Is It Worth While To Apply For Va Compensation

[toddt]

Not long ago the USS Vancouver (LPD-2) was added to the list of agent orange ships. A shipmate of mine from the Vancouver urged me to apply for VA benefits. I am physically okay except for my hearing, so I saw no reason for applying.

I am presently vacationing in Florida at an RV park with a group of retired military. I am surprised at the number of them that are receiving VA compensation benefits. One of the group, Russ, explained to me that I should be a "shoe in" to receive compensation and that I owe it to my wife to apply. So, I have sent for my my military service and medical records.

I was on the USS Vancouver when it was in Viet Nam in 1968. In 1969 I was attending ET "B" school on Treasure Island when I noticed a lump under my jaw. I didn't pay much attention to the lump until it started to hurt. Was sent to Oak Knoll Naval hospital for a biopsy. When I awoke in ICU from the biopsy I found out that they had done a radical neck dissection. Diagnosis was adenoid cystic carcinoma. A little over a month later I was returned to active duty to finish "B" school and then on to my next duty station. I retired from the Navy in 1980 with 22 years service.

Sorry for the long introduction. I have several questions. I was told by my present doctor that adenoid cystic carcinoma was not caused by agent orange (how he knows that, I have no idea). I have found on the internet that many adenoid cystic carcinoma applications have been denied and only one so far that has been approved. Because I have had no recurrence should I apply for compensation? If so, on what basis?

In 2001 I had a heart attack. The hospital (civilian) put a stent in my artery. Russ, told me to apply for that and list the cause as agent orange, does this sound feasible?

[jbasser]

Hell yes file the claim for the heart attack. DO it on line using the Fully Developed claim process as it will gofaster. IHD is the same thing as Coronary artery disease and if you had a blockage, it is a presumed AO disease. Get a copy of the cath report from the place that did it. You wiill need your Ejection Fraction from the Angio Procedure.

You just have to put yourself on the ship at the time and did you go ashore?

The cancer can be filed also but they will only pay for residuals.

[toddt]

Regarding going ashore. We had to go ashore in Danang to help repair several Mike boats. They were damaged from RPG's. One of the radars had been hit with small arms fire, we disassembled it and rebuilt it. We also checked all electronic gear and repaired whatever we could. Boats were also brought aboard the Vancouver and we worked on them in the well deck.

[john999]

File your claim! What have you got to lose? Eventually, every RVN vet will die from some AO disease if they live long enough.

John