We're all going to die from it, eventually, or a lot of us will," said Stenvold. She has reapplied for the spousal benefit six times in the last three years, hoping the VA will reconsider its decision. On the 60th anniversary of the first use of Agent Orange in Vietnam, we bring you a couple of personal stories from people whose lives are still marked by the use of this deadly toxin. Mike Yates, 68, who served on the USS Bainbridge off the coast of Vietnam from 1971 to 1972, has prostate cancer, which is on the presumptive list. Veterans service groups say it can be worth trying to bring such claims even though they can be difficult. These conditions are: That being said, you can also receive service connection for a condition not on the above list by supplying medical evidence that your condition was at least as likely as not caused by your exposure to herbicides. Fred Wilcox, a former professor of writing at Ithaca College and the author of two books on Agent Orange exposure, said that much of that dismissal was related to class in the years just after the war. The disease moved swiftly. Organize a candle event at a local memorial site, park, or wherever you can gather. But countless veterans and their families who try to get disability and survivor benefits are still turned away, left to contest their claims on a case-by-case basis. You must provide your name, e-mail address, telephone and/or fax number, and VA file number/Social Security Number. Learn more about featured topics of the Vietnam War and Vietnam Era. They quickly filed paperwork with the Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, for disability payments. has been working on Agent Orange cases since its founding in 1980, said Bart Stichman, the groups executive director. While the VA to date has not budged, the tide now appears to be turning toward the sailors. He served for nearly three years, including 11 months as a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam. Attention A T users. If you served on active duty in any of these locations during these time periods, youre now eligible to apply for VA health care: If you havent filed a claim yet for the presumptive condition, you can file a new claim online now. We have updated our Privacy Policy. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. The NAS has no mandate power over Veterans Affairs. Agent Orange is taking a huge toll on Vietnam Veterans with most deaths somehow related to Agent Orange exposure. Even when such records do exist, it is extremely hard for the average veteran to track them down, Moore said. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. Its an uphill battle, said Maynard Kaderlik, the Minnesota-based chair of the Vietnam Veterans of Americas Agent Orange and Dioxin Committee. Please switch auto forms mode to off. No Learnabout evidence needed for accrued benefits, Learn how to apply for a Survivors Pension, Expands and extends eligibility forVA health care for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of theVietnam, Gulf War,and post-9/11 eras, Adds 20+ morepresumptive conditions forburn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic exposures, Adds morepresumptive-exposure locations for Agent Orange and radiation, Requires VA to provide atoxic exposure screeningto every Veteran enrolled in VA health care, Helps us improve research, staff education, and treatment related to toxic exposures, Respiratory (breathing-related) cancer of any type, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Constrictive bronchiolitis or obliterative bronchiolitis, The airspace above any of these locations. Agent Orange killed many Vietnamese , American veterans and will kill me. I leave my condition to others to decide how Agent Orange affected me men Peter Naylor died of esophageal cancer in 2015, and now his wife is fighting to have the disease recognized as related to his service in Vietnam. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. The Blue Water Navy veterans were exposed to Agent Orange in many different ways that VA has known about for years, Moore said. Additionally, Agent Orange is an extremely powerful herbicide. Why would the U.S. military use a chemical as toxic and deadly as Agent Orange? A Veteran who believes he or she has a disease caused by Agent Orange exposure that is not one of the conditions listed below must show an actual connection between the disease and herbicide exposure during military service. Since the end of the Vietnam War, veterans have reported numerous health effects. Being on her own gives Kates quest for compensation added urgency. Her talk focused on her husband, John Scarlett, an Army Ranger and helicopter pilot in Vietnam who was among the 2.6 million U.S. personnel believed exposed to Agent Orange during the war. Agent Orange has been linked to a long list of medical conditions, many of which are severe and can be life-threatening. The estimated delivery window for the shirts. We call these presumptive conditions.. But the academy said that, due to gaps in the rigor of the study, such as a lack of information on the test subjects smoking and drinking habits and their exact levels of exposure, it would not revise its interpretation of the linkage. Roughly 300-thousand veterans have died from Agent Orange exposure -- The total goes up every day. The total number of is estimated at 2.8 million US veterans who were exposed to the poisonous chemical while serving a There are also other locations where we presume that you had exposure to radiation. Though the academys past reports have recognized 50 diseases that fall under the limited or suggestive evidentiary category, the VA has only. You can also call us at800-698-2411(TTY: 711). I have spina bifida, it gets worse as I get older. The idea reportedly has bipartisan support in the Senate, too. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America's honor and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. There are more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Veterans and their survivors are still fighting the VA over their exposure to Americas notorious chemical weaponand the latest lethal conditions theyre confronting. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have died each year due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. This deadly toxin has impacted the lives of thousands of veterans and their families but is largely unknown to most Americans. related to AARP volunteering. WebPeak troop strength in Vietnam: 543,482 (April 30, 1968). return to top Health Care 877-222-8387 Benefits 800-827-1000 TDD (Hearing Impaired) 800-829-4833 If youre a Veteran or survivor, you can file claims now to apply for PACT Act-related benefits. When we receive a Supplemental Claim, well review the claim again. "Its an everyday question kind of, you know, what's passed on, what's not passed on," said Busby. The same applies to veterans who served in or near the Korean demilitarized zone between 1968 and 1971. By Haley FosterValley News Live In some cases, the resistance to adding more to the list has not been the VA but rather the Office of Management and Budget. The military used Agent Orange to clear foliage during the Vietnam War, depriving enemy fighters of cover. In Memory. Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, BREAKING NEWS: Court Rules Blue Water Navy Veterans Should Be Eligible for Agent Orange Presumption, Blue Water Navy Veterans Update June 2019, Respiratory Cancers (cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus). Review boards are not required to consider precedent decisions, meaning there are no easy answers for people attempting to navigate the VA the whole thing is somewhat of a crapshoot. FSGLI: Family Servicemembers Group Life Insurance, Schedule of Payments for Traumatic Losses, S-DVI: Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance, Beneficiary Financial Counseling and Online Will, Lesbian Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Veterans, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships that operated in Vietnam, diseases VA presumes are associated with exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides, Claims Adjudication Procedures Manual/Live Manual, Link to subscribe to receive email notice of changes to the Live Manual, In Vietnam anytime between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975, including brief, In or near the Korean demilitarized zone anytime between April 1, 1968 and August 31, 1971, Veterans who served on or near the perimeters of, Veterans who served where herbicides were, Veterans associated with Department of Defense (DoD), A medical diagnosis of a disease which VA recognizes as being associated with Agent Orange (listed above), service in Vietnam or at or near the Korean demilitarized zone during the dates shown above, or. By April, he was dead at 68. So why is every veteran and widow who files a disability or survivor claim forced to re-litigate the issue?. To get a VA disability rating, your disability must connect to your military service. DePodesta says that for many years his eye injury qualified him for a disability rating of 30 percent and a monthly payment of under $400. An official website of the United States government. In the meantime, another group of Vietnam veterans who are struggling with a variety of diseases and conditions that are on the presumptive list but not getting their claims approved are the 90,000 sailors of the Blue Water Navy. When the diagnosis came, both Pete and Kate were sure they knew the cause: Petes exposure to the chemical defoliant Agent Orange during his time as a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. The .gov means its official. How Many Vietnam Veterans Have Been Affected by Agent Orange? But over the years, the VA list of medical conditions associated with Agent Orange has grown to more than a dozen, including some that are much more prevalent. I can remember three times that the Air Force flew over me and sprayed me with something. As we were out in the jungle, I have to assume that it wa In 1979, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of 2.4 million veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service in Vietnam.. How many died from Agent Orange? To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. Other new academic studies referring to esophageal cancer and chemical exposure similar to Agent Orange published in 2013 and 2014 were mentioned in the report but deemed irrelevant due to their lack of Agent Orange specificity. The number of Vietnam veterans affected by the chemical Agent Orange is astonishing. In Memorywas created in 1993 by the group Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The problem, veterans advocates say, is that veterans dont necessarily make the connection between a disease they have had for years and the expanded Agent Orange list. APPLICATION 202. These veterans dont need to prove that they were exposed to Agent Orange to qualify for benefits related to ailments on the list. Because the VA decades later added ischemic heart disease to its list of Agent Orange-related diseases, the widow was able to make the case that she should have been getting benefits all those years. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds (VVMF) In Memoryprogram honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Please remember, though, that the English language version is considered the most accurate. No doubt. If you think youre eligible for VA health care and benefits, we encourage you to apply now. WebJesse Trevino, 1946-2023. Our daughters that can't have children, there's a lot of them. For veterans who qualify for disability payments and survivors who qualify for death payments, the benefits can mean tens of thousands of dollars a year in income. You can view the current Compensation Rate Tables to determine the amount you may receive. We call this having a presumption of exposure. Many vets think the VAs refusal to give esophageal cancer a blanket recognition is because the agency is less than enthused about the costs of adding more of them to the list. The National Veterans Legal Services Program has been working on Agent Orange cases since its founding in 1980, said Bart Stichman, the groups executive director. The toll in human terms caused by the war is staggering. However, any veteran who served in Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, Your eligibility depends on your service history and other factors. We get by with Social Security and the compensation and substitute teaching.. So, were going to have sit down and do what we think is right for these veterans.. in Memory Honor Roll | Agent Orange - Vietnam Veterans Memorial F CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. Its been three years since Kate Naylor lost her husband, Pete, after his short battle with esophageal cancer. Several other diseases bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertensionandParkinsons-like symptomshave been under consideration to be added to the list. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. Stichman says his organization helped an Alabama widow persuade the VA to pay her $247,508 in retroactive benefits. These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. Kathy Josenhans, who spoke along with Scarlett at the National Academies meeting, is both a Blue Water Navy widow and a glioblastoma widow. As Kate listened to the speakers, it became clear to her that shed have to do more than just repeatedly file appeals with the VA. After Evans spoke, she made a beeline for his table outside the auditorium. again. Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you. The speech elicited loud and long applause and left some NAS scientists in tears. A review of Petes service records confirms the exposure to the defoliant. Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have died each year due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. Well send you a decision notice when we complete our review. There shouldnt be a category for you to get help.. During the Vietnam War era, the generally accepted definition of territorial seas was three nautical miles offshore. Kate filed more paperwork a few months after her husbands death for spousal compensation. Weve added these 5 new locations to the list of presumptive locations: If you served on active duty in any of these locations, well automatically assume (or presume) that you had exposure to Agent Orange. Ask your neighbors to display orange porch lights. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund | 3033 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300 | Arlington VA 22201 | 202.393.0090 In fact, he was 21. Many U.S. veterans of the war suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are about 50 diseases connected agent orange exposure and nearly 20 birth defects recognized in the children of Vietnam veterans. I would like to try to find a way where we can resolve that issue for them, rather than make them continue to wait, Shulkin said. The legacy of the defoliant will outlast its immediate victims, said Kaderlik. A 2016 study by the American Cancer Society estimated 2-3 cases per 100,000 people worldwide, with a median survival time from diagnosis of one year. DeLeos opinion could help Kates case, however. The federal agency sent its sympathies but no money. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. In 1986, the group helped bring the case of Beverly Nehmer, the widow of a veteran who died of an Agent Orange-related disease, to court in what later became a class action suit on behalf of all Vietnam veterans. In 1986, the group helped bring the case of. But the VA has This page will help answer your questions about what the PACT Act means for you or your loved ones. The committee voted unanimouslyto send a bill to the full House. (See. And your care may be free as well. There are 430 confirmed Vietnam veterans with glioblastoma now in Scarletts database. If you think you may be eligible for VA health care or benefits, we encourage you to apply now. The providers terms, conditions and policies apply. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. And while Pete had been a smoker for 25 years a high risk factor for esophageal cancer he had quit 25 years before his death, and had no history of alcohol use/abuse, another risk factor. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Funds (VVMF) In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Did it save lives? The report included information from studies published in 2013 and 2014 that focused on Korean veterans of the Vietnam War (South Korea sent around 300,000 troops to the fight alongside the United States.) The VAs resistance to adding diseases to the list of recognized conditions is part of a longstanding government pattern of dismissing soldiers from the Vietnam War, he added. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). Herbicides were also used by the U.S. military to defoliate military facilities in the U.S. and in other countries as far back as the 1950s. Petes oncologist, Dr. Michael DeLeo, said in an amended death certificate that he believes his extensive Agent Orange exposure during his time in Vietnam is the only thing could have caused his cancer. These ratings are based on the severity of the disabilities. In March, now-dismissed VA Secretary David Shulkin told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that he had recommended adding a handful of conditions to the list in a request to OMB last fall, but the agency was still looking at data and reviewing financial estimates. The VA has no idea how many people are actually being diagnosed.. The womans husband, a Vietnam veteran, had died of cardiac ischemia in 1983, but the VA had rejected a request for a death pension that she filed in 1985. The agency can go weeks or months without replying to an appeal, while sending back paperwork with a hard and fast deadline later. To learn more, visit our topics page about Agent Orange. 3. When veterans dont think to apply for disability benefits based on conditions added to the VAs Agent Orange list in recent years, they can miss out on sizable payments. Pete Naylor was born on March 18, 1947, and enlisted in the Army in July 1968, at age 21. The plaque on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C. that honors these veterans was dedicated in 2004 and reads:In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. In addition, she argues the VA is making decisions about glioblastoma based on incomplete numbers. - Maynard Kaderlik, Vietnam Veterans of America, When the diagnosis came, both Pete and Kate were sure they knew the cause: Petes. That toxicity is coming back to haunt veterans and it's also affecting their children Well my dad was a Vietnam veteran, my brother has brain cancer believed to be caused by Agent Orange passed through my father, said Ashely Busby, daughter of a Vietnam Vet. You served your country. David DePodesta, a 69-year-old veteran who lost sight in his right eye due to enemy shrapnel while serving with the Marines in Vietnam in 1969, was fortunate that he did pay attention to the list as it grew. There shouldnt be a category for you to get help, said Kaderlik. Even if the National Academy of Medicines forthcoming report does find definitive evidence of a link between Agent Orange and esophageal cancer, thats no guarantee the disease will be added to the list of approved service-related illnesses. WebVietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Kathy, whos struggled physically and financially without her husband, has been fighting the VA for her survivor benefits for the last seven years. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. list of government-accredited Veterans and Military Service Organizations, Find out how AARP helps veterans and their families. Well review your case again. On August 10, 2022 Agent Orange Awareness Day we will bring light to the continuing dark toll of the war. And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now. Competent medical evidence that the disease began within the deadline (if any). Kate, 66, now lives alone with her dog, Cabernet. But the VA told Kate that it was denying her claim because in the agencys opinion, there is not enough evidence of a link between esophageal cancer and Agent Orange exposure. The veterans lawyers at Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD may be able to help you receive benefits for medical conditions you have suffered as a result of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam or elsewhere. Other diseases bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertensionandParkinsons-like symptomshave been under consideration to be added to the use of cookies..., Pete, after his short battle with esophageal cancer e-mail address, telephone and/or fax number, and file... 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