Vets, Agent Orange, VA disability

David,

It's a shame you have to pay a lawyer to get the VA to come to reason. As I mentioned in another thread, my coastal surveillance outfit worked all the time with P3 squadrons like yours that that flew in and out of the base at Cam Ranh Bay. But at this point, handing over part of what the V.A. owes you to a lawyer is making the best of a bad situation.

Jim

Skooley

One more thing -- I see from another thread that you father has just finished his initial treatment. Therefore, all the more reason to get his claim filed with the V.A. absolutely as soon as possible. As of right now he should be entitled to 100% disability payment, but he will only begin accruing benefits from the date he files his claim. Therefore, you need to ask for help right away from the local veterans' agent, VFW, or other source of knowledgeable assistance. You shouldn't need much documentation to file the initial claim --if you father has copies of his DD214 (separation from active duty) or other official documents, you can enclose copies, but these are not necessary. The V.A. will get copies of these and other records they may need -- so don't delay filing because you are hunting for documents. Your father should need only to complete ( with assistance as noted above, if available) a VA Form 21-526 which asks for things like dates of active service, Social Security number, when he served in Vietnam, and the nature of his disabilty (prostate cancer), etc. There will also be a form asking him to consent to the release of medical information to the VA by his doctor(s) and requiring the doctor's name, address, dates of treatment. Once he has filed this he will have established the beginning date for retroactive payment. Even if the the VA follows up with a request for additional information--which they probably will -- the clock starts from the time of his initial filing.

I emphasize the need to file right now, because, for the moment, he is entitled to full disability payments. After about 6 months from the date of his treatment, his disability will probably be reduced to a lower level based on whatever residual problems he may have from his treatment, which in the case of prostate cancer usually means the extent, if any, of incontinence (wearing pads or not--how many, frequency of urination, number of times getting up at night for the bathroom, etc., erectile dysfunction) plus any other related problems resulting from the cancer itself or the treatment.

Also if you father should need further treatment, which with luck he won't - radiation, hormone therapy, etc., he will revert to 100% disability at least during and for some time after treatment.

And not to make things grimmer than they need to be, there is also the matter of survivor benefits. If you dad should die of prostate cancer -- or other Agent Orange related disease, his spouse would be entitled to a survivor benefit of about $1,100 per month.

Jim

Thanks 142 - he was all over and during a big crisis - cant remember what now- they went into defense mode and all civilians removed. Think he feels too late to battle VA.

that is what I keep telling myself for nearly 4 years now, 81gyguy, when it does settle, it will be huge

David - Good luck with your ongoing application. If anyone does deserve these benefits, it's you! Especially after all this time!

DGV/damgoodview - Keep staying tuned on this! The government's wheels often do turn slowly, but over time situations such as yours and your husband's do get recognized, and remedy in the form of benefits is eventually provided. Does your husband have access to a veterans services officer, or such? Could be worth looking into. Don't give up, keep monitoring this!

PAY IT FORWARD:
Uncle Henry had PC and died of it. He received disability payments while he was alive from the VA, burial benefits, and Aunt IDA is receiving $14,340 annually tax free as the surviving spouse. Uncle John on the other side of the family died of lung cancer after being treated at his local hospital and was buried in a private ceremony. He received no disability, burial, or surviving spouse benefits. He never mentioned that he had served in Vietnam, and when he left the service he never looked back or joined a veterans organization. Years ago he showed me a chi-com pistol that he had brought back. I talked to Aunt Julie and we went to the Veteran's Service Office (VSO) and submitted for surviving spouse benefits--it was too late for disability or burial benefits.
There are 14 illnesses associated with agent orange exposure in Vietnam. Although it may be too late for surviving spouses to submit for disability or burial benefits, the spouse can receive surviving spouse benefits--there is no time limit---Many veterans and their spouses have no idea what is available to them--Happy Memorial Day!
Bill

Thanks bohemond and everyone else. I printed all the info out and I am sure he will file for it.

And thanks again to all of you for the service you gave to our country.

Skooley -

If your friend's dad served in any of the United States armed forces and was honorably discharged, there is a very good chance that there are at least some benefits available to him from the government through the Veterans Administration (VA).

There are a number of us vets here on this list (me being one of them) who would be happy to assist her as needed.

She needs to become very familiar with the VA website, which can be a bit challenging because of its complexity. A good place to start might be their "Benefits A-Z" page:

benefits.va.gov/atoz/

Feel free to post again if we can be of further assistance.

Skooley,
The website that the Lieutenant listed for the VA might work very well for your friend. In my case I use the "Federal Benefits for Veterans Dependents and Survivors" handbook..It's simple, easy to read, and covers everything! It's available for free at all Veterans Service Offices in each county..I have a copy that I will send you if you E-mail me your address. I have unlocked my E-mail address and will lock it Saturday if I haven't heard from you.
Bill