VetXL Q&A Chat: Environmental Exposures and Burn Pits

I was diagnosed by the VA for prostate cancer in October 2019. I submitted a claim for prostate cancer that same month. I was stationed PCS at Andersen AFB, Guam, and TDY at U-Tapao AFB, Thailand for 18 months, December 1967 - June 1969. My claim was denied by the VA in April 2022. I submitted a supplementary claim because of passage of the PACT Act in August 2022 that now includes Guam and Thailand as areas for presumptive exposure to Agent Orange and resulting prostate cancer. My question is: Will my prostate cancer supplementary claim for compensation result in compensation going back to the date of my original claim of October 2019?

I am a veteran from Gulf War Era; During my military tour I suffer a 100% service-connected condition; neurology disorder. VA Fact Sheet / War Related illness and Injury Study Center; Military Vehicle and Aircraft Exhaust Exposure; establish the fundaments to pursuit to link my condition to request a claim on Combat Related Special Compensation. Please advise me how can I address my case thru this new law legislation. Any help is appreciated by this humble veteran.
God Bless America.

Retired Military here but I served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Department of the Army Civilian and I was exposed to the Burn pits and incinerators and recently was diagnosed with Emphysema and was told it will likely turn into COPD. Very mild right now but I am constantly dealing with more and more issues with congestion.

I am assuming the VA will not consider me in this because I was not on Active duty in uniform when I served but I was a Federal Civilian voluntary deployee as well a veteran to these areas and yes we deployed had to wear the same or a similar uniform as the Active duty folks and exposed to the same toxins, in the service to our country. I guess we are left holding the bag?

Were their any burn pits in Korea

I got medically separated after having a softball-sized mass removed which they say they couldn't tie it to my deployment to Afghanistan, but I'm pretty certain that's where it came from as I had complications after I returned stateside. My issues did get looked over and rated in the VA as service connected since I was Active Duty. Would the PACT Act be able to tie my issue to my deployment? I think the issue not being tied to my deployment was more on the Air Force side and not VA, would the PACT Act help change that decision?

I was previously denied compensation for lymphoma due to lack of service connection.

Now that lymphoma is one of the presumptive conditions covered under the PACT Act, I am resubmitting my claim.

I am told I should use VA Form 20-0995, Decision Review Request: Supplemental Claim. This form doesn’t seem well suited for a supplemental claim related to the PACT Act as I am not providing new and relevant information about my diagnosis, treatment, or outcome. Rather, what has changed is the passage of the PACT Act.

My question is, what is the VA looking for as supplemental information? Do they want a statement noting the claim is being submitted pursuant to the PACT Act or are they looking for something else?

If it is the statement, I would recommend a change to the form (or a new form) adding a check box noting this justification. That would seem to be all that should be necessary.

What about Project Shad sailors? Do they fall under this qct?

my husband was in guam during vietnam war. he was there from 1972 to 1973. he was exposed to agent orange. he has ever since had issues with his health. one was diabetes when he was younger. no one knew what his problem was. he was falling asleep and so they said he had that sleeping disease which he didnt. also he had ED WHICH he did have but couldnt figure out why. then he had times when he looked like he was going to pass out and he would run to get something to eat. he felt better afterwards. it wasnt until much later after he got out of the airforce that we discovered he had type 2 diabetes. i dont understand why my husband was treated for so many crazy things when all along it was his exposure to agent orange that was causing this. he spoke to someone recently who told him that guam wasnt considered a source of agent orange. previous to my husband being in the airforce, he couldnt go into the service during veitnam because he was sole surviving son so instead he joined the merchant marines. he had no idea he would be on a ship delivering agent orange to vietnam for the army.. he said he swam in the stuff because it leaked everywhere. being as young as he was he was the one who swabbed the deck. my husband has tried many times for consideration but refused. what can you do about this. what can he do now for consideration. he has 60% from other dissabilities. also, my husband stayed in the airforce for 23yrs. his early time in service he was working with the B-52's fire control. then later after the war he switched to working in hospitals fixing medical equipment. while working with B-52's he was also exposed to a solvent that he used to clean the guns of the b-52's. please can you advise us. thank you wife, vickie cloud.

Does Dessert Storm under Burn Pits

Has anyone considered Ft McClellan, AL, where we were supplied with drinking water with toxic PCBs from Monsanto (as was the entire town of Anniston). Home of the Army Chem School - and where ranges were defoliated with Agent Orange in 1974-76? Women's Army Corps, Chem Corps and MPs are not important enough because we don't have a Congressperson to fight for us. Ft Mac was closed 20 years ago primarily for environment hazards. Now FEMA is going in to study about chemical warfare effects.... Hmmmm....interesting. But it is 40 - 50 years later, and no one cares about the effects these things have had on us. I was there for 4 years - but it wasn't wartime. Swept under the rug.