According to Senator Webb of VA any effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam Vets is related to old age. If that is so true then how come numerous studies presently and in the past are all wrong. Mr Webb has now become a doctor and a endocrinologists. He is pounding his chest and will now have hearing on the additional three disease’s the secretary of VA has added to the long and growing list. It looks like he has become a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is willing to sit back and watch a nation of vets linger in this cesspool of his creation that nothing is good for the men who took the oath to defend this country. But what does he care he is part of the problem . Go figure Mr Webb you call yourself a brother in arms?

chekawa, thank you for your comment. Senator Webb, is one of my senators, here in VA. I am about 10 minutes outside of DC – I think I always add that line so that people won’t think that I can’t think or that I won’t listen to any other ideas. I guess I still wished I lived in DC.

Anyway, I am very sorry about my Senator’s belief on this subject. There is so much information, real science information, that confirm that Agent Orange illnesses are still with us. I sometimes think that people would just like the great Viet Nam Vets of our country would just all disappear. Then, they don’t have to face the truth.

I was a kid during the war, but even then, I knew of some sort of medical issue with the defoliation this country used during that long war. I hold so much love in my heart for these men and women. My father was there, though, I don’t know what he did there, heck, we never knew what he did anywhere. Maybe those on the ground felt that they really needed this to win the war, plus, the military civilians and the upper echelon of the military kept telling those below them that what they were hearing was junk science. We now know it was not.

Finally, I am beyond tired, make it angry, when I hear that in the 1980s, it was then President Reagan how won the cold war for us. That totally dismisses all of those who died, were injured, served, and those dealing with the Agent Orange issues, didn’t contribute. Those 52,000 men and women did bring the close of the Cold War closer. The fact that the US would take such a tough stand on communism was absolutely in the minds of those at the Kremlin. And, what about the various CIA operations we will never know about, or, the Korean War – did they serve for any other reason than to help end the cold war?

I thank all of those who served and their families, for it can be so difficult on spouses and children. And, I pray, that those men and women coming home from our current battles find a better health care plan for them and that they will be followed for the rest of their lives.

June 26,2010 my husband took his life.He was type II diabetes and high blood pressure.
He had satted he had no energy and from stated sx. neuropathy.

He was a Vietnam Vet. can this type and cause produce severe depression/? Although he never said he was and when asked he would say there is nothing wrong.Or could this be related to PTSD.

Many people have many opinions as to why because he would be the last person in the world to do this!

Chemical warfare has never stopped at serving just the purpose. It always brought with it some side effects. Especially chemicals have a prolonged effect and it takes hell lot of time ( I doubt if it’s ever possible) to gain a complete understanding. It’s been so many years and still we find new effects of Agent Orange. sad.

I was in Veit Nam in 1962 and part of 1963 and i came home with very high blood pressure and dead skin on my feet and am still treating both,my blood pressure is so high the dr does not know why i have not had a heart attacke they can not it to come down they change the meds every time i go to the doctor.

At age 55 I started having skin problems which was diagnosed as psoriasis by VA at the same time I came down with COPD and had prostrate surgery and still have remaining problems and am recieving treatments on all of them which all are incurable. I made an agent orange claim four years ago and have been denied twice to date and just put in my third appeal. I would like to hear some opinions.

Maybe I am crazy, but I was in Vietnam, special forces, and there are only two of us left, out of our team and I guess I was never there. We were told to never talk about this and the government says they have no record of this

Glenn: The Army knows where they send you. The record keeping when left to a over worked clerk does not always go down in ink or even entered at all. All those records that were made by units more than likely never reached back to the states.When the south fell to the north we all know those records were put over the side or just plain got burned. That’s why their was a big fire in the records center. No records no claim.

Examples of this: I was in a VA hospital state side while they had me AWOL in country (Nam) I also was listed as being in Laos but not AWOL. So go figure, don’t get distracted by the fact you are to not talk about it.. That means nothing today. Get someone to help you with your case. You had to be somewhere, Right? Go get what you earned. Don’t forget that they know a percentage of people will give up. SO DON’T YOU!

Joe: I wish I could help you. I’m no expert. After all I know more and more about less and less. Go to the DAV and ask for some help. You don’t have to be a member. They will help you with the claim. If your already doing this then maybe you need some legal help. Go here http://www.vawatchdog.org/ and ask Jim for some help about your claim. He can direct you down the right path. Better read his file on how to file a claim. Let us know how you make out.

Good luck Brothers

i am a 1964-1965 USN Vietnam Veteran. I did’nt know the whole Navy was cut out of VA benefits, along with the Air Force. i guess we were’nt there either! I would love to see those Veterans denied claims, march on Washington. Sit down on the capitol steps, until this is rectified. We were shelling Cambodia, when Pres. Johnson said, “we have no troops deployed to Cambodia”. According to the VA “prove that Agent Orange caused your problems”. KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY! Welcome home!

My husband was a healthy young man when he was drafted to go to Vietnam. After he returned home, he started developing terrible lung disorders. Thanks to a wonderful private doctor – who kept track of all of his ailments, he was able to get evaluated by the VA. These vets gave everything to serve their country and mine. He continually had health issues. He did come home from Vietnam; but he paid a price in his health after that. He died in 1999 – very suddenly. I can never forget all of the medical issues when he returned home. And he was so healthy when he left. I can never forget that!!!!!

Read this——-
Glenn wrote:
Aug 16, 2010 11:45
Maybe I am crazy, but I was in Vietnam, special forces, and there are only two of us left, out of our team and I guess I was never there. We were told to never talk about this and the government says they have no record of this
Glenn, sorry Dude that line doesn’t get it! Heard it too many times from Wannbe’s in the past! So what can I say but, I bet, You Were Never There!

Carolyn:

I am sorry to hear about your husband.

I am a Vietnam combat veteran who has experienced clinical depression, insomnia, and neuropathy for several decades, and approximately five years ago, the VA’s docotors diagnosed that I have PTSD. Now I am taking medications which help to somewhat manage my illnesses.
My wife abandoned me after a twenty-year marraige.

My dad served over in vietnam in 1970-1971 and has been recently diagnosed with lung cancer and lymphnod cancer he will be turning 61 at the end of this month when we go to the dr all they wanna hear is that he was a smoker not that he was exposed to agent orange casue there is no correct test to prove that u r they say there is a blood test out there but every time it comes back negative (done research) so how can u tell the difference i know if we go to the va with this they are going to say it was due to smoking not the exposure…….

Veterans’ Diseases Associated with Agent Orange Exposure
Veterans may be eligible for disability compensation and health care benefits for diseases that VA has recognized as associated with exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides.

Surviving spouses, children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange and died as the result of diseases associated with Agent Orange may be eligible for survivors’ benefits.

■Acute and Subacute Peripheral Neuropathy
A nervous system condition that causes numbness, tingling, and motor weakness. Under VA’s rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to herbicides and resolve within 2 years after the date it began.
■AL Amyloidosis
A rare disease caused when an abnormal protein, amyloid, enters tissues or organs.
■Chloracne (or Similar Acneform Disease)
A skin condition that occurs soon after exposure to chemicals and looks like common forms of acne seen in teenagers. Under VA’s rating regulations, chloracne (or other acneform disease similar to chloracne) must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to herbicides.
■Chronic B-cell Leukemias
A type of cancer which affects white blood cells. VA’s regulation recognizing all chronic B-cell leukemias as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
■Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2)
A disease characterized by high blood sugar levels resulting from the body’s inability to respond properly to the hormone insulin.
■Hodgkin’s Disease
A malignant lymphoma (cancer) characterized by progressive enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, and spleen, and by progressive anemia.
■Ischemic Heart Disease
A disease characterized by a reduced supply of blood to the heart, that leads to chest pain. VA’s regulation recognizing ischemic heart disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
■Multiple Myeloma
A cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell in bone marrow.
■Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
A group of cancers that affect the lymph glands and other lymphatic tissue.
■Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects muscle movement. VA’s regulation recognizing Parkinson’s disease as related to exposure to herbicides took effect on October 30, 2010.
■Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
A disorder characterized by liver dysfunction and by thinning and blistering of the skin in sun-exposed areas. Under VA’s rating regulations, it must be at least 10% disabling within 1 year of exposure to herbicides.
■Prostate Cancer
Cancer of the prostate; one of the most common cancers among men.
■Respiratory Cancers
Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus.
■Soft Tissue Sarcoma (other than Osteosarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or Mesothelioma)
A group of different types of cancers in body tissues such as muscle, fat, blood and lymph vessels, and connective tissues.

HI my husbeen was there at the time the Agent Orange was flown Over where he and his groop where at at the time , i have been trying for years to get someone anyone to help us to get help for him to be dianosed by an doctor we do not have the money’s requred to do the testing ,if anyone reading this could you PLEASE, e/mail us on how OR who maybe able to help us he has been sick alot and we have no medical insurerace to cover him and i have been dealing w/ skin issues and so has my kids and other issues as well thank you .please HELP mrs MALOTT 1/21/2011

James F Malott

Call your local DAV, VFW and tell them your husband needs to file a Agent Orange claim. You do not need to be a member. They will assist you and him in filling out the necessary paperwork to do so. You also can do a search on the internet and find hundreds of web sites that will also direct you in the proper direction.
Good Luck

Here is a good place to start: http://www.vawatchdogtoday.org/

My Father served in Vietnam 1970-1971 USMC he was a sniper special forces. When he was 35 he developed DM. Growing up I always remember him having skin problems he said it was jungle rot. He had severe peripheral neuropathy in 2003 he had his first heart attack, he had his second in 2008. It was also at the onset of a rare dementia FTD, Parkinson’s like dementia he had the re onset of PTSD. At that time was the first time I heard my Dad talk about Vietnam, he never did. It broke my heart to hear the memories he talked about. It was hell to get him help with hard work prayer and after 18 months he got benefits from service connected illness from the VA. The check came in 2 weeks before his death. Normal dementia doesn’t kill you in less than two years he had lost 50 lbs and looked emaciated was losing his speech and very weak. He died peacefully in his sleep cause of death was his final heart attack, on the death certificate. I believe Agent Orange killed my father. My best friend growing up lost her Dad too, another Vietnam era Marine to lung cancer 3 months ago. Our Vet’s are dying too soon, Father’s, Husbands, Brother’s, Son’s. Thank you for serving our country, I hope to hell you all get the right treatment

When did we find effects on people from Agent Orange i’m doing a project on the Vietnam war and I wanted to know when we first found effects please email me at bmhipkins@yahoo.com ASAP its due monday April 25th

Where can I go for information about. Grave’s Disease VA ratings, non related to Agent Orange?? Thanks

If you want to know what i know about the va. e-mail me or how to get over drop me a question on how too? daroseman

good Vietnam Buddy of mine Lamar Gilmore got the word from his VA in new york and help me in Newark Ohio when l got the news that l had Prostate Cancer. I had never been to a VA and could not beleive that l would get any help at all, well l did and 11 months now and thank GOD things our working out. D McCarty

My husband was in Vietnam in 67- 68 . He also helped clear jungle with heavy equip. and can remember feeling the cool mist from the spraying overhead.to kill the jungle growth . I met and married him in 1970 and noticed how his hands shook the first time I met him. Many nights of being woke up from him jerking, yelling and waking up from a flashback was so sad. In spite of the hard life I lived with him ,we are still together .. he was a wreck from the start when I met him. In 1983 he had a spell of dizziness and staggering and though it lasted only a day or so, he decided to go and was seen at the V.A. medical center and no cause was found. In 2000 he was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis and was recently diagnosed with Blastomycosis and in my understanding is a fungus that is also found in soil contaminated with dioxins. He is totally disabled and only wonders if he could have got this fungus from Vietnam ;since he could have carried it in him for years, the doctors say , and only showing up now.

3 / 5th Cav. 9th / 1967 Div My agent orange the Dixons in the cells can and do last for years and years and breakdown over time. Mine started out on my back and my feet as jungle fungus, it move to my groin and then the back of my hands and between my fingers, the acme pimple and puss bumps type, then the itching behind my ears, this stuff is no joke. Remember the connection from school between plant life and humans, if it kills life it kills everything else. Some of my best defects come from problems with Agent Orange remember it starts with the thyroid gland.

I AM A 1964-1965 NAVY VETERAN. WHEN I WAS 56 YEARS OF AGE, I HAD 4-5 STROKES, ACCORDING TO THE MINNEAPOLIS VA HOSPITAL. I HAVE TREATABLE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, SLEEP APNEA LOW POTTASIUM AND 1 HEART ATTACK . I HAVE HAD CLAIMS IN SINCE 1997. VA SENT ME TO MINNEAPOLIS VA HOSPITAL IN AUG. OF 2010 FOR AN EXAM AND THE DR SAID HE WOULD SERVICE CONNECT ME, ESPECIALLY AFTER SPOTTING A SHRINKING PORTION OF MY SKULL AWAY FROM MY BRAIN, ALSO PER THE MRI AT THE MINNEAPOLIS VA HOSPITAL. NOW I FEEL I AM ONLY WAITING TO DIE. I AIM NOW 67 TIRED AND DEPRESSED ALL THE TIME. I FEEL THE VA IS WAITING FOR ME TO DIE, BECAUSE EVERY VIETNAM VETERAN WHO WON A CLAIM, DIED SHORTLY AFTERWARD. ONE FRIEND JUST DIED OF SLEEP APNEA, CAUSE HE WOULDNT USE THE MACHINE. AT AGE 65. THE VA DOESNOT CARE! THEY PROVE IT DAILY! THE VA WILL NOT PAY NAVY NOR AIR FORCE SERVICE PEOPLE BECAUSE OF AGENT ORANGE, THIS WAS SET IN STONE DURING THE BUSH ADMIN. NOW I DONT MIND DIEING, I HAVE THOUGHT IT OVER AND HOPE IT WILL BE BY MASSIVE HEART ATTACK. I AM MORE ASHAME OF THE US GOVT AND THE VA THAN PISSED. I WILL NOT ENCOURAGE ANY KID TO JOIN THE SERVICE ANYMORE. I AM NOT THROUGH FIGHTING THEM. I CANT SAY WHAT I WISH WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM. OF COURSE THEY NEVER DID PROMISE US THEY WOULD TREAT US WITH HONOR. OF COURSE THEY NEVER DID PLEDGE ANYTHING TO US. OF COURSE THEY DONT OWE US ANY ALLEGIANCE. I STILL SIT HERE, LAW BIDING, PATROTIC AND FAITHFUL IN THE LORD.

alvin e thomas

Call your local DAV, VFW service officer and ask to make a appointment with them and explain your case. I know they can be a huge resource for you on getting you claim and processing going in the right direction. For years I walked away from asking for any help from anyone. What a fool I was. Don’t make the same mistake and GIVE UP! They can open doors that are closed.
Three tours in the Delta and greatly damaged by Orange.

Chekawa

My father was in Vietnam I believe from 67 to late 69. He was always a very strong man until the last several years and his health has done nothing but decline!! He has had quad heart by pass, enlarged liver, kidney disease, anemia, pstd and severe depression! He has just found out about the anemia, given 3 pints of blood and a 3 day iron infusion and still not better. Now they are talking about checking bone marrow!! I’m so pissed off at the way the vietnam vets have been treated!! My father has terrible night terrors now, has had to retire from his job and the VA is steady giving him the run around!! He also has shrapnel in his left foot which has caused him so many problems. This ordeal has been going on since 1982!! Regular drs say its agent orange and VA claims other wise!!

The fact that the US would take such a tough stand on communism was absolutely in the minds of those at the Kremlin. And, what about the various CIA operations we will never know about, or, the Korean War – did they serve for any other reason than to help end the cold war?

Old age? At 20 right after getting out I had urinary problems and prostrate problems. At thirty I had high blood pressure and developed ashma (sp), rashes including Psorisis (sp), and arterial problems along with peronies and ED. At 50 2 heart stints and kidney stint and have two kidneys funcitoning as one. Prostristis and thyroid calcification. And right after discharge and since removal of lumps all over my body. I have three bad heart valves diagnoised at 30 and arythmia as well as cholesterol problems since late 30′s. Diabetic, type II at thirty along with stomach problems since discharge which is uncontroled with meds. IBS in my 20′s along with fatique and depression. Diagnosed PTSD by VA and jogged on the perimeter of base in Thailand where the Chico report showed they used AO to control vegitation since mowing was impossible and area inward was mined. Used there up to 1975 even after they stopped using it in Vietnam of which I was there too. VA now admits use of it in Thailand to 75. Now have cyst in bladder and showdow in prostrate yet to be taken care of by the VA since they are working on the thyroid calcification. Have had to use Cpap since 30′s and I was not obese then.
Now tell me that its all due to aging. I am 59 now and have had most of the problems from early twenties to early forties. None runs in my family who many have lived into mid 80′s’ to 103. And where in great health with exception of mother who died of alcoholism.
To say thyroid is not presumptive? well studies could not find why all vets who served foreign and domestic are high for MS? So if all vets are high for may other things such as thyroid then we have to look at that as well as peronies. Thyroid is largely undiagnosed unless you are looking for it and most vets will not tell about peronies or ED. A list is need for those exposed who have any health problems.
Not to mention the DDT sprayed every night with kerosine for bugs. Most old oil men died young of heart problems from getting heating oil and kerosene on them them when they delivered it in the 30′s and 40′s. How about us who were sprayed daily for all the time we were in SEA