Commander Bob

VA's Agent Orange website... www.VA.gov/AgentOrange... Here is the current Agent Orange presumptive list, November, 2008, if you don't want to wait for the download at the VA website. Health Conditions Presumptively Recognized to Date The information contained in this article updates earlier issues of this newsletter. We are providing it again because of the high level of interest and because we know that some readers are seeing it for the first time. For more information, see www.VA.gov/AgentOrange. The following health conditions are presumptively recognized for service connection for Vietnam veterans, based on exposure to herbicides and related materials during the Vietnam War. Vietnam veterans with one or more of these conditions do not have to show that their illness(es) is (are) related to their military service to get disability compensation. VA presumes that their condition is service-connected. Conditions Recognized in Veterans: 1. Chloracne (must occur within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange) 2. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 3. Soft tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma) 4. Hodgkin’s disease 5. Porphyria cutanea tarda (must occur within 1 year of exposure) 6. Multiple myeloma 7. Respiratory cancers, including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus 8. Prostate cancer 9. Acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy (must appear within 1 year of exposure and resolve within 2 years of date of onset) 10. Type 2 diabetes 11. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Here is the current Agent Orange list, November, 2008, if you don't want to wait for the download at the VA website. Health Conditions Presumptively Recognized to Date The information contained in this article updates earlier issues of this newsletter. We are providing it again because of the high level of interest and because we know that some readers are seeing it for the first time. For more information, see www.VA.gov/AgentOrange. The following health conditions are presumptively recognized for service connection for Vietnam veterans, based on exposure to herbicides and related materials during the Vietnam War. Vietnam veterans with one or more of these conditions do not have to show that their illness(es) is (are) related to their military service to get disability compensation. VA presumes that their condition is service-connected. Conditions Recognized in Veterans: 1. Chloracne (must occur within 1 year of exposure to Agent Orange) 2. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 3. Soft tissue sarcoma (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma) 4. Hodgkin’s disease 5. Porphyria cutanea tarda (must occur within 1 year of exposure) 6. Multiple myeloma 7. Respiratory cancers, including cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus 8. Prostate cancer 9. Acute and subacute transient peripheral neuropathy (must appear within 1 year of exposure and resolve within 2 years of date of onset) 10. Type 2 diabetes 11. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Thanks for the post hurryupnwait. For the presumptive list of disabilities and conditions for Agent Orange and more , visit this website, www.VA.gov/AgentOrange Cmdr. Bob

Would the oncologist write an IMO citing PTSD as a contributing factor??? Or a letter stating that PTSD exacerbated his condition. The oncologist must have witnessed and noted his PTSD condition when the chest cath had to be replaced. etc. I'm grasping at straws here, I want you to find peace and justice and be able to put all things VA to rest and get on with your life Ms. Susan.

Has anyone here ever tried to have a Death Certificate amended? sjh4951,You truly belive PTSD contributed to the cause of his death [ "I CAN TELL YOU THAT I READ AN ARTICLE THAT SAID VETS WITH PTSD SEEK TREATMENT FOR CANCER LATER THAN VETS WITHOUT PTSD CAUSING THEM TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH LATER STAGE TUMORS THUS HAVING A POORER SURVIVAL RATE.'' ] Did a civilian doctor or ME or a local coroner sign the Death Certificate"? You mentioned articles and other reasons you belive that PTSD contributed to his death. I don't know, and (old Texas saying ) "we want to clear the swamps to get rid of the alligators, not to start an alligator farm". I wouldn't want you to waist an ounce of energy or time chasing alligators, however, have you considered contacting your local civilian gov. agency responsible for signing off on death certificates, and presenting your evidence to support PTSD as a contributing factor to his death, get a hearing if need be, and have the death certificate amended. I mention this because you seem certain that PTSD contributed to his death.

My most positive thoughts are with you and your family, especially during this holiday season. I'm new to Hadit and obsolete to the ever changing ways of the VA. With too many unknowns for me to try to understand, I have confidence in Pete 52 and Poolguy's judgement When I learned your late husband had submitted new evidence within the time limit, I was hopeful that the VA would accept the new evidence and keep the claim going. Perhaps some loop hole that they would accept to keep the time line. Then there are other matters to understand, Cause of death, A.O. claim and the unfinished PTSD claim. I am saddened and concerned for you and the widows across this country who took care of our wounded and disabled troops, for years and years after active duty. Only to have this additional burden for you to deal with. Pete 53's recommendation to revisit your congress person is solid advice. You have been to your Congressman's office before. So, you can do it again. Is there anything they can do to support your request that the VA give you the benefit of the doubt on the misunderstanding of the new evidence and the other factors, that you mentioned in your posts here. I pray for the miracle that you truly deserve.

You don't want to burn too many bridges behind you, saginaw, reporting vague concerns could contaminate your relationship with him. Although, it sounds like he has contaminated the relationship with you already. Can you request to change doctors? I looked up Effexor on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venlafaxine Nothing notable or unique about the drug. You post that this MD works at an outpatient clinic. My first impression, and IMHO, I doubt that he is receiving payola for writing scripts for Effexor. Again, this is only my opinion, I don't know the details. If you think that something is odd with your doctor's enthusiasm re; Effexor, then ask him about it. Has he tried other drugs out on you? The hand made flyers he passes out sounds a bit odd. From what I've read about Effexor, it's no panacea or wonder drug. How old is he? IMO, most MD's love passing out pills... Have you tried it? Does it work? If yes. then how much of yourself do you have to give up to get relief?

Outstanding Marine. Well put USMC HVEQ. Remember; the PTSD has to be linked to combat related.

While were' on the subject. I am reminded of the Kipling stanza, the WWII vets would recite..."In time of war, and not before, God and the solider, all men adore, But when the war is over, and the wrong's been righted, God's forgotten and the solider slighted".

Good Morning Stretch, Thanks for starting this thread and giving us the heads up about the Dr. Phil Show yesterday. I watched. Even though my wife and I have been playing this little game in the afternoons, while I have been hanging around the house on this extended RR. It's called, dodge the Dr. Phil & Oprha shows. I sometimes judge the character of someone from my generation, based on their military activity during the Vietnam era. Poor Dr. Phil was a draft dodger, who used the deferments route to avoid mandatory service in the war. Another scheme to avoid the draft, was to get Dad to get you a "NG" status ( but that's a different topic.) ... I was pleased to see our issues discussed on his show, tempered with the knowledge that the public has a short attention span, and even a shorter memory. I also find it notable that some of the newer vets want to reinvent the wheel and separate themselves from the rest of us. I remember when I got home from the war zone and would walk into any of the Veterans Service Organization's posts, many years ago. AL, VFW, DAV MOPH, etc., and be treated like a redheaded stepchild by the WWII vets. Sometimes there is a power struggle within our own long lasting veterans institutions. Passing the torch to a new generation of war veterans is never easy. I witnessed it with the Korean & WWII vets, and the WWII vets did the same with the WWI. Divide and get conquered. Too bad, such is life... It doesn't have to be that way. Remember the VVA, back in the day? I do support the "VA employee orange jump suit program", proposed by the retired Col. on the Dr. Phil Show yesterday. Some of the things I have witnessed at the VA, over the last four decades are indeed criminal. ...Cmdr. Bob

You are getting yourself squared away USMC HVEQ. You will learn everything about CRSC retire pay in the USMC...etc. and I know that you will do great. When your CRSC mission is completed, please report back to Hadit. This whole CRSC thing is new. Not many vets know or qualify for this extra bit of pay. You will help a lot of comrades by your experience. Merry X-mas. Cmdr. Bob

Glad to hear that the VA is passing out night guards. If they did that 30 or 40 years ago, it would have saved a lot of teeth and money. The MD's and the DDS's need to get together on this issue. Is there a protocol in the dental clinic to address PTSD vets? I have never heard of one.

Congratulations on your day, SouthernBelle. I loved it when you immediately emailed him the case law. It sounds like "you followed your Hadit Personal Statement. you were angry, but kind; demanding, but polite; and firm but soft-spoken" . Glad to hear it was a "very pleasant conversation". After what you have been through lately, many people would of "lost it " and read them the riot act. Please keep us posted on the outcome of this day. Some high level bureaucrats and politicians beguile the constituent and then disappear back behind the curtain. My most positive thoughts are with you and your family this Christmas season. I sincerely hope that your precious little son's mother has a fantastic new year. Cmdr.Bob

A 2001 VA funded study finds that PTSD patients damage teeth through involuntary grinding, clenching. http://www.sdm.buffalo.edu/news/20010308_ptsd.html " As if persons with posttraumatic stress disorder didn't have enough to worry about,..."

A 2001 VA funded study finds that PTSD patients damage teeth through involuntary grinding, clenching. I'll post more about it over in the PTSD topic forum

Do you smoke, Will?

"When it rains it pours"... then the sun shines again. Your washing machine picked a fine time to stop working. You are a kind soul and a blessing to those lives who you touch. My most positive thoughts are with you and your family this Christmas season and I wish you every success in the new year.

I don't know, one year seems like a long time to be in the final stages of your VA claim, USMC HVEQ,... Have you asked the VA for a wavier of the debt due to hardship? Over payments are a bummer. Did you make the deal with the VA to pay back $500. a month? You said that it could take a year or more to get your VA 50% PTSD increase? Did you contact the Navy Human Resources person about the delay in your VA rating increase? The Army has different phone numbers, different codes,etc... I'm Army and I don't want to steer you wrong. Your USMC. From what you have presented here, I can see that you know how to navigate through the claims process. I called the Navy CRSC phone # I gave you. It's much different than the Army CRSC unit that I called for my application form and info. Did you get the website info that the recording gives you. Better have a pen and paper handy if you call back. At least I was able to get thru to a live person when I called the Army. The difference is notable. Do you have the CRSC application package already? You have to fill out a form ( USMC form#????-??). The army CRSC analyst that I talked to about correcting my 10% PTSD ( wrong VASRD #) wrote me a letter and said that I could submit new evidence when I get my #9401 corrected to a #9411. Again check with your CRSC Board (as the Navy calls it).. See if you can file the 10% now, or if you should wait. Too many unknown factors for me to say for sure. It sounds like a lot of paper work. It's your call. If it were me. I would file now and establish the CRSC retirement pay. With 4 yrs. 2mo. of active duty, and the other factors you mentioned, it's not going to be very much $$$ per mo.

It's been my experience, ... the VSOs, generally don't want to get involved into the filing of CRSC applications. Reps from two of the established VSOs, told me they got memos to stay out of CRSC issues. Please, someone tell me it isn't so. Any CRSC success stories out there?...

Thanks for raising the topic USMC_HVEQ. You have helped other vets by your topic post, when they come here looking for CRSC info. Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law on Jan.29,2008 to include a new component for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) including permanent and Temporary Disabled Retirement List (TDRL ) retirees with under 20 years of active duty. Retro to Jan.1,2008. From start to finish, it took me under 60 days to get the check...

Here is another web site http://www.donhq.navy.mil/corb/crscb/crscmainpage.htm BINGO

Yes CRSC including your VA check USMC_HVEQ: you are a Marine. My brother was in the Marines Da Nang 66-69. I have a lot of respect for you guys. Each branch of the Military handles it's own CRSC. You are 50% VASRD # 9411. Your monthly pay depends on your rank and years of active duty. From what you have presented here, I belive that you were in the military for about 7 years and probably a NCO. I regret to report that you will probably not get much money per month. It will come in with your VA comp. check or direct deposit. It is non-taxable. It is concurrent. You have to apply thru the Navy. It's not much $$$, however I'll take it as a win with these guys. Call the Navy at 1-877-366-2772 or this website online at http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:ol1COP...lient=firefox-a CB92-93

Outstanding, Marine...

I think the VA calls DOD's VASRD # by another name. It's called Diagnostic Code number. ( DC# ) at the VA. It can be found on your VA Rating Decision (form 21-6796?, the one I'm looking at, is twenty years old and could be obsolete) , to the left of your SC condition and % rating. What is the code for your PTSD disability?

[ Larry "Judge said that the Federal Courts have NO JURISDICTION (sp) over the VA and that it would be up to the VA to police themselves"] Is there no bridge over to Fed. Civil Court system????... None? None at all?