Agent Orange Benefits Could Expand Tuesday

[Wrench3516]

Agent Orange benefits could expand Tuesday

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Aug 30, 2010 9:38:55 EDT

Final rules allowing more than 250,000 Vietnam veterans who qualify for Agent Orange-related benefits could take effect as early as Tuesday.

With the change, three new medical conditions — hairy cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease — will be added to the list of disabilities presumed to have a connection to exposure to Agent Orange, the defoliant widely used during the Vietnam War.

Congress has set aside $13.4 billion to cover the first year of claims. The total cost of expanding the list of conditions presumed to be connected is estimated to be $42.2 billion over 10 years.

Veterans Affairs Department officials are gearing up for an anticipated tidal wave of new applications, expected to temporarily result in an even larger backlog of pending disability claims.

One of the new conditions — ischemic heart disease — is controversial because it widely affects older Americans, and has been linked to smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and aging. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a Vietnam veteran, chairman of the Senate armed services subcommittee on personnel and a member of the Senate veterans’ affairs committee, has questioned whether it is possible to know if Vietnam veterans with this form of heart disease have an Agent Orange-related condition or have other risk factors.

[Mike326]

Re. One of the new conditions — ischemic heart disease — is controversial because it widely affects older Americans....

I filed my claim in January of this year. My problems started 20 years ago with a double bypass when I just turned 40. I had numerous prodcedures since then and the last 2, to insert stents were both unsuccessful. The surgeon remarked to me that he sees so many VN servicemen with histories that start in their 30's and 40's and it seems remarkable to him. Once more people start filing claims, and the VA begins looking at their medical histories it should become chillingly apparent that this phenomenon (AO linked IHD) is not a disease of old age.

[HereandThere]

Had my first positive test for type 2 in March 09
6-8 months later another positive test.
Then again April 2010 so I asked the doctor if I should file a claim and he said yes in case I need meds in the future.
Went to DAV to file claim in June, had my compensation exam and got my papers rating me 20% for Type 2 on Sept 2.
Don't know if it's because of Agent Orange, but no one in my family had it unless it was 3-4 generations ago and I'm 6'2" 180 so it's not my weight,but damn does it make your feet burn.

[thefedgotme]

the burning foot is probably neuropathy..which would be service connected also if you claim it..check your rating, if its on there you're good..if no, file for an increase

[HereandThere]

the burning foot is probably neuropathy..which would be service connected also if you claim it..check your rating, if its on there you're good..if no, file for an increase

I was told by the nurse during my comp.exam that the VA usually rated Vietnam Vets with type 2 at 10%.I thought they rated me at 20% because of the burning feet,but when I read the report I just shook my head.
They had my Vietnam service time wrong and said although my feet were burning,other test did not show neuropathy,but that the type 2 had caused visual imparment,which is news to me and the guy who examined my eyes.
I'm not going to open a can of worms with the VA, but I'm going to talk to my primary care doctor about this report next time I see him.

[redman1]

Danny thanks for the new info
The first of the year I got 20% due to type II diabetes and now I'm signing up for tinnitus which would be another 10% and at 30% you get 10% more for your wife which would be a total of 40%. Don't know how it will turn out.
I am 61 and never used any VA until this year. I also get all my meds there.
I am thankful that I don't need anything else. It was hard for me to ask for the first time. I felt like a bumb.
Semper Fi Redman

[spotts]

Dont feel like a bum, you earned you VA benefits.

[lastcigar]

I am receiving a 20% disability for diabetes and I guess high blood pressure. I got 10% first and then it got increase after we talked (Dr. and I at VA hospital.) I am going to retire soon at age 62 and will lose my private health care. What will the VA cover besides my treatment for diabetes and hyper tension. What if I get the flu? Would I call a clinic or hospital for treatment. Or something more serious, like I need to get my gall bladder removed? Or an accident, like a fall at home or a car wreck. Are these things covered? Would appreciate any info. Thanks and Semper Fi.

[Troutzilla]

I am receiving a 20% disability for diabetes and I guess high blood pressure. I got 10% first and then it got increase after we talked (Dr. and I at VA hospital.) I am going to retire soon at age 62 and will lose my private health care. What will the VA cover besides my treatment for diabetes and hyper tension. What if I get the flu? Would I call a clinic or hospital for treatment. Or something more serious, like I need to get my gall bladder removed? Or an accident, like a fall at home or a car wreck. Are these things covered? Would appreciate any info. Thanks and Semper Fi.

Are you enrolled in the VA Healthcare System ?

Here are the groups and what is availible to you.....http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility...opayGlance.pdf

Check out the Enrollment page and then fill-out an application....http://www4.va.gov/healtheligibility/eligibility/

[hbharrison]

It pays to go and get on the system I have 20% for my knees and still waiting for % on my coronary artery disease. Did find out that when you reach 50% you no longer pay co-pay on meds.

[lastcigar]

I am enrolled and I am receiving a disability payment of 20% but I'm confused on what is covered. I believe I'm in prioity group 3. Is it only the service connected stuff I get care for or for all illnesses and accidents. I would not pass the financial hardship test so I'm sure I would have to pay co-pays but I want to make sure I can go to the VA for just regular medical stuff?

[NoRemorse]

I think you only get care related to your actual disability.

I think you're going to fall into the cracks for 3 years or so unless you pay into a health plan yourself or get COBRA if you currently have health insurance. But all that trash is expensive.

[lastcigar]

That's what I need to know as my regular private ins. ends upon retirement except for COBRA which would only be 18 months on a retirement. Plus as you said, it is expensive. I don't think I can find a health care plan that will accept me, and if I did it would cost prohibitive. That 3 year gap could be a major problem I'm afraid.

[kaelobo]

Iam 100% had a car wreck,sat at va ER for three hours my ear was hanging by skin , had a gash about 8inc long on head,blood running down face,bla bla bla. i could not walk straight little dizzy, so my daughter got mad and try to tell the person at window.but there were 4 other vets screaming,at them va police were there. daughter took me to Denver general, if you make and appointment you get in in about 30 days. but the meds are free,and boy do they like to make you wait, been waiting 30days for my dental appointment, than they got everybody brother or sister working there with a bad attitudes, other than that you can sit down there all day and look at what they are doing to the vets,its a very sad sight, half the vet are so high on meds they dont know where there going, thats at the denver va, what i think........................usmc

[NoRemorse]

Some of the private guys like AARP may have something to cover the gap, but I don't know offhand how much like say their Oxford affiliated coverage would be.

We've had patients here with CHAMPVA and what not, don't remember the eligibility requirements anymore and I'm hard-pressed to google them because of a combination of abject laziness and the midday sleepies.