New Agent Orange Policy Will Make Disability Benefits Available to More Vets
Date Published: Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
A new proposal on Agent Orange health claims issued this week by the Department of Veterans Affairs will make it much easier for veterans injured by the toxin to make claims for disability payments and health care services. Under the proposal, three illnesses – B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease – will be added to the growing list of illnesses presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange.
Agent Orange was widely used during the Vietnam War as a defoliant to remove enemy hiding places. According to The New York Times, Agent Orange was the most common herbicide used in the war. It contained one of the most toxic forms of dioxin, which has since been linked to some cancers.
According to a VA press release, between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange. Many of those exposed to the toxin continue to suffer health problems.
The decision to add B cell leukemias, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease to the roster of presumed Agent Orange illnesses brings the total number of ailments on the list to 15. Other presumed Agent Orange illnesses include:
* Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
* AL Amyloidosis
* 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, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits. According to the Times, it is estimated that about 200,000 veterans might seek benefits under the proposed change in policy.
According to The New York Times, the new Agent Orange policy will apply to some 2.1 million veterans who set foot in Vietnam during the war, including those who came after the military stopped using Agent Orange in 1970. It will not apply to sailors on deep-water ships, though VA says it plans to study the effects of Agent Orange on the Navy.
The decision to expand the list of presumed Agent Orange illnesses was based on an independent study released in July by the Institute of Medicine, the VA press release said.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 6:17 am and is filed under Health Concerns, Toxic Substances.
A new proposal on Agent Orange health claims issued this week by the Department of Veterans Affairs will make it much easier for veterans injured by the toxin to make claims for disability payments and health care services. Under the proposal, three illnesses – B cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease – will be added to the growing list of illnesses presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange.
Agent Orange was widely used during the Vietnam War as a defoliant to remove enemy hiding places. According to The New York Times, Agent Orange was the most common herbicide used in the war. It contained one of the most toxic forms of dioxin, which has since been linked to some cancers.
According to a VA press release, between January 1965 and April 1970, an estimated 2.6 million military personnel who served in Vietnam were potentially exposed to sprayed Agent Orange. Many of those exposed to the toxin continue to suffer health problems.
The decision to add B cell leukemias, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease to the roster of presumed Agent Orange illnesses brings the total number of ailments on the list to 15. Other presumed Agent Orange illnesses include:
* Acute and Subacute Transient Peripheral Neuropathy
* AL Amyloidosis
* 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, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
Veterans who served in Vietnam during the war and who have a “presumed” illness don’t have to prove an association between their illnesses and their military service. This “presumption” simplifies and speeds up the application process for benefits. According to the Times, it is estimated that about 200,000 veterans might seek benefits under the proposed change in policy.
According to The New York Times, the new Agent Orange policy will apply to some 2.1 million veterans who set foot in Vietnam during the war, including those who came after the military stopped using Agent Orange in 1970. It will not apply to sailors on deep-water ships, though VA says it plans to study the effects of Agent Orange on the Navy.
The decision to expand the list of presumed Agent Orange illnesses was based on an independent study released in July by the Institute of Medicine, the VA press release said.
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This entry was posted
on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 6:17 am and is filed under Health Concerns, Toxic Substances.
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October 14th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
What about dependents who have reached adulthood who’s father’s have already died from Agent Orange Poisoning?
October 14th, 2009 at 5:43 pm
i’m a Vietnam veteran and i have some of the illness mention in the update on the Agent Orange illnesses. I would like future information on how to apply for these benefit. Thank you in advance.
October 15th, 2009 at 1:21 am
Since the first study came out and back in 1978 I applied for help regarding agent orange from the VAMC in Phoenix, Arizona. As of last year and prior to that I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have been 90 percent disabled and accordingly have many symtoms but still get denied the full or total disability. Many others I have seen can enter the system and get 100 %
October 15th, 2009 at 5:41 am
What about some of us that were exposed to agent orange while stationed in the USA at base’s where it was stored and leaking into the ground unknown to us ?
October 15th, 2009 at 6:42 am
I have been applying to be 100% due to my diabetes type2,but the VA keeps on denying my claim.They awarded me 70% disability and accordingly have some other disability,still got denied.I have seen so many Veterans who are stronger than animal,yet is/are receiving 100%benefit.
October 17th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
What about all of us; US Navy Veterrans that were exposed to agent orange while stationed on broadships ( Carriers and transportships) that carried the agent orange to Overseas base’s, loaded or loaded aircrafts on carriers that sprayed Vietnam, and manhandled the agent orange where it was stored and leaking onto the deck of the ship and grounds unknown to us ?
October 24th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Carlos: NAVY – If you were on the shores of Vietnam – YOU can file a claim -
Any one who wants to file a claim can do so on line* or at ANY Va Hospital -
free forums at VA.gov -
October 29th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
IN 1996 I SUFFERED 4-5 ISHEMIC STROKES AND HOSPITALIZED 5 WEEKS WITH PERMANENT MEMORY PROBLEMS. I WAS US NAVY, AND VIETNAM VET IN 1964-1965. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 3 CLAIMS TURNED DOWN AFTER STROKES IN MY AGE 50′S. NOW I AM TOLD THAT THE US NAVY HAS NEVER RECEIVED THE BENEFIT APPROVALS THAT THE ARMY AND MARINES RECEIVED FROM VA. I GUESS WHEN ENOUGH OF US DIE FROM AGENT ORANGE THEY WILL MAKE THE REST ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS? WE WORKED FROM THE SAIGON RIVER TO CAMBODIA FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS, BUT DID’NT COME INCONTACT WTIH AGENT ORANGE? DID’NT DRINK OR EAT IT FROM DISTILLED WATER? MEANWHILE I KEEP GOING TO VIETNAM VETERANS FUNERALS WHO HAVE’NT REACHED AGE 65.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Within a month after my return from RVN my legs from my knees down slowly went numb. Wanting nothing further to do with anything military I did nothing. In 2000 I had an EMG done and they said I had peripheral neuropathy and suggested I file a claim. It was denied because I didn’t come see the VA within 2 years. I served in northern Tay Nhin Province in 68 and 69 and was exposed to agent orange regularly.
January 25th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
all 3 of our kids have had birth defects what can be done for them. my youngest son’s kids have birth defects so what can be done for them n mansch
May 9th, 2010 at 2:06 am
I was a ranch hand in 68-69 and always
had it spilled on me. I have now Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma). Also Chloracne, which is practly all over my
body. Multiple Myeloma, which are very dark, bleed, and don’t go away.
Meny mental health issues as PTSD; Depression; anixety and panic attacks.
Since my return in ‘70, I can not keep a job longer than 2yrs, because of bouths of much anger and stress. I have even thought of many times of sucide.
It is so hard to imagine that Vietnam Vets were treated so badly upon return and now with the gulf war, everyone sings their praizes. This in itself is
very hard to accept as we had blood thrown on us while arriving. Being called ‘babykillers, and so much more.