M14 Forum

straight shooter

Gents-
I know of no other place where I could get better/more info than here, so heres the story.
Ive got a friend/co-worker whos brother is dying from Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam. He has been officially diagnosed from the V.A. {Alvin C. York Center in Murfreesboro TN**.
My questions to you all are-
What are ALL the benefits and/or monies is this gentleman and his family entitled to?
Isnt there a fund set up some time ago specifically for these vets afffected by A.O. exposure?
What are his funeral benefits? Casket, headstone, Honor Gaurd, or what?
ANY info yall may have is needed. This is a poor, rural family, and just from talking to my friend, they dont seem to know that he is entitled to anything as of now. And, I DO NOT trust the V.A. to be forthcoming with all the info they need.
Please gents- any info you have, websites, articles, phone numbers, organizations, ect. will be very helpful.
Lets get this warrior and his family all that they DESERVE.
THANK YOU & SEMPER FI.

art7

http://www.aowac.org/pdf/agent_orange_benefits_act.pdf

Go to Google and type in 'agent orange benefits'.

CAVman

That particular Link doesn't seem to have any relevance to the OP's Question...it pertains only to Children of Vietnam Vets who have Spina Bifida...
(No Offense Intended!)

I Would Be Interested to See Good Info...if anybody has a really Good Link?



CAVman in WYoming

jburr01369

I am also interested. I remember an Air Farce C-130 flying overhead spraying that crap in Quang Tri Province in 1968.

I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in 1997. I'm hearing rumors that this is also caused by exposure to Agent Orange (but - I am chronic procrastinator. Haven't looked into it yet). An Army Viet Vet uncle and I are the only diabetics in the family.

So, what's the word?

JR

http://www.vva.org/Guides/AgentOrangeGuide.pdf

http://www.military.com/benefits/vet...e/agent-orange

http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-...-diabetes.html


Simple search gave these up. Several may seem to be the same thing, but there always seems to be a nugget or two of additional information. Based, I suppose on the source's experiences.

Sgt Maj

I posted this earlier but it still applies. I (like you guys) didn't/don't fully trust the VA. Not only does the VA keep an eye on them, they represent YOUR interests. Contact the DAV and see what they say. It doesn't cost a cent.

BTW Heart disease is also considered a presumptive Viet Nam condition.

------------
Gents, you may consider having the Disabled American Veterans represent your cases. These guys do a terrific job filing and tracking claims. They will take care of you. I speak from personal experience.

http://www.dav.org/
http://www.dav.org/veterans/VeteransAffairs.aspx

"National Service Officers (NSO) function as attorneys-in-fact, assisting veterans and their families in filing claims for VA disability compensation and pension; vocational rehabilitation and employment; education; home loan guaranty; life insurance; death benefits; health care and much more. They provide free services, such as information seminars, counseling and community outreach. NSOs also represent veterans and active duty military personnel before Discharge Review Boards, Boards for Correction of Military Records, Physical Evaluation Boards and other official panels."

lefty o

along with the DAV, try contacting your local VFW or American Legion posts. they have people that know the system and can help get whatever benefits are available to the the vet.
jburr get in and see the VA, agent orange has been linked to one heck of a lot of problems, and i am almost certain diabetes was on the list.

jburr01369

Thanks, Lefty. I will grab my DD-214 and my prescriptions and head in to the County VA office on Monday.

straight shooter

Im relaying all the info thus far.
I was hoping some of yall knew some info over and above whats on the government sites.
I just want this guy to get his due. Damn it...it pisses me off no end how our vets are treated, maybe I/WE here can make a difference with this one vet.
The best and brightest serve and die and get mutilated physically & mentally...while SCUM OF THE EARTH govern us from "on high" and screw them every chance they get.
But let a vote on more Welfare come up, and theyre on it like a crack addict.
Rant ending before it gets worse.

JMGlasgow

I'm pretty sure diabetes is more prevalent in people who have been exposed to AO. My dad served in Vietnam and has developed diabetes. He does get his meds covered by the V.A.

art7

Re-read the first post I put up as a link to a PDF. It is about kids of vets, most of which is not relevant, but on the last page are a string of contacts that are able to help, and are not necessarily government related.

RAMMAC

As per usual the government is probably too late with these benefits but just as an update and in case some have not seen this info;

Link to the origin of the info below along with links to references in the article http://naus.org/news/news_veterans.h...FQYLbAodJl_rAg

Final Agent Orange Rule Issued by VA
8/31/10 – The final rule regarding addition of Parkinson's Disease, ischemic heart disease, and B-cell leukemias as presumptive conditions caused by exposure to Agent Orange has been issued by the VA. Veterans with presumed conditions do not have to provide extensive proof linking their medical problems with their military service, which simplifies and speeds up the claims process and helps ensure these veterans receive the benefits they deserve. Any veteran who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, is presumed to have been exposed to herbicides. Additionally, service on many Navy and Coast Guard vessels also presumes such exposure (see story below).

More than 150,000 veterans are expected to submit new Agent Orange claims in the next year, many of whom are potentially eligible for retroactive disability payments based on past claims. VA will also review approximately 90,000 previously denied claims by Vietnam vets for service connection for these conditions.

NAUS encourages Vietnam veterans with any of these three conditions to submit their claim for access to VA health care and any benefits compensation. How to file a claim for presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure, as well as what evidence is needed by VA to make a decision about disability compensation or survivors benefits can be found online here.

More Info on New Agent Orange Benefits
The VA had already ruled the following conditions were “presumptive” regarding exposure to Agent Orange:Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy; Chloracne; Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia; Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2); Hodgkin’s Disease; Multiple Myeloma; Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; Prostate Cancer; Respiratory Cancers, and Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondro-sarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma).

This means that veterans who suffer from one of these diseases are entitled to service-connected disability compensation from the VA as long as they stepped foot on land in Vietnam during active duty at any time between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. It does not matter when the condition or disease first appeared.

Death benefits (Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)) are also being expanded, and will be available to qualifying surviving family members of Vietnam veterans who have died, or who die in the future, from one of the 3 new presumptive diseases. Additionally, many Vietnam vets with retiree status may also be eligible for tax exempt Combat Related Special Compensation of up to $3,000 monthly, in the case of 100% agent Orange disability including retroactive back pay.

VA Lists Navy Ships that Qualify for Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure
6/10 – The Department of Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension Service has issued 2 lists of naval vessels it has verified conducted operations on the inland “brown water” rivers and delta areas of Vietnam. The lists also identify certain vessel types that operated primarily on the inland waterways. If a veteran’s service aboard one of these ships can be confirmed through military records during the time frames specified, then exposure to herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Orange) can be presumed. The lists include all vessels of Inshore Fire Support (IFS) Division 93; all vessels with the designation LST, LCVP, PCF (“Swift Boats”), and PBR during their entire Vietnam tour; all Coast Guard WPBs and WHECs during their Vietnam tours. Several other vessels and time frames of operations are included in these lists. See list issued 1/10 , and list issued 6/10.

CHARLIED308

I hate the VA......

MaadiMan

I haven't read all the posts but I will tell you what he is entitled to as a Veteran. This applies to any US Veteran. His next of kin will need to provide his DD-214 and service # for any of this to happen.

He can be buried in the National Cemetery at no charge. There is one in Chattanooga, TN. My dad was buried there. Without any cost to the veteran, they will provide a Vault for the casket, also they will open and close the grave and provide an Honor Guard. They will supply an American Flag to drape over the casket.

The Veteran will only have to provide a casket.

If he is married, his wife will be allowed to be buried with him when the time comes at no charge also.

Hope this is not too late to help.

CPTKILLER

Since I no longer have health insurance, the VA is my only choice. Getting a few bucks from the VA isn't difficult if you were actually on the ground I'm Vietnam. Along with 20% disability you can get free diabetes meds & supplies from the VA.

In most cases you have to go to a VA clinic & later file with a county/parish VA Rep. I have had other issues develop over time from Agent Orange. I'm waiting on a reply from the VA.

For those who waited years like yours truly, this is dumb. I did & realized finally the problem.

With regard to the gentlemen planning & dealing with funerals & etc., do contact the coumty/parish office ASAP. Also, the DAV & other veteran's organizations can help. The DAV has chapters around most states & state offices that can help.