Vietnam & Agent Orange

[SSGmajik]

I was hoping someone could help me help my dad. My dad served in the navy & was in Vietnam in early 69' to early 70'. He spent most of hits time in Chu Lai & Da Nang. He has a long list of health problems, but I don't know the first thing of what might be caused, if any, from agent orange. I know for one thing he has nightmares! I remember as a kid you could not wake him up without him jumping up with his fists in the air ready to take someone out! I still remember him screaming alot in the middle of the night & he would wake up pouring sweat! Anyway, if anyone can point me in the right direction or give me any advice, to help him file a claim I would appreciate it. He has never filed a claim before & is currently on social security disability. He needs help & deserves so much, as all veterans, for his service to our country!

Thanks,

SSGmajik

[Chuck75]

The first thing you will need to do is gather, obtain, whatever, all of his service records, and particuliarly those that show in country service (Vietnam, referred to as "feet on ground") Next evidence of any medical conditions that are first, presumptive, and any others that might be a result of military service. At some point, you will need to obtain medical opinions and current medical records. These can be a result of a claim for benefits for conditions that are associated with Agent Orange exposure, or general military service. The VA web site has information on the paperwork or online application needed to start a claim. The VA watchdog web site, as well as references on this website are/will be helpfull.

One of the major problems is the time the VA takes to do almost anything. I suspect you are looking for any available help now, and not a year or so down the road.

If mental health issues are involved, a diagnosis of PTSD might be made by the VA. I also suspect that your father has never "registered" with the VA for medial care. This should be done, so that a VA medical file is started. If your father was awarded SSDI for conditions that are on the A O presumptive list, this helps quite a bit, although the VA is not bound by an SSA SSDI determination and award. (Just everyone else in the country!)

You should also do a web search of the term agent orange, and look at the related information on the va web site.

Some help with filing an initial VA claim can usually be obtained from the state's department of veteran affairs. (Or whatever they are called in your state.)

In Georgia, for example, the state's veteran's service reps usually have an office that is either local or near a veteran's location.

Edited May 11, 2012 by Chuck75

[Guest terrysturgis]

Chuck75, your responce was well thought out and good advice. SSGMajik, time to get to work and thanks for helping your dad. Terry

[SSGmajik]

Thank you for all the info Chuck75, I appreciate it. I will get started on this today by researching first. My dad has never wanted to file before, because he never wanted to believe he had any problems or nor did he want help. His health is deteriorating fast & I told him you deserve this, and you need to file. He has actually been going to the VA for the past year for medical care. I told him last year to start going incase he ever decided he wanted to file. The doctors have said he has multiple symptoms from AO. I'm not sure if he has his MSR yet. We've got a lot of work to do & we will take it one step at a time & make sure we get it right. Thank you again for your help.

Terrysturgis, It's the least I can do for my dad, he's always been my hero!

Thanks,

SSGmajik

[Berta]

“The doctors have said he has multiple symptoms from AO “

That is a difficult statement to interpret.

The AO presumptives are listed here:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp#veterans

Under the Soft Tissue Sarcoma statement, there are about 34 forms of STS and I listed them separately and the list can be searched here at hadit.

Also as a Blue Water Navy vet, as you know, the Blue Water AO situation is still up in the air but hopefully getting momentum. With positive proof of Vietnam visitation and an AO presumptive disabiliity the VA will grant him comp under the AO regs.

I suggest (I am a member of Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Association)

that you go to their site:

http://www.bluewaternavy.org/

John Rossie ,our president of BWNVVA who has testified to the H VAC on behalf of Blue Waters as well as Carol Olzanecki, a widow of a AO Navy vet, have done tremendous work as advocates on the Blue Water issue of Equity- all info there at the site.

Also perhaps the VA has already conceded that the ship your father was on was in fact an AO ship.

The most updated AO Ships list is at the BWN site, at the VA web site and also I posted updates here at hadit as I got them as ships are added.

H might not have to prove boots on ground if his ship is already on the AO list.

[john999]

I talked to a Korean vet who was there in 67-68 and has DMII. I tried to get him to find out about AO Registry to see if he was in the right part of Korea. I know he was in Northern part of S. Korea because this was after the Pueblo. He was an armed MP and did guard duty behind a machinegun. As usual I got nowhere with this guy. He just cannot believe the VA would ever do anything for him or that he might be entitled to something. I don't know either but he is retiring in a year with no pension just SSA.

John

[Berta]

John, you have always provided consistent help and intelligent advise here to vets ,on a daily basis, for Years and I believe you were the first hadit member here to welcome me on board here ,over 10 years ago.

I know how frustrating this can be when we know vets might have a good chance for a SC claim but - as someone here said recently - 'you can lead a horse to water but cant make them drink.'

With the years of help you have provided here, believe me, there are some situations we just have to walk away from.

There are too many other vets out there who appreciate our work , are willing to consider our advise, and who truly need our help.

BTW the entire crew of the Pueblo comes under the Korea AO regulations:

http://www1.va.gov/o...ase.cfm?id=2035 This includes the date extension I posted here when it came out in early 2011

and it includes the unit list.

http://www.gmasw.com/ao_out.htm

Edited May 11, 2012 by Berta