Have you Submitted your Agent Orange Claim?

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:28:11 -0400

From the VA Website: "If you have a health condition caused by exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange during your service, you may be eligible for VA disability compensation."

If you have not filed a claim or were previously denied, now would be a good time to catch up on the PACT Act and how it may impact you. The good news is that you can contact for free, a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) that can help you with your claim. Good luck.

https://www.va.gov/get-help-from-accredited-representative/
https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/#:~:text=The%20PACT%20Act%20is%20a,they%27ve%20earned%20and%20deserve.
https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agent-orange/

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Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 14 at 2024 4:09 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 16:09:43 -0400

"Agent Orange dries quickly after spraying and breaks down within hours to days when exposed to sunlight (if not bound chemically to a biological surface such as soil, leaves and grass) and is no longer harmful."

So the VA presumes that Orange that's sucked into ship's ventilation, is held by asbestos and PCB insulation, and is not exposed to sunlight is somehow not a problem? Like my Dad who had mustard gas tested on him involuntarily in WW2, not enough of us are dead yet to chase down an answer they might not like. BTW Dioxin is a Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP), which makes where VA is coming from rather tragic.

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Mar 14 at 2024 7:20 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 19:20:54 -0400

I filed 5 yrs ago but it took two yrs to get 20% for getting type 2 diabetes. Having to have to use insulin and pills to control it

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Mar 14 at 2024 8:24 PM

SGT Robert Urbaniak — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:24:19 -0400

By sheer luck, I did not have agent orange in my area. My good friend Larry LaBarber who was also 1st Cavalry, never showed any signs of being exposed to this terrible agent.

Response by SGT Ed Matyjasik made Mar 15 at 2024 12:47 PM

SGT Ed Matyjasik — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:47:43 -0400

I had cancer in my small intestin from agent orange about 6 years ago, That almost killed me. Then the chemo treatment almost killed me a number of times. Guess you could say Im lucky! I was already rated at 100% disability so you don't get anything extra after that. Welcome Home Brothers.

Response by SrA John Monette made Mar 15 at 2024 4:47 PM

SrA John Monette — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 16:47:23 -0400

Be aware though. Not all conditions that you might think are connected to AO are going to be connected to AO.

Response by PO1 Tom Follis made Mar 20 at 2024 7:00 PM

PO1 Tom Follis — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:00:43 -0400

Just this past August (2023) I reopened my claim with the VA. I spoke with a young lady and told her I would like to claim agent orange as well as asbestos exposure. I was on a ship that had recently returned from Vietnam and had asbestos from end to end. I was even involved in the asbestos rip-out. She stated that if it wasn’t in my record , I couldn’t prove it. I also told her about night terrors her response again was, if it ain’t in your record, you can’t prove it. All this did for Mr was compound my beliefs that as far as the VA is concerned, the US VETERAN is just a number and a warm body. I left the VA and went to the DAV. Much better treatment.

Response by SGM John Barnett made Mar 20 at 2024 9:38 PM

SGM John Barnett — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 21:38:52 -0400

Good luck, just hope you’re still alive to collect. my disability review was started 8 months ago and it appears they’re not even close to closing it

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Mar 21 at 2024 10:32 AM

Cpl George Matousek — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 10:32:52 -0400

I filed in spring of 2015, kept being denied, board of appeals hearing in March 2024, VA exam in Aug. 2924 , still waiting to hear, in development stage. Now I have stage 3 colon/rectal cancer and have to start again with that. VA doctor agreed skin cancer was from agent orange when exaimed in Aug.

Response by Sgt William Shamel made Mar 21 at 2024 12:22 PM

Sgt William Shamel — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:22:22 -0400

I worked on planes in the Philippines, I do not know for sure if I was exposed to Agent Orange or not. Some planes carried deceased military men, and some of them had very strong odors. How would I know if I worked on those planes.

Response by Cpl George Matousek made Mar 23 at 2024 11:56 AM

Cpl George Matousek — Sat, 23 Mar 2024 11:56:47 -0400

Yes still waiting to hear since 2015 and had BOA hearing in March 2023 still waiting to hear. Now I have Colon/Rectal cancer and will apply for that as well, wonder how long that will take. Semper Fi

Response by 1SG Fred Hermstein made Mar 29 at 2024 11:28 AM

1SG Fred Hermstein — Fri, 29 Mar 2024 11:28:50 -0400

Korea DMZ vets too.