$389,475 - In Retroactive Department Of Veterans Affairs Benefits

[carlie]

"CLINTON — For a 66-year-old Vietnam veteran, the check he received Saturday was a long-overdue thank-you for his military service,

He received $389,475 in retroactive Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, Anderson County Veterans Service Officer Leon G. Jaquet said.

Jaquet told county commissioners about the incident Tuesday during his update on benefits local veterans have received."

Full article:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2012/jan/17/anderson-county-veteran-gets-back-payment-for/

[Papa]

Carlie,

I'm very happy for the Vietnam Veteran. I'm having a problem understanding the dates when the presumptives for Agent Orange started, and I know that they vary. This Veteran put in a claim back in 1998, and because it was not presumptive at the time, it was denied(?). But when he had the VSO help him, and since the illness was now considered presumptive, he got retro from 1998(?). I thought the retro would be from the date that the illness was made presumptive to Agent Orange.

Maybe this old warhorse is barking up the wrong tree, but this is why I love hadit, you can ask some very crazy questions. After, about one year when I got out of the service I put in a claim for emotional and tremor (shaking) problems. The VSO (AL) put the claim in for me, and it was denied since there was nothing in my medical records. I was not given a C&P exam. I was not informed by the VSO that I could appeal, just go home. Now, I know Parkinson's has been presumptive since around Aug 2010. I was rated by the VA around Feb 2011 at 30%. My effective date was the date I submitted my claim, but my question is, if Agent Orange was presumptive in Aug 2010, why would it not be presumptive in 1973? If Agent Orange was bad in 2010, it was bad in 1973. JMHO

Papa

[john999]

AO compensation is based on the date you file a claim and the date the condition is deemed presumptive by the VA. If you filed for DMII in 1980 and were denied because DMII wasn't presumptive you would have a retro claim to that 1980 date when DMII became presumptive in the 1990's (date ?), but I think you would still have to file a second claim ( I could be wrong about that). We were all exposed back in the 60's and 70's but until you file a claim you get nothing even if you took the AO Registry Exam that does not establish a date for a claim. I know it does not seem fair to me either.

Papa

Think about it. They make some guy with a heart condition wait 20 years to get SC just because the VA waits 40 years to make IHD presumptive. That vet deserves every penny. As for the rest of us they are just holding off and waiting for us to die. You know the VA does not do their own AO research. You can imagine how anxious they are to find that AO causes all cancers and just about all fatal diseases. Dioxin is one of the world's most toxic substances. We were exposed to it for a year at least.

[myround0]

I am happy this Vet got his due. I have been in line for 48 months. At some point the cows have to come home to roost...

[ArmyDaughter]

Good For Him!!

Always nice to see someone achieve success with the VA!!!

[justrluk]

I think it's great he finaly received his claimed award, but is it really a good idea to publish his name, dollar amount, etc??? Is our names and rates of disability free for public release??? I'd just worry for his safety. People come out of the woodwork when things like this are published.

[carlie]

is it really a good idea to publish his name, dollar amount, etc???

Is our names and rates of disability free for public release???

I'd just worry for his safety. People come out of the woodwork when things like this are published.

just,

This was for a news article so I'm sure they had him sign off to list his

personal info in the article.

This is not general info for the public unless for some reason such as this,

we allow it to be.

Maybe we should write him a letter saying we need some financial help because

our mama's - aunt's - cousin's - sister, needs an emergency kidney transplant : -)