Why doesn't the VA automatically register all veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange?

SPC Thomas Devine — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 13:54:42 -0500

MY BROTHER DIED LAST MONTH. HE DIED IN A VA HOSPITAL WITH CANCER THROUGHOUT HIS WHOLE BODY, LOST ANOTHER BROTHER TO THE SAME THING?

Response by SPC Thomas Devine made Mar 3 at 2022 2:09 PM

SPC Thomas Devine — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:09:55 -0500

my brother probably was only compensated for dying, seems so wrong

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2022 2:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:53:43 -0500

SPC Thomas Devine I am sorry for your loss. The VA does not know which Veterans were exposed to Agent Orange. The Veteran has to prove that they have an illness caused by exposure to Agent Orange and provide proof that they served in an area where Agent Orange was sprayed.

Am I eligible for VA disability benefits based on exposure to Agent Orange?
You may be eligible for VA disability benefits if you meet both of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

You have an illness that’s caused by exposure to Agent Orange, and
You served in a location that exposed you to Agent Orange

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 3 at 2022 2:56 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 14:56:47 -0500

How do they know? The VA is like many things in government - they don't know unless you tell them.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 3 at 2022 3:14 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 15:14:14 -0500

I'm sorry for your loss. The VA doesn't automatically register vets for anything. They don't know if something needs attention until it is identified.

Response by PO2 Marco Monsalve made Mar 3 at 2022 4:04 PM

PO2 Marco Monsalve — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 16:04:22 -0500

Please receive my condolences on your loss. I am a cancer survivor due to agent orange exposure and went through the process. First off you have to go to the VA and register as a veteran. As a part of that and they see you served in Viet Nam they will suggest that you follow up and establish yourself in the AO registry. The registry itself does NOT lead to a healthcare intervention though the physical exam and history may lead to a physician referral. if you want to be considered for disability compensation for health problems related to Agent Orange exposure you have to file a claim for that benefit.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 4 at 2022 5:28 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 17:28:15 -0500

Currently you have to essentially prove you meet all standards. Step one is location and dates. For us Navy types, a policy of you have to be aboard this ship between these dates is the presumptive standard. Doesn't follow the science that the persistence of Dioxin is decades. It continually flushes through the ship's ventilation system. You arrive one day after the cutoff and live aboard for months at a time, but somehow you're not exposed. Since I missed the time frame, I'm out of luck. Neuropathy and cancer later, VA has no interest. So we're in the same pattern of Deny, Deny, Deny until enough of us are dead and then there is a miracle event that enlightens the VA. At that point, the number of living fits the budget. Same thing for my Dad who was forced to do Mustard Gas testing in WW2. Deny, Deny, Deny. Senator steps in and here's a small check for Tinnitus. Then it became a social justice issue because minorities were put in the program. Oh, here's your revised rating. Er, VA you know he's dead, so why the letter? So, I can't clear Step 1 to even show the presumptive conditions.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 4 at 2022 6:15 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 18:15:22 -0500

An almost SFC Casey O'Mally impossible mission, friend, the scope of Agent Orange, White, Blue extended thru out the world, Many tropical bases used a defoliant

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Mar 5 at 2022 6:25 PM

SPC Lyle Montgomery — Sat, 05 Mar 2022 18:25:03 -0500

Sorry to hear about your brothers. I lost a very close friend to cancer a while back. We were both in combat in Vietnam.He was a wounded medic,I was. a grunt We have both had issues with Agent Orange. All I can say is that it really sucks. May your brothers rest in peace. They are with God now.