Why is it that Veterans with Agent Orange have a hard time getting the healthcare they need?

PFC James (LURCH) Janota — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 07:08:14 -0500

These veterans clearly have all the signs of it. Even non medical people can see it. So what’s the holdup?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 30 at 2019 7:26 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 07:26:37 -0500

The VA will deny them till the last person has died, then they might acknowledge it.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 10:59 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:59:15 -0500

PFC James (LURCH) Janota Years ago, I submitted paperwork that was lost in the VA system. I had to go to a VFW Veteran Service Officer for help with my Agent Orange claim. The VA only recognizes 14 diseases that are called "presumptive diseases," there are others that should be covered, but are not because of the cost involved.

https://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/conditions/

conditions

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jan 30 at 2019 1:27 PM

SP5 Peter Keane — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:27:59 -0500

Exactly what do you mean by " with Agent Orange" ? Are you speaking of the presumptive diseases ?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 30 at 2019 5:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:24:07 -0500

The heads of the VA are not Vietnam Veterans nor have they experienced the impact of Agent Orange.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 30 at 2019 5:59 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:59:47 -0500

They are waiting for most of us to die off. The few of the Veterns that are left 10 to 20 years from now would be compensated.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2019 10:24 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 22:24:16 -0500

Here's why:
Congress has refused to pass a bill that would provide for compensation and healthcare. They have chosen not to. Latest was in 2018. It passed the House 382-0, but was blocked by 2 Republicans, Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Mike Lee of Utah, who used a parliamentary procedure that prevented further action.
The VA fought the latest Bill, fearing $6B over next ten years. VA has fought to keep the numbers down, and have taken an adversarial approach, rather than one of advocacy. In fact, they had to be ordered to provided Veterans denied compensation, the information requires to appeal.
Notable, Congress has approved hundreds of millions of dollars for clean up operations in Vietnam.
Burn Pits will be this generation's Agent Orange. The fight, denial by VA, and failure to act by Congress will remain the same.