Need Advice For My Buddy

[david walker]

I have a buddy who was in Nam. His legs are eat slap up. The fronts of calves stay inflammed (red/purple)and scabby, yes its painful. The knot head went to VA 100 years ago and they turned him away. He thinks they won't do nothing now. He has no records other than his 214. He works like dog everyday in a factory, he's 58, he's no whinner. I just hate it for him. Does anybody know what this might be. He's been to doctor's but never got much help or a good explaination for whats wrong. Mostly he puts up with it and doctor's it on his own. I've tried to talk to him, begged him to go. Anybody got any ideals on what it is or what he can do?

Edited March 30, 2006 by david walker

[Berta]

David- a lot of Nam vets have jungle rot- my husband unfortunately (I tell you people everything dont I?) he had jungle Crotch rot-

It is called tinea curiae and is a fungus that some of you guys got when you were in trenches filled with monsoon water in Nam and you were always in sweaty utilities or BDUs.

It is just like athletes foot-the meds for Atheletes foot can be very affective.Not great with crotch rot but the VA told him to use the same stuff for his crotch.

He got in trouble at VA on the job because they found out when he had heart attack that he didnt wear underwear-

because of this problem. His boss made a fuss and Rod asked for the VA law that said he had to wear underwear while employed at the VA (he was a real pisser just like me) well the boss showed him some reg.

Rod said OK -I will comply- and buy a pair of underwear and wear them to work , however the VA law does not say I ever have to change them. Then he put crotch rot into his claim.

I know a vet who soaks his feet in clorox to get rid of this-

Or this vet could have a skin condition due to diabetes from Nam.(AO)

Diabetics can get many skin conditions and they should claim them as secondary to AO DMII.

He needs a good diagnosis-I dont see how the VA could turn him away-

Give him a print out of this- it could help his doctor diagnose him-

I dont think it is chloracne.

I dont know of a single Nam vet who ever got comp for that.

Edited March 30, 2006 by Berta

[StarVista888]

He may have to go to a Dermatologgist or Infectious Disious Specialist. Chemicals may be an issue as well - exposure. I v0te go then you will (eventually ) no!

Starvista888

He needs to keep records of when it started, what makes it bettter a bit, what makes it worse, pain involved? what meds has he tried? etc. The doc will need to know all that to make a good diagosis.

I forgot to add - parasites etc..