Need Some Help For Another Vet

[SouthernBelle]

Hey, I've got an interesting case. This fellow I know has stage four lung cancer; now, he's smoked for years, but the cancer specialist he's seeing says that it is NOT just from smoking. (I have NO idea how they can tell that). This particular Vet did two tours in Korea and was in a nasty tank accident that resulted in a broken jaw. The VA hasn't service connected him for anything, but I think he may be able to get service connected for the lung cancer (or the broken jaw) if the doctor can say, that some kind of chemical exposure caused the cancer to be so severe. What should our steps be to help this guy? He can't work and has to wait five more months to get SSDI, and they went to the VA in Savannah and were told that he was in priority group 8. HE'S STAGE FOUR for Pete's sake! ANY advice on how to help them would be greatly appreciated.

[Berta]

If this veteran has lung cancer of soft tissue sarcoma type and served near the DMZ (38th Parallel) in Korea (by what his MOS was or if he had DMZ guard Duties during the limited time frame in 1968 and 1969 that AO was sprayed there (regs available under AO Korea search at hadit and also at NVLSP web site)-he would have a very probative claim for lung cancer due to AO exposure.

Otherwise there would have to be something in his SMRs and other service records that strongly suggested another etiology such as other toxins caused his lung cancer. If he was never treated in the service for anything with a potential medical nexus to what he has today- he would (if not being able to file under the AO Korea regs) have to determine what toxins he was exposed to and prove this and then prove how they caused his lung cancer.

If he does not fall under the Korea AO regs he will need a strong medical opinion for this claim.

"but the cancer specialist he's seeing says that it is NOT just from smoking." That is the doctor he needs to get an opinion from.

[SouthernBelle]

Thanks, Berta. His wife is coming to my house on Thursday. I'll request his SMRs and service records then. See where we can go from there. He served between 81-91, so no AO. We'll have a lot of work to do.

If this veteran has lung cancer of soft tissue sarcoma type and served near the DMZ (38th Parallel) in Korea (by what his MOS was or if he had DMZ guard Duties during the limited time frame in 1968 and 1969 that AO was sprayed there (regs available under AO Korea search at hadit and also at NVLSP web site)-he would have a very probative claim for lung cancer due to AO exposure.

Otherwise there would have to be something in his SMRs and other service records that strongly suggested another etiology such as other toxins caused his lung cancer. If he was never treated in the service for anything with a potential medical nexus to what he has today- he would (if not being able to file under the AO Korea regs) have to determine what toxins he was exposed to and prove this and then prove how they caused his lung cancer.

If he does not fall under the Korea AO regs he will need a strong medical opinion for this claim.

"but the cancer specialist he's seeing says that it is NOT just from smoking." That is the doctor he needs to get an opinion from.

[hotcoffee2]

sarcoma of the lung is a rare cancer. sarcoma primaries are usually bone, connective tissue cancers. the following site might help you get a bit of a direction. http://www.curesarcoma.org/aboutSarcoma.htm

Thanks, Berta. His wife is coming to my house on Thursday. I'll request his SMRs and service records then. See where we can go from there. He served between 81-91, so no AO. We'll have a lot of work to do.

[SouthernBelle]

Thanks, Pattik. When she comes over on Thursday I'll get the particulars on his type of cancer.

[hotcoffee2]

southernb....his medical record and treatment will be important should there be a possibility of service connection. i was sorry to drop a url on you, but there wasn't much information there. sarcoma of the lungs is a diagnostic possibility. i will help you anyway i can.

Thanks, Pattik. When she comes over on Thursday I'll get the particulars on his type of cancer.