What can I do if I was exposed to agent orange during the Vietnam War, and have prostate cancer, but was denied benefits by the VA?

Sgt Glenn Murakami — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:08:53 -0500

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Nov 30 at 2020 11:21 PM

LT Brad McInnis — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:21:55 -0500

Sarge, I am no expert. I did a cursory search of the requirements and it seems like you would qualify. My best advice to you would be to add Vietnam War and VA tags to this topic as there are other people here that are better able to help you. All the best to you buddy.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 30 at 2020 11:28 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:28:27 -0500

Get an advocate, preferably the DAV, let them fight for you. They do a good job.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2020 11:37 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:37:36 -0500

Sgt Glenn Murakami Contact the VFW or DAV for assistance. Were you in country? I had to have the VFW help me fight the VA. I was exposed to Agent Orange and was in areas where it was sprayed but the presumptive conditions does not mean much to the VA.

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/publications/agent-orange/agent-orange-2020/presumptive.asp

presumptive.asp

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 30 at 2020 11:44 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 23:44:47 -0500

Do not hesitate. Get it cut out m, Now! Mine was removed 27 years ago. Sooner is the better! There is no prize for having advanced Prostate Cancer! Sgt Glenn Murakami

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Dec 1 at 2020 1:39 AM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 01:39:10 -0500

You can get better reps and appeal the denial.

Response by SFC Chuck Martinez made Dec 1 at 2020 9:21 AM

SFC Chuck Martinez — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 09:21:02 -0500

Glenn, I am a retired SFC US Army Airborne Infantry and I have 180% of disabilities. I have friends who have passed away from agent orange illnesses. Due to the agent orange Act of 1991, the VA acknowledges certain cancers and other diseases as caused by Agent Orange. This means that veterans with these recognized diseases can qualify for disability compensation under the "presumptive service connection." However, many special rules apply. I see that you were a sergeant in the AF, if you were with those planes that sprayed that crap, your chances of getting compensation are very good. The first rating starts at 10% and can go higher depending on your medical and health status. If you were boots on the ground, meaning loading that crap on the planes, you also should be able to get compensation ASAP. The connection with agent orange has to be proven. I hope you made a copy of all your medical records as I did. Get what you deserve brother, God bless, and good luck!

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Dec 1 at 2020 9:40 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 09:40:06 -0500

What was the reason for the denial?
When I developed prostate cancer, all I had to do was prove I had the cancer (doctors report) and that I had served in Vietnam (DD214).

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2020 10:41 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 10:41:23 -0500

I read they are back pedaling on AO and claims. I thought it was already considered "presumptive" but the devil is in the details. Brown water USN is similar. Get treatment first at all costs, and seek Constituent support from US Rep. They can and will deny any claims without supporting documents. I hope it works out for you.

Response by GySgt Thomas Vick made Dec 1 at 2020 10:43 AM

GySgt Thomas Vick — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 10:43:17 -0500

Appeal, Appeal, Appeal, don't ever give up take it all the way to Washington D.C. I don't know where you are but don't give up brother. Any body that served in Vietnam should be on the Agent Orange registry at 0 %, it took me 30 years of fighting with the VA to get a 30% rating, when you file your appeal be very specific, and show them exact evidence, highlighting it to make them see it, do a cover page pointing out where all of your evidence is.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Dec 1 at 2020 12:02 PM

1LT Vance Titus — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:02:08 -0500

Appeal, then appeal and appeal again. I have multiple agent orange health conditions. Years ago I filed for an increase in my disability rating for one of the agent orange diseases. It was denied, I appealed, it was denied, I appealed again, it was denied again, I appealed again and this time I got assigned a medical evaluation specialist. After waiting 5 years I was finally granted the rating increase. Frustrating, pain in the ass process, but patience and persistence prevailed.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Dec 1 at 2020 1:42 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 13:42:23 -0500

If it has been a while you should resubmit. There have been many changes to the process in the past few years. Contact you local VA and they should be able to tell you more.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 1 at 2020 4:20 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 16:20:04 -0500

Do you KNOW you were exposed to it, or do you BELIEVE you were exposed to it? And do you have any medical documentation linking this exposure to your cancer? Unfortunately the burden of proof is on you. You need to prove two things.
1) That you were exposed
2) that there is a direct link between this exposure and your illness

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2020 10:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 22:06:30 -0500

You can appeal, but once again, you need to be able to prove the direct correlation between your time in Vietnam and the time you were diagnosed with Cancer. Although there is a strong link between the two, Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in males over the age of 60 and there is no direct cause as to what causes the cancer. This is the issue you will likely face

Response by Sgt Glenn Murakami made Dec 2 at 2020 11:07 PM

Sgt Glenn Murakami — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 23:07:08 -0500

I realize the burden of proof is on me. The perimeter of our base was completely devoid of any living vegetation and it never came back the entire time I was there. The cancer is in remission but I continue to have treatments, maybe forever. Thank you very much for your advice and support.

Response by SFC Aubrey Campbell made Jan 18 at 2021 3:38 PM

SFC Aubrey Campbell — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 15:38:54 -0500

Re file your claim again and again. Do not appeal their decision. I helped an 80 year old Vietnam veteran et benefits for agent orange.