Some really good news to report

After fighting the VA for 3 years and 10 months, I got the news in the mail today.  The VA has approved my Agent Orange Disability Claim.  Basically, any member of the armed forces that were on the ground in Viet-Nam during the war, and then later get prostate cancer, are entitled to 100% VA Disability.

I was denied twice by the VA in SC, and had been on appeal in DC for over a year.

What it means to me, is they have to pay me back all the way till December of 2009, plus start my regular monthly checks.   When I die, my wife will continue to get half of that.  And the money is tax free.

Plus as a disabled vet in SC, I will no longer have to pay property taxes on my house or my car, and will get a free tag for life.  Plus they have to pay me back for the taxes I have paid the past nearly 4 years.

I am so excited, and it was one heck of a fight, but I knew I was correct and had earned this.  The joke among us Nam vets, is that the VA hopes we will die before they ever have to settle up.

My biggest dream will be realized, as if my cancer does indeed take me out, I will feel better knowing that I have provided for my wife, and she won't be burdened with any debts.  For that I am thankful forever.

David

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 10/26/2013 8:09:26 PM (GMT-6)

David

 

This great news!!  I am so happy for you and your wife.  In my mind I am doing my happy dance even when my leg wont let me physically dance.

 

Your settlement was a long time coming.  Thanks for letting us know

 

Betsey

Congrats, a very major win for you and all service members from that time frame...Hope this helps you, and that you can get some much needed help.
Prayers as always...

I have a huge smile on my face right now! Congratulations to you! Score one for the Veterans who deserve nothing but the best!

This is truly a reason to celebrate! Good for you!

Linds

Thank you so much, my friends. Still hasn't fully sunken in yet. Feels especially blessed over this, and it was a hard, hard fight. For some reason, we Navy Viet-Nam vets were put through a higher level of proof, than had I served in the Army, Marines, or Air Force. The Navy back then, didn't always keep as accurate service records as did the other branches.

For starters, the VA in SC, kept insisting that I was in the service back as much as 2 years earlier than I was, when I was still a junior in high school! I was sitting there with my service records in my hands, with them on the phone, and the woman in Charleston called me a liar about that point.

This was brought up in the approval letter that I received today. Also, the Navy, according to my records, also failed to include that I had been stationed in Guam, San Francisco, Japan, and Rhode Island.

So there was more than enough reasonable doubt based on my records, which helped my cause.

What also helped, was the fact that my SSD was approved 2 1/2 years ago for my prostate cancer and the complications and damage from the treatments. And more amazing, the VA recognized the 3 bouts of porocarcinoma I went through were probably service connected from Viet-Nam.

Just so glad for once to have some major good news to report.

David

On a lesser note, been real happy so far with the switch over from Lortab after 3 1/2 years to the Norco. No ill effects, if anything, seems minutely stronger, and actually has some minor sedation effect, which is something the Lortab never did for me.

Excellent news, David! You deserve every penny, in my opinion.

My husband was in the Air Force during the Viet Nam war and he was stationed overseas in England. For that reason, we were able to get married and be together. But my brother, was stationed in Nam and he was also in the Navy.

I never forgot how lucky I was that my husband got stationed in England and not Viet Nam, although he was fully ready to go, if they had sent him there.

For you and for all those who served and gave so much, like your health and well being, I salute you and thank you for your service to my country and thus, to my family.

God bless you David.

Lindaloo

Congratulations David! Taking the worry about money out of the equation has to be a huge relief!

thank you both, and yes, first time since I began this PC journey back in 2008, that I haven't been feeling strapped with future financial concerns. My wife has no intentions of retiring anytime soon, she is 58, and plans to work to at least early retirement of SS at age 62, perhaps longer, but if something should happen to where she couldn't work, we could no make it without her income.

david

David, I wanted to add in my congratulations! This is an important victory for you which will offer a modicum of psychological comfort, not to mention the relevant increase in income. I don't know what your plans are for the $135K, but unless you have some personal expertise in the matter, do seek out some financial advisers (at least 3). Of course, you also deserve to treat yourself to something out of that money.

When I received my substantial settlement for my car accident, I spent about 3 months interviewing financial advisers, researching their recommendations, etc., before deciding how I wanted to invest my $. In the end, I think I made the right decision and it will be a significant supplement to my income when I retire.

Wonderful !!

Great News. So sorry things couldn't have been wrapped up earlier and more easily.

David, I'm So Thankful ! It's so sad that our those in the Military had to fight in foreign lands and then come home and still have to fight. (Of course there were many other sad things about that war that has affected those that served there, but this isn't the place to get into it.)

In the early 1970' my dad finally 'won' his battle with VA... took at least 15 yr & the help of local Congressman (from hmm 1943 I think)

The lack of paperwork filed ON the date of injury was VA's hangup.. people around him were dying so he did not seek medical help for several days. What a crock. Injury was documented just a couple of days later. Many years of needless suffering (lack of medical treatments + having to work while sick) & financial hardship - so happy when he finally got what he deserved.

Those times shaped the changes we see now, I think .Persistance is key so a thank you to you is in order.

Again congrats