Why isn’t Pancreatic cancer a presumptive condition related to agent orange exposure?

PO2 James Grinnell — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 18:50:59 -0400

My husband is a pancreatic cancer survivor. He was exposed to agent orange in Vietnam. Since this was a “toxic exposure”, why doesn’t the va have pancreatic cancer on their presumptive list? The new PACT Act acknowledges pancreatic cancer as a presumptive condition for burn pits and “other toxic exposure”. Seems like pancreatic cancer should be considered in relation to agent orange exposure as that too is “toxic exposure”

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 25 at 2022 7:02 PM

SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 19:02:57 -0400

I would like for you to look at The PACT Act.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 25 at 2022 7:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 19:46:11 -0400

Probably because pancreatic cancer would be normal at his age if he was in Vietnam. You can't just say that every cancer a person has when they're 60+ years old is attributed to agent orange.

The idea of presumptive conditions is for people who are being diagnosed with cancers outside an age range for those cancers. For instance, 20-40 year olds being diagnosed with lung cancer and constrictive bronchiolitis who were exposed to dust and smoke in Iraq. Or even pancreatic cancer in persons under 50, where it would be extremely rare.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 26 at 2022 7:18 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 07:18:54 -0400

There have been exhaustive studies related to what is and is not presumptive this act has been under development for years. This is not to say we’re and how your husband caught it, just to say that his status based on the research did not meet the requirements associated.

This is an ongoing struggle for thousands

Response by COL Randall C. made Aug 26 at 2022 3:08 PM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 15:08:13 -0400

If you believe that the exposure was linked to Agent Orange, did you submit a claim for disability benefits? Have you explored if there are any preexisting symptoms related to pancreatic cancer that appeared during (or within certain established timelines) military service?

The VA is a typical bureaucracy. There are some great people that work there and some not so great. While it may seem it at time (especially if someone says "no" to a request you made), they aren't staffed with people who's sole focus is to deny a veteran help.

Having said that, you need to make sure you can lay out an easy to follow trail of bread crumbs for an examiner to follow - For example, (HYPOTHETICALLY) My husband served in Vietnam in 1964 -> he was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis -> chronic pancreatitis increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by 2 to 3 times (here's the medical article/doctor's opinion) -> etc.

If you are sure it was caused by Agent Orange, then getting solid medical evidence (articles, medical expert opinions, etc.) showing a causal link is the route to go. There have been many cases (Google is your friend) where someone was approved by the VA for pancreatic cancer because the linkage was shown.

However, as SFC Private RallyPoint Member stated, you can't attribute every cancer (or malady) to someone's service. There has to be something that shows it's outside the norm. There haven't been any medical studies (that I'm aware of that is) showing that Agent Orange caused pancreatic cancer. There HAVE been studies that showed it caused something else which in turn increased the risk for pancreatic cancer. Successful VA claims showed that linkage.

Examples:
https://www.va.gov/vetapp08/files1/0801798.txt#:~:text=Snead%20again%20noted%20that%20the,with%20pancreatitis%2C%20among%20other%20illnesses.
https://www.veteransdisabilityinfo.com/blog/298/winning-veterans-benefits-pancreatic-cancer-due-agent-orange-exposure/#:~:text=The%20VA%20asserted%20that%20pancreatic,in%20the%20service%20treatment%20records.

Again, if you believe that his cancer was caused by Agent Orange, then do more research on any other symptoms/illnesses your husband has and see if there is linkages to Agent Orange. Get your facts in order and pursue your claim.

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