Public Service Announcement --Vietnam Vets

Tim G -

There are indeed a few of us regulars here, like me, who did serve in our military "in the Nam" back in the 60s and 70s.

And, yes, it's good to remind ourselves now and then that the U.S. Government does indeed provide benefits and services to those vets who qualify for them:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-vietnam.asp

I do think I speak for us Namvets here in expressing our appreciation to you for bringing this up, as it may in fact inform a Vietnam veteran coming here to the forum, that there are possibly benefits he may be able to pursue that he may have been previously unaware of. Thank you.

Also, while on that VA site page (above link), note the listing in the column of links to the left, of other classes of U.S. veterans for whom benefits are available, such as Gulf War veterans, Korean War veterans, etc. Clicking on any of those links provides VA benefit information for vets in those classes as well.

I was never in Nam. But I worked in a facility with massive antennas and a lot of electromagnetic radiation floating around. No history of Pca in my family at all. As far back as I can trace. Often wondered whether working in that facility brought it on. Maybe, maybe not. Definitely unprovable. Other than genetics and Agent Orange, no telling what could cause it. Not a smoker.

Good on you, Central (for your eligibility).

Depending on the location, VA care can provide excellent treatment on many fronts. They've come a long ways. With 100% I think (not positive) that you qualify for dental too. Check it out.

A former neighbor was widowed two years ago after her husband died of lung cancer, just a couple of months after he was diagnosed. He was marine RVN vet and hadn't filed a claim for Agent Orange related lung cancer. I told the woman she was eligible for a VA survivor benefit of about $1500 per month. The veterans' agent in the town where she then lived said not to count on it. He obviously didn't know squat about Agent Orange VA benefits. I finally found her a representative from the DAV who helped her with her claim. She eventually got her monthly award along with about $18,000 in back pay dated to the month of her husband's death. The lesson here is just because somebody is on the town or county payroll as a veterans' agent doesn't mean they know anything about federal -- as opposed to state benefits. I'm sure there are many good ones. But over the years I've known of several who were appointed because of local connections.

I'm not one to belong to veterans groups or to march in parades. But I respect the DAV. I always see their transport vehicles parked outside the VA hospital. And now I know personally that they made sure a Marine widow got her survivor benefit.

Bohemond said...
A former neighbor was widowed two years ago after her husband died of lung cancer, just a couple of months after he was diagnosed. He was marine RVN vet and hadn't filed a claim for Agent Orange related lung cancer. I told the woman she was eligible for a VA survivor benefit of about $1500 per month. The veterans' agent in the town where she then lived said not to count on it. He obviously didn't know squat about Agent Orange VA benefits. I finally found her a representative from the DAV who helped her with her claim. She eventually got her monthly award along with about $18,000 in back pay dated to the month of her husband's death. The lesson here is just because somebody is on the town or county payroll as a veterans' agent doesn't mean they know anything about federal -- as opposed to state benefits. I'm sure there are many good ones. But over the years I've known of several who were appointed because of local connections.

I'm not one to belong to veterans groups or to march in parades. But I respect the DAV. I always see their transport vehicles parked outside the VA hospital. And now I know personally that they made sure a Marine widow got her survivor benefit.

Yes, knowledge of VA benefits, including Agent Orange related illnesses, is less than common, which is one of the reasons I post about them at the Prostate Cancer forum. Veterans deserve any benefits they get for their service. At least nowadays, I never hear anyone say anything other than "Thank you for your service" During the years of the Vietnam War, there was a lot of verbal and physical hostility unleashed toward war veterans. At the VA Clinic, they treat me extraordinary well.