ptsd Tonsil Cancer Granted Disability

[Cavman]

I`ve been gone a long time Berta. You and others helped me so much back in 2005 & 2006. I filed for PTSD and Agent Orange in 2005. I was awarded 50% PTSD and denied Agent Orange because my tonsil cancer wasn`t on presumptive list. I just found cases that were granted disabilities for tonsil cancer and even found a case that was won a few weeks ago at my VA regional office where a VA Oncologist stated my cancer and herbicide exposure are connected. The VA took it as credible evidence. I know the VA has been considering adding tonsil cancer to the AO list.

I am now getting 100% benefits, but it is due to being IU. I went a year getting 50% for PTSD only and am considering filing for tonsil cancer (ao) disability and 100% payment for that year. What do you think are my chances.

My cancer was Stage 4 tonsil cancer that had spread to lymphnodes. The radiation burned my saliva glands up and my tongue so that I have no saliva or taste for life. Also burned hair off the back of part of my head for life and many mental issues.

I don`t feel they can award it to others and not to others of us that got it.

I was sprayed in Korea in 1969 on the DMZ with 4/7th Cav in 2nd Infantry and 11th Cav in Vietnam/Cambodia 1970.

Edited December 31, 2008 by Cavman

[Berta]

The settlement funds from the DOW AO lawsuit have all been paid out.

I don't know who you could sue.

If you mean this case:

http://www.va.gov/vetapp08/files2/0811546.txt

this is on remand- I dont see anything there that could help you.

A strong medical opinion (by a doctor who has considered all of your medical records,that gives a full medical rationale for the nexus of your cancer to dioxin would be what you need to succeed in this claim.

There is an unusual AO case at the BVA ( posted it here long ago) that fully service connected a disease not on the AO list to the vet's exposure to herbicides in service.

The veteran had obtained an opinion from a medical environmntal specialist who ruled out all other tiologys for the vet's disease, but for dioxon and the vet got AO SC.

[Berta]

PS the VA added Amyoloidosis to the AO presumptive list in Nov 2008 and prior to that Chronic Leucocyte lymphoma.

There are no other new additions to the AO presumptive list.

[Commander Bob]

Thanks Berta for your response.

Congratulations caveman on a clean Pet scan. I am glad to hear that you are keeping on top of it and following through with the check ups. Where did you receive your treatment?

Berta is correct about the Agent Orange settlement.... IMHO, The vets, with the help of incompetent council, gave away the farm, a long time ago with that $180.million dollar, "dog and pony show". If you can find a loop hole with a law suit, please tell us about it. IMO, you won't find one.

It sounds like you let the time run out on your A.O. NOD. Sorry. I searched out the BVA cases that you mentioned as well as the one Berta posted, till I am crossed eye, and cannot find a connection between squamous cell cancer and an approved VA AO claim. In my NOD, after I get my VA denial letter, I will introduce what I call the Agent Orange Kool Aid evidence, as well as other evidence to link squamous cell with the ingestion of dioxin, as well as unique evidence to my AO appeal. We owe it to our widows to keep our claims alive long after our deaths due to the criminal actions of our Gov. and the use of AO. Reopen your AO claim, somehow caveman. I am tracking down a lab in Europe, that measures dioxin in the fat tissue. Here in the States, there is a cheep bogus blood test that can be performed. However it's not worth the paper its printed on. Please tell me more about the side effects you are experiencing. Did you have chemo, or surgery also? I need to have my 6 month check up, but wanted to wait till after the holidays for the new PET scan. I lost 50 lbs. and can't seem to gain it back or thrive in the way I anticipated, this far along. I'll know the score soon.

Happy New Year All,

Cmdr. Bob

Edited January 1, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93

[Commander Bob]

I`ve had 3 pet scans since Jan 06...Last one was 8 weeks ago...I`m also checked every 6 weeks now...still clean, but as you know, we never know...

I was past my year, but I read in denial that we can still appeal if we find evidence that proves decision was wrong. Cavman

Are talking about a CUE?..... doubtful

[Cavman]

Thanks Berta for your response.

Congratulations caveman on a clean Pet scan. I am glad to hear that you are keeping on top of it and following through with the check ups. Where did you receive your treatment?

Berta is correct about the Agent Orange settlement.... IMHO, The vets, with the help of incompetent council, gave away the farm, a long time ago with that $180.million dollar, "dog and pony show". If you can find a loop hole with a law suit, please tell us about it. IMO, you won't find one.

It sounds like you let the time run out on your A.O. NOD. Sorry. I searched out the BVA cases that you mentioned as well as the one Berta posted, till I am crossed eye, and cannot find a connection between squamous cell cancer and an approved VA AO claim. In my NOD, after I get my VA denial letter, I will introduce what I call the Agent Orange Kool Aid evidence, as well as other evidence to link squamous cell with the ingestion of dioxin, as well as unique evidence to my AO appeal. We owe it to our widows to keep our claims alive long after our deaths due to the criminal actions of our Gov. and the use of AO. Reopen your AO claim, somehow caveman. I am tracking down a lab in Europe, that measures dioxin in the fat tissue. Here in the States, there is a cheep bogus blood test that can be performed. However it's not worth the paper its printed on. Please tell me more about the side effects you are experiencing. Did you have chemo, or surgery also? I need to have my 6 month check up, but wanted to wait till after the holidays for the new PET scan. I lost 50 lbs. and can't seem to gain it back or thrive in the way I anticipated, this far along. I'll know the score soon.

Happy New Year All,

Cmdr. Bob

Bob:

If you have been done with treatment only 6 months I know you are going through a tough time my friend. Where was your cancer? I will make a list when I can for you as to what I could eat and drink and get a little satisfaction from. I spent a bundle buying foods and couldn`t eat them. One thing is sweets...that will be what you want most. I`ll send you a list soon. I took my treatment at U of Mi...30 minutes radiation a day for 7 weeks and 4 hours chemo every Monday for 7 weeks. They have cut the treatment in half since and the people have lots less damage. Good for them.

Go to VA.GOV...VA HOME PAGE...SCROLL TO LEFT TO BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS...CLICVK ON SEARCH DECISIONS...TYPE IN TONSIL CANCER 2008...GO TO PAGE 2...LOOK AT FIRST (#0824005.txt)THIRD (#0833482.txt)AND FIFTH (#0829366.txt) DECISIONS. These cases are no different than me except for I was sprayed in Korea and Nam. How can these Nam vets be granted AO disability and us not? Again, I am getting 100% payment, but I want this disability in case the cancer returns and kills me. I want this for my family to be able to get benefits.

[Commander Bob]

I was awarded 50% PTSD and denied Agent Orange because my tonsil cancer wasn`t on presumptive list.

"My cancer was Stage 4 tonsil cancer that had spread to lymphnodes. The radiation burned my saliva glands up and my tongue so that I have no saliva or taste for life. Also burned hair off the back of part of my head for life and many mental issues." ]

Caveman,...I too had metastatic upper respiratory cancer that spread to a lymphoid and a tonsil. I was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma. What kind of cancer did you have? Did you get your taste buds back yet? How long ago did you finish your cancer treatments? I have the same side effects as you, .

The radiation also fried my thyroid. How about you? ... Amazing experience

["VA.GOV...VA HOME PAGE...SCROLL TO LEFT TO BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS...CLICVK ON SEARCH DECISIONS...TYPE IN TONSIL CANCER 2008...GO TO PAGE 2...LOOK AT FIRST (#0824005.txt)THIRD (#0833482.txt)AND FIFTH (#0829366.txt) DECISIONS"]....#1 no AO included filed. Jet fuel........#2 non smoker/ drinker.......# 3 non smoker...

Thanks for all the info CavMan. I used to smoke. Started at age 17, when I joined the Army. Did you smoke? I will use the PTSD /smoking nexus to conclude that one Service Connection condition contributed to another SC condition... Also I remember the 'Moonscapes" in the Central Highlands, that can be found on old AO maps.

In addition, I participated in an "Upper Respiratory Infection" medical experiment at Ft. Dix in the mid 60's, where we were infected with URI by ingestion and gargling repetitively. Has anyone else ever experienced or heard of that medical experiment @ Ft. Dix NJ, in the 1960's?

Thanks again Cavman for the heads up.

Edited January 5, 2009 by Commander Bob 92-93