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Vets, Agent Orange, VA disability

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Posted 7/2/2011 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Just a heads up to Vietnam vets diagnosed with prostate cancer. If you served in country, you are eligible for VA disability benefits. You need only to provide evidence that you have prostate cancer (medical records) and that you served in Vietnam (DD-214 form is adequate proof). There is a presumption that your prostate cancer was caused by Agent Orange. You can download application from VA web site, or have a county service officer assist you. I applied in March of 2006 and received my first checks in May of that year.
Posted 7/2/2011 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
We have several vets here doing this....
Posted 7/2/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I applied in September of 2009, and I am still awaiting approval. I have had to enlist the aid of my local U.S. Senator to intervene. If you are ex-Navy, it can be a more difficult process.
Posted 7/2/2011 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
If you are a Navy Vietnam veteran and did not set foot on land, don't bother to submit a claim. See the following article for details.


http://www.nvlsp.org/Information/ArticleLibrary/AgentOrange/AO-VABattleBlueWaterVets0407.htm

Hat tip to James C.

Post Edited (Tim G) : 7/2/2011 6:14:53 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/2/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Tim, if you remove the first http://, the link may work..
Posted 7/2/2011 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I applied December 27, 2010.  The clerk did not accept my DD214 as proof so I submitted additional proofs of service. The first person told me it would be simple but the clerk seemed to want duplicate proofs. Was told I would get 100% for 6 months after treatment if approved. An exam would determine any continuing payments after that.

The first VA person I talked to was too optimistic about the process apparently.

Just curious to hear how long it has taken others to receive Agent Orange benefits.

Posted 7/2/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
I contacted a friend of mine (Navy Vet) who is quite knowledgable on this subject, plus he is one of the major contributors to our Wichita Chapter of UsTOO (http://www.ustoowichita.org/   and he advised the following.  I hope it will shed some light..........

Of the “Blue Waters” ships that HAVE BEEN approved, there is not one ammunition ship (AE) on the list, and the ship in the dispute is USS Mount Katmai (AE-16).  Considering that they were ammunition ships, they likely were not permitted to actually enter the “Blue Waters” off Vietnam and more likely were kept quite distant.  Though the Commander in the court dispute received Vietnam medals, so did just about anyone that participated in the general area of that conflict, including support at sea of those combatant ships, boats, and landing craft that did move close into the area that has been accepted now as being in the so-called “Blue Waters.”  The latest updates to a list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard (USCG) vessels exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam Era has come out and includes many ships that were much closer in off Vietnam as well as combatants in inland waters. “The updated list, maintained by the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA), is available at www.fra.org/agentorange and is of particular interest to those former service members experiencing health problems related to herbicide exposure. If service aboard one of the listed vessels can be confirmed, it may help expedite claims for VA health and disability benefits. Veterans should understand that the list is not complete and presumption of exposure will not be denied solely because a veteran's ship is not on it.”

 

Posted 7/3/2011 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Robert,

Right now they are busy with the new presumptives such as IHD so it may take longer than it did a couple of years ago. Millions of claims have been made since late last year, so it will happen, but might take longer than you expected.

Michael

Posted 7/3/2011 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
I filed a claim for Agent Orange in August of 2010 and am still waiting. I served aboard a ship anchored in Can Ranh Bay.  Here is an excerpt from VFW Magazine on April 2010:

"Navy Vietnam Vets and Agent Orange

VA announced in March that it is seeking information from

sailors who served on Vietnam’s inland waterways for the purposes

of developing claims based on exposure to Agent

Orange. VA’s Compensation and Pension Service has identified

21 ships and types of U.S. naval vessels that would qualify.

If a veteran’s service aboard one of the ships listed can be

confirmed, the veteran will be presumed to have been

exposed to Agent Orange “without further development.” In

addition, Cam Rahn Bay is considered a qualifying location

for “inland waterway” service".

I hope this helps anyone who served in that area.
Posted 7/3/2011 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Also added were those in Korea by the DMZ. I believe it was around 1968-1971.
Posted 7/3/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Michael and others, Thanks for info.
Posted 7/3/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Cam Rahn Bay is where my Navy patrol squadron flew in and out of (VP-17), and part of the reason that my case has been delayed since 2009.
Posted 7/3/2011 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
I am a Navy Vet, but had no issues because I was stationed at NSA DaNang. Also spent time on River Patrol Boats at the DMZ. I filed my formal claim in Jan 2010 and was scheduled for a C&P physical.

My claim was approved in just a little over 4 months. My rating was granted at 100%. I was also scheduled for a physical 1 year later.

I was called back for another physical in Jan 2011. As a result of this physical and the current state of my treatments and testing results (they found mets), my rating was changed to 100% - Permanent and Total. I will never have to go for another physical.

Also I was asked to supply them with medical records for the diagnosis and treatments for my mets. Seems that there is another rating available. I talked this over with my state VA rep that has been assisting me and he told me that it would result in about a 10% monthly increase over my 100%. I guess 100% doesn't always mean the same thing.

Good luck in your filing process. And to those of us that have already been approved, WE DESERVE IT.

Happy Independence Day to everyone.

Sonny
Posted 11/7/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
AGENT ORANGE:  It was also in Korea from April 1968 to about 1971 and Vets with prostate or other cancers who were there at that time can also apply for Agent Orange effects on them.

(two issues - 1) Link did not work 2) we don't allow new members to post links in their first few posts. Since this is sensitive to many members, I did track down a VA link that leads to the application process, and mentions the addition of Korea.

Moderator - 142)

The link originally used here is no longer valid. 

Try the link above to learn more.

Post Edited By Moderator (142) : 5/22/2013 6:48:29 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 11/7/2011 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
I applied December 27 2010.
Got determination of disability in early October 2011.
Got deposit for 9 months at 100%.
Exam October 22 2011. Only saw a clerk who asked questions and put answers into computer.
November 1 2011 got deposit for 1 month at 100%.
Posted 11/7/2011 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
I applied April 20, 2010 and had my first direct deposit 20 days later, the day I got home from the surgery. I was in Korea and spent one day in the DMZ. I used Facebook to find people who knew me there 40 years ago, (it took 2 days to find 3 people, including my old CO who actually still had written proof that he sent me to the DMZ that day!). That was the good news. The bad news was at my C&P exam 2 weeks ago I had to tell the doctor I have total ED, leak constantly, and pee twice an hour or more. You take what your dealt, and move on.
Posted 12/8/2011 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Got a letter. Will get 20% or $251 plus ED money of $99. Total $350 a month. Subject to periodic review.

If PSA goes up would have to file another claim.

Post Edited (robertcool) : 12/8/2011 2:14:33 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 5/22/2013 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I served on the USS Mt Katmail from 1965-1969. As for distance from shore, we frequently were in easy clear view of the beaches of Vietnam ... considering our eye height of the deck and say 6 foot stature, that makes the distance to shore at a distance of approximately 5 miles , doing the math. We frequently dodged vietnamese fishermen in their "Basket boats". We fired our 3 " cannon at a shore target ( heck, we hit it the first time .. not bad for an AE ) .. we retreived a USAF drone from the water near shore ( these often flew at low level. Was close enough to see the sun go down, the flares go up, listen to the gunfire. One should not dismiss the AE contribution to our presence there.
Posted 5/22/2013 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
142 - link didn't work. I've mentioned before my husband applied and was told he needed additional impossible information to get to continue the processing. He was applying because of his exposure to "special weapons" during the 'nam era, but he was also stationed in Korea for 13 months in time period listed. Any suggestions?? He initially wouldn't apply because he didn't want to take from those who might need it more. He has been reassured that that wouldn't be the case, but has given up again. Ideas? Link?
Posted 5/22/2013 1:39 PM (GMT 0)

Passages said...
142 - link didn't work. I've mentioned before my husband applied and was told he needed additional impossible information to get to continue the processing. He was applying because of his exposure to "special weapons" during the 'nam era, but he was also stationed in Korea for 13 months in time period listed. Any suggestions?? He initially wouldn't apply because he didn't want to take from those who might need it more. He has been reassured that that wouldn't be the case, but has given up again. Ideas? Link?

Where was he in Korea? The VA will only award disability for those who were by the DMZ, no where else on the peninsula.
Posted 5/22/2013 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
While most of the posts in this thread are a year or so old, the information in them is still valid.

For a good official summary of the benefits and process, on the VA website itself, see:

www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/prostate_cancer.asp
Posted 5/22/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Wish we could make the Agent Orange info a sticky for any incoming Nam vets. Salute!

BTW, it will be 4 years this December of my original claim, finally found a local law firm that will handle a VA case on contingency, have an appointment to meet the lawyer in a week.

Still hung up on appeal in Washington DC for 2 years now, even though the status was changed to a "hardship case".

Thanks VA, you sure loved me when I joined on my 18th birthday on my own, with a low lottery number in hand.

david
Posted 5/22/2013 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
What amount of money are we talking about here? My dad served in Vietnam and I'm not sure I want to put him through the stress of having to fight for the claim. But if it s a significant amount, maybe it is worth the fight???
Posted 5/22/2013 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Skooley,

It is a very significant amount of money at least during treatment. During treatment and for six months or so after treatment your dad will receive 100 percent disability which is $2,816 per month for a veteran alone, a bit more if living with a spouse or dependent children. about 6 months after treatment he would be reevaluated and then paid on a scale that ranges from nothing to 100 percent depending on residual effects. VA Disability payments are tax free.

Also if he was on the ground in Vietnam he is presumed to have Agent Orange exposure and should not have to fight to prove his claim, though there is a long backlog at the V.A. and he would probably have a long wait to receive his first payment, but that payment would include retroactive pay to the date he submitted his claim.

My wait from filing my claim to getting my first check was a bit over a year.

Also, you should be able to get help filing the claim from a town or county veterans agent, or from the VFW, American Legion, or DAV. The paperwork is not complicated, but does need to be done thoroughly.

Jim
Posted 5/22/2013 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, with a wife, its around 3 grand a month for 100%. Good thing, when my case ever gets approved, they already owe me almost 48 months in arrears. If a lawyer can rap it up for me, I won't mind him taking his cut.

david in sc
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