The Stovebolt Site Forums The Side Lot Legion Hall VA disability PSA

I just got a call from my local veterans' service officer. For several years, I've had a claim pending with the Veterans' Administration concerning some medical conditions possibly related to Agent Orange exposure in southeast Asia. It's been working its way (slowly) through the appeals process after being denied repeatedly. I'm finally scheduled for an in-person video conference in late January of 2023. The recent "burn pit" legislation and the decision to grant benefits to Camp LeJeune Marines also opened up more areas of presumptive exposure to Agent Orange like Thailand, Guam, American Samoa, and Johnston Atoll, so if anyone believes they have medical problems associated with defoliant exposure from a SEA tour, it would be a good idea to get in touch with your local VSO and pursue the matter. A good VSO can make a huge amount of difference in how a claim gets processed, and mine is one of the best I've ever met!
Jerry

In addition to the presumed medical conditions, one can use their existing rated disabilities to justify secondary conditions... ie... rated painful shoulders can be used to justify insomnia ect.

A excellent source for vets who served in SEA are the CHECO Reports which has a info about military action and the use of Agent Orange in SEA. All Thai bases used AO around the perimeter of the bases. It is good to have a VSO,but you the vet are your best VSO. Gather as much info about your case as you can find. Jerry good luck with your up-coming video call.

Need some coaching here. I need to resubmit for a higher rating (my conditions have worsened). I hear the system has changed somewhat. Walk me through the first steps?

I just back from my annual VA visit. Basically said what are you doing here but they did schedule me for 6 months down the road. Some asked me my age and when I told them they said no way and I get that all the time. Most said they would guess 65 or 70. BTW I just turned 80 5 1/2 months ago. I don't feel that good a lot of days. I don't smoke and I don't drink liquor nor go out with women who do. Now JDL convinced me to drink when we were Mongo's.

John, if you'd like to get more specific in a PM or an email, I'm all ears. I can run your situation by the VSO I mentioned above, and he will give us the straight answers- - - -no legalese or bureaucratic BS involved! I'll be contacting him anyway- - - -one of my friends at our 60th. high school class reunion last weekend told me about a widow of a veteran who is in need of some care she probably will be qualified for as a retiree's dependent. She's an advanced cancer patient with a prognosis that isn't good.
Jerry

Thanks Jerry. PM inbound.

The first step is to immediately go on the VA web site and submit your intent to file... that starts your backpay clock!!

I did my last upgrade myself, after using the DAV for the first evolution, a County VSO (GREAT PERSON) for the second evolution.

Rusty -- Thanks. Good tip!

S/F

At my last visit, this week they upgraded my eye treatment and a civilian Dr. is now treating me for skin cancer, I had it confirmed with V A doctor this week. It seems like going to have a car worked on for a minor rattle then you up for new tires and brakes and so forth. You know without us they would not have a job. It seems to me that they are looking for ways to upgrade my status. My first experience was my hearing aids. I got a letter saying. That under their criteria I was not qualified for hearing aids but they were sending them anyway. BTW I had been wearing them for 2 weeks when I got the letter.

As Rusty has said--------File your claim on the V.A web site that your condition has become worse.The date you file will start the clock running. Also by filing on line you will have confirmation of the date and time that you filed as the V.A will send you a confirmation e-mail---your proof in case your claim gets lost in the shuffle. You will receive written up-dates about your claim and they could request any new information that you have. Also they may set up a C&P exman for you also. My last two increase and Agent Orange I filed myself. Turn around time was 3 months for the A/O claim for hypertension. It is good to use a VSO if you desire, but I found that you are your best advocate. Good luck and keep all your info that you file and also what the VA sends you.

Thanks Dek!

Your welcome

My last VA checkup was a week ago and the question of Agent Orange came up a few times but I have no way of knowing if I was exposed. Some of the areas I was in were too clean of foliage to be natural.

Service in Vietnam Thailand ,boots on the ground is presumption for A/O dieases------Laos & Cambodia depends on certain dates. Check the list of areas that you served in. List is on the VA site or do a Google search of A/O area.

All the paved pathways between buildings at Korat AFB in Thailand had strips of bare dirt several feet wide on each side. They explained that it was for "snake control"- - - - -"There are three kinds of snakes in this area- - -two of them are deadly poisonous and the other one will eat you for lunch!" According to the "official" word, Agent Orange was only used around the perimeter fences for security reasons, but I had my doubts about how they kept those pathways so clean. Until a couple of years ago, the only USAF vets who were eligible for AO compensation were security police who patrolled the fence lines- - - -even though the NCO barracks where I slept every night was less than 100 yards from the base perimeter! That restriction got dropped during the Camp Lejeune water contamination flap, and everybody who served in Thailand became eligible for AO exposure evaluations.
Jerry

Part of the units that were part of the 9th Infantry was a tank unit station at Firebase Black Horse so called because of the prancing black horse insignia arm patch. The tanks churned up a lot of sand and snakes were a real problem. One soldier came out of the shower and a snake bit him on the ankle, I think it was some sort of viper which is very deadly. Not being out in the jungle a corpsman was able to save him.