there are many many service connected medical conditions that a lot of Veterans are not aware of.
Fortunately, after our Vietnam Veterans waited OVER 30 YEARS!!!, some of the laws have changed in the last few years, ultimately making it easier for the Veteran to receive financial compensation, and medical treatment related to their active duty service.

If anyone is interested in finding out how to get connected to medical care, somewhat quickly, depending on the medical condition, and the availability of VA clinic's in your area... contact me! my email is VeteranAdvocate AT Comcast.net or contact me here.

I'm working on two claims both for Marines that served in the 70's.
One man has waited since 1980 for his benefits. The Board of Veterans Appeals in on the side of this Veteran, and has dished it back to the Regional Office (VA) here in Portland Oregon.
I love taking these laws and Making Them Work for the Veteran!
That's what they are there for!    So many in the VA system are just so burned out, they should quit. The Veterans care should never be sacrificed b/c someone doesn't know the laws have changed to help the Veteran, or b/c they don't have the energy to follow thru.
That's why I volunteer, and will never work for the fed. or state.
I'm not bound by their limiting laws.
Didn't mean to get carried away.... it's likely my own lupus is the direct result of agent orange exposure. Need to get hooked up with the lupus foundation in OKC and get my own service connect ~ connected!!!
In Peace & With Respect ~ Woshi

[Bogeycat]

I was in Nam in '65 and have now come down with Lupus. I live CA. Are there any study groups here that you know of ? Or can you direct me to a website that might have that information. There is NO history of Immunol decease in my family history anywhere. I am a male Marine vet and history shows that males are very unlikely to come down with this decease. I really need some help.
Thanks for listening.
Steve

[AlettaJeannette]

Thank you...this forum is new to me...still figuring it out.  Thank your for your service and welcome home.

[Pointman]

Aletta, I thank Jack was  just sayin alot of vets dont know that they can git treatment and Montery comsetation if thy have these ceretain dieases , they should eb alot more added to the list.and thank yuo for your input,all information is herlful, and welcome home to your Husband.

pointman

[AlettaJeannette]

Jack, Do you believe that only the what the VA has their presumptive list is all the AO causes?  There are many problems caused by dioxin, only problem is...research is not been done.  My hubby is a Vietnam Vet with Lupus.  He is now in a Lupus Research Study from Lupus Foundation in OK.  I read somewhere that the DoD is having research done.  I hope this group my hubby is in is part of this DoD one.  My suggestion, is look for a research group from whatever your illness is.