Vietnam / Agent Orange - danger wasn't just bullets and bombs!

" To day I'm proudly Serving my fellow Vietnam Veterans. "
Those of us who went to Vietnam always knew there was danger there, but what we didn't realize was that the danger wasn't just bullets and bombs. It was also in the water and the air. The fact that the danger came from unseen places has greatly affected my life, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of our fellow Vietnam veterans.

As someone who is involved both in the national leadership of Vietnam Veterans of America and in working with individual veterans, I'd like to remind you how your support for veterans is helping them cope with that hidden danger that has disabled so many over the last 30 years. There are many guys that truly need and are grateful for our help.

When I enlisted in the Air Force in 1965, I scored pretty highly on their language aptitude tests, so they put me in military intelligence and trained me in Vietnamese. I volunteered to go to Vietnam and ended up flying on spy planes as an intelligence analyst. The base near Da Nang where I was posted had been cleared of jungle for 500 yards in every direction through the use of Agent Orange. As you probably know, Agent Orange was used extensively all over Vietnam to defoliate the jungle and reduce cover for the Viet Cong. Agent Orange may have helped us fight the enemy, but it also contained dioxin, one of the most poisonous substances known. When I would take a shower at that base near Da Nang, I always wondered about the sign that said, Non-Potable water. And soon after I left Vietnam, I broke out with terrible acne infections all over my shoulders, something that had never happened before.

The infections cleared up about a year later and I didn't think much more about it. I had been transferred to Okinawa and was still doing intelligence work when I found out my father was dying of cancer. Because I was an only son, I was given a hardship discharge to go home to support my mother and help my family deal with my father's impending death. Watching my father go through the final stages of cancer was the first time I ever witnessed what a serious illness can do to a person and to a family. It was especially hard on my mother. I started to think about all the guys who had come home from Vietnam disabled, and their families. I felt lucky to have escaped that fate, but I also felt a responsibility to those who didn't. So a couple of friends and I took to visiting the local VA hospital and the guys who had lost arms and legs. Some of the disabled vets didn't have any family nearby and they got pretty lonely cooped up in the hospital all the time. So we'd take them out on the town for a night. I'm always surprised by how many Vietnam vets still need our help.

Seeing these guys and listening to their stories, I began to worry about how Vietnam vets were being treated by the military and the VA. I went back to school to get a degree, but I also started to get involved in veterans issues like job training and placement for vets.

In dealing with all these guys, I began to realize that a lot of guys who were wounded and disabled when they answered America's call to serve weren't wounded by bullets or bombs. They were wounded by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), by tropical diseases, or by exposure to Agent Orange. They were becoming sick and dying of cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and diabetes, all of which have been conclusively linked to Agent Orange exposure. To me, these guys deserved as much credit and as much help from the nation that sent them to war as the guys who were wounded in combat. And they weren't getting it.

America claims to honor its veterans, but it was turning its back on the serious problems Vietnam veterans were having as a result of service in Vietnam. So when I was asked to start a VVA chapter in Queens, NY in 1981, I jumped at the chance. I continued to fight for veterans to make sure they got the benefits they deserved, especially related to health problems as a result of Vietnam service. Then, in 1994, it all became personal.

I was eating a piece of key lime pie, when I collapsed. Everyone around me thought I was having a heart attack and I was rushed to the hospital. But it turns out that it wasn't a heart attack, and I guess the key lime pie should have been a clue. After a battery of tests, the diagnosis was diabetes. After the shock had worn off, I thought back to those showers I took in Vietnam. It's pretty clear that the "non-potable" water we were all showering with was contaminated with Agent Orange. The strange infections I had gotten in Vietnam were almost certainly chloracne, a type of severe skin infection that results from exposure to harmful chemicals. Because I knew about the connection between Agent Orange and diabetes, I immediately filed for disability status with the VA It took years for my case to be approved. I began to suffer some of the serious problems related to diabetes including numbness in my hands and feet (neuropathy). Thankfully, my wife Mariann is a loving and caring person, but she worried constantly about the fact that I was at high risk for heart disease and deterioration of my vision (retinopathy) related to diabetes. It bothered me that if I got any more sick, I'd place an even greater burden on her, or worse yet, leave her a widow. Because of all my years of involvement with veterans issues, I knew how to push my claim with the VA, and I eventually won, but I realized I held a privileged position.

My wonderful wife, Mariann, and I are dealing with my diabetes together. Most Vietnam veterans who come down with diabetes, prostate cancer, or any of the other diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure, have no idea that their service in Vietnam is making them sick all these years later. They have no idea that they are entitled to health and disability benefits from the VA. So I made it a personal goal of mine to help make sure that we get the word out, and help as many of these guys as we possibly can.

Today, I am the President of the New York State Council of VVA. I'm also a Service Officer in the Manhattan Chapter, working with individual Vietnam veterans, especially those who have medical conditions related to Agent Orange. Today, I am the President of the New York State Council of VVA. I'm also a Service Officer in the Manhattan Chapter, working with individual Vietnam veterans, especially those who have medical conditions related to Agent Orange. Let me tell YOU Why We really need your help! And I'm very grateful for your help in this effort.

Recently, for example, I worked with a guy I'll call Jose, who was a decorated infantry soldier in Vietnam. Jose was in his 50s and a successful carpenter, a leader in a New York carpenters union. But he had become sick and was diagnosed with diabetes. Jose's health deteriorated and he was unable to work. He had numbness in his hands and feet. He had a heart condition. When he first came to my office, he looked terrible. But it wasn't just diabetes that was dragging him down, it was all the financial worries that loomed over him, his wife and his family.

He had lost his livelihood and didn't know what to do. I'm just glad he had VVA to turn to. I helped Jose submit a claim to the VA and worked it through until they declared him 100% disabled due to his service. He got a bunch of money for back benefits, as well as monthly disability payments, which helped alleviate his desperate financial situation.

But Jose told me that the most important thing was that because of his disability status, his son could now get VA benefits to help him go to college.

Jose had always planned to help his son complete his education, but once he got sick, that dream had disappeared. It meant a lot to him that we gave him that dream back again and thousands of other Vietnam vets... This is what your support can mean to guys like Jose.

I remember another guy, Eddie, who had numbness from diabetes so badly that he broke a couple of toes and didn't even know it. The injury festered and he ended up having to have part of his foot amputated. I was able to get Eddie designated as 90% disabled.

To me, Eddie deserves this as much as the guys who lost a foot or a hand in Vietnam. Guys like lose and Eddie were wounded and disabled in Vietnam, they just didn't know it. Sometimes in Vietnam, the danger was in the water and the air.

And the VA is doing a lousy job of letting veterans know about this. That's why I'm working to get the message out these days. I go to VFW posts, Knights of Columbus halls, wherever I can find a bunch of veterans, and make sure they know about the connection between Agent Orange exposure and diseases, especially diabetes.

I'm also trying to talk to as many doctors as I can to make sure they ask their diabetes patients about service in Vietnam and tell patients they may be entitled to benefits from the VA. Maybe you can help with this effort. I've enclosed a list of the warning signs of diabetes. If you know anyone with these symptoms, suggest they talk to a doctor. And if it's a fellow Vietnam vet, tell them their local VVA chapter can help determine if they should file a claim with the VA.

I can't thank you enough for supporting WA so we can do this important work to help veterans get the health and disability benefits they deserve. It's very satisfying to me to help these guys stand up to the VA. Many of them have really suffered.

It was the support from VVA members like you and me that helped VVA fight the VA over the Agent Orange issue. For years, the VA ignored all the medical evidence and denied that exposure to Agent Orange caused health problems. We took them to court and won on behalf of the millions of soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

And your support helps make sure that VVA is able to fight in Washington to protect the rights of all veterans, and especially those who served in Vietnam and came home wounded, or who later developed diseases related to their service. You help us make sure these guys aren't forgotten.

As for myself, I'm doing okay with diabetes these days. It's under control and I'm coping, thanks in part to the benefits and health care I get through the VA. But there are a lot of guys out there who don't know they can get help who are going without medical care - and suffering.

I'm very grateful for your help to get the message out to them. As a member of VVA's National Finance Committee, I can tell you that we really count on people like you to keep all our programs going. I hope you'll continue your support by sending a gift today.

Guys like Jose and Eddie put their lives on the line for America. And they paid a price. The fact that the price isn't showing up until 30 years later makes it harder to make sure they get the benefits and the respect they were promised when they went to war. The support from VVA members like you and me help us stand beside them to make sure they aren't forgotten. Thanks!

Sincerely,
John Rowan

PS. Right now, the federal government is looking to close VA hospitals to save money because the number of World War II veterans who need VA care is dwindling. There is money to be saved, and that could be a good thing for veterans, but it's crucial that the process take into account the needs of Vietnam veterans. Because of Agent Orange, Vietnam veterans may need more health care as they age than any other group of veterans, and we must make sure the VA has enough capacity to provide it. Your gift today will help individual veterans get the benefits they deserve, and help us fight to protect the benefits of all Vietnam veterans. I hope you'll complete the enclosed reply slip and mail your contribution to WA today.

Thank you very much!

We all care about Americas veterans, but/ know we all have a very special place in our hearts for the Vietnam veterans who need our help today.

Thanks!

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" RESEARCH ON AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN EFFECTS " (AO-1-03)

New Information on Agent Orange & Agent Purple

http://theorangestripe.org/herbicidal-warfare-vietnam-1961-1971.html

http://cybersarges.tripod.com/AOphotos.html

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=ie7&q=orangestripe.org/agent+purple&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS369US369

http://theorangestripe.org/herbicidal-warfare-vietnam-1961-1971.html

http://theorangestripe.org/aerial-herbicide-spray-missions-in-southern-vietnam-1965-1971.html

http://theorangestripe.org/agent-purple.html

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/herbicide/

If you only watch one video this year, this video on dioxin is a must. Don't miss it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50E0eGwqPv4

Alan Oates
Vietnam Veterans of America
Chairman
Agent Orange/Dioxin and Other Toxic Substances Committee
4270 South Ox Rd
Edinburg, VA 22824
540-325-1232

Agent Orange Claims Update August 20, 2010 posted by Chuck Palazzo

http://www.veteranstoday.com/

Agent Orange
From the DVA newsletter, Agent Orange Review (July 2010 edition):
Three new presumptive diseases will indeed be part of the list later in 2010.
As always, I urge you to get your claims submitted. This newsletter, although not law, does come from the DVA and is a pretty good indicator of what will follow.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will add two new conditions to the list of “presumptive illnesses” related to Agent Orange exposure. These are Parkinson’s disease and ischemic heart disease. In addition, VA will expand the presumption for chronic lymphocytic leukemia to include all chronic B-cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia.
These conditions will now be presumed to be service-connected to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. Vietnam Veterans with these illnesses will be able to claim VA disability benefits and health care services without having to prove that their conditions are connected to Agent Orange exposure.
The new policy, expected to take effect in late 2010, will apply to Veterans who served in Vietnam anytime during the period beginning January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975. It will not apply to Veterans who only served on “Blue Water” Navy ships in the region.
“We must do better reviews of illnesses that may be connected to service, and we will,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Veterans who endure health problems deserve timely decisions based on solid evidence.”

ISSUE: Research into human health effects of exposure to the ingredients in Agent Orange/Dioxin and other herbicides and toxic chemicals used in Vietnam needs to continue in order to provide for the most complete understanding of these effects.

BACKGROUND: While numerous scientific studies have revealed significant harmful effects of exposure to the ingredients of Agent Orange/Dioxin as well as other herbicides and toxic substances on humans and animals, continued research is needed to fully understand the entire range of the possible effects of such exposure. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) review of scientific information indicated there are a number of studies that need replication in order to reach a scientifically accepted standard of significant association. VVA believes there needs to be a large-scale study of the effects on Vietnam veterans and their children and that other studies of positively exposed groups are needed to add to knowledge on this issue. One critical component of such studies must be the effects on the children of Vietnam veterans and other exposed individuals.

ISSUE: Research into human health effects of exposure to the ingredients in Agent Orange/Dioxin and other herbicides and toxic chemicals used in Vietnam needs to continue in order to provide for the most complete understanding of these effects.

THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS (AO-1-01)

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America, in light of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports, demands that the US. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and other appropriate federal agencies initiate and support an independent comprehensive health study on veterans and their children, which includes determination of the delayed effects of exposure to the ingredients in Agent Orange / Dioxin and other toxic chemicals used primarily in Vietnam, this research which bases its decisions on scientifically accepted standards, i.e.: Standard Mortality Ratios (SMRs) determines significant associations for diseases currently recognized by the DVA as related to herbicide exposure to assist all veterans and families. The DVA must go beyond the SMRs and start to utilize and recognize Standard Incident measurements when determining significant associations of all diseases. In addition, VVA supports and encourages valid, independent, on-site, scientific research in Southeast Asia to ascertain the delayed effects of exposure to Agent Orange/Dioxin and other herbicides and toxic substances used during the Vietnam War. VVA supports and encourages continuing scientific research in communities, industries, and hazardous waste sites in the United States where workers and residents have been exposed to toxic substances similar to those used in Southeast Asia, and further supports studies of the delayed effects of exposure.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the VVA position, costing VVA less than $100.

AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN CHILDREN'S REGISTRY; RECOGNIZING THE
CONNECTION BETWEEN DIOXIN & LEARNING DISABLED CHILDREN (AO-2-03)

ISSUE: Many veterans, having been exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin during their military service or else where; subsequently, have become parents of children who may be physically or developmentally impaired as a result of such exposure (e.g., spina bifida). Currently, there is no mechanism in place to monitor these children to establish patterns of physical or developmental impairments for purposes of ascertaining the effects of Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure on the parents of these children. It is also evident, from the scientific literature, that those of our children with a Learning Disabilities diagnosis lack the proper treatment and education needed to ultimately become productive members of society. And, because of parental exposure to Dioxins during the Vietnam era, studies have shown a marked increase in the number of children with learning disabilities. In particular, such evidence has shown a proportionally higher number of veterans` offspring are affected than those of non-veterans.

BACKGROUND: It would contribute significantly to the information available on the effects of exposure to Agent Orange/Dioxin on the children of exposed veterans if a data registry system were developed. Furthermore, the development and maintenance of a national register / data bank of these children must include mechanisms that protect the privacy of these children and their families.

THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS AND COMBINES (AO-2-01) AND (AO-15-01)

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America calls upon the U.S. Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize the work already done by the BIRTH DEFECT RESEARCH FOR CHILDREN (BDRC) ORGANIZATION, formerly the Association of Birth Defect Children. BDRC should continue to register the children of Agent Orange! Dioxin-exposed veterans for the purpose of identification of any possible link age between parental exposure and the health problems of such children. Furthermore, VVA supports BDRC in its continuing research of present and future generations of Agent Orange/Dioxin-exposed children. Furthermore, that VVA: Strongly urge chapters and state councils to educate their members on the cause and effect of exposure of the veteran. In addition, it should include the effect this exposure has had or
could have on their children and grandchildren. Strongly urge that VVA request that the Congress enact legislation that will mandate that the Department of Veterans Affairs or related agencies assist or compensate affected children.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the VVA position, costing VVA less than $100.

STATE AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN PROGRAMS (AO-3-03)

ISSUE: State-funded Agent Orange/Dioxin programs have significantly contributed to the scientific knowledge about Agent Orange/Dioxin. Over the past few years, many of these programs have ceased to exist because of either the lack of sufficient financial resources and/or lack of interest.

BACKGROUND: Since the early 1980s, a number of states initiated, most often through the advocacy of Vietnam veterans, state-sponsored Agent Orange/Dioxin programs. Some of these programs, Massachusetts and New Jersey in particular, engaged in research programs, which substantially contributed to the scientific information concerning Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. Others have had extensive education programs for veterans and health care providers. Over the past few years, many of these programs have felt the pinch of the fiscal constraint and seen their funding severely decreased or stopped.

THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS (AO-3-01)

RESOLVED THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America, supports the continuation of relevant state Agent Orange/Dioxin programs and encourages state legislators to assist in the full resolution of the Agent Orange/Dioxin issue by supporting state-funded research and education programs.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the Resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the WA position, costing VVA less than $100.

VVA AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN GUIDE (AO-4-95)

ISSUE: New research, new Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) regulations, and new legislation have, over the years, increased the knowledge about, and access to services for veterans regarding Agent Orange/Dioxin exposure. Veterans and veterans advocates need to have timely and accurate information to address their concerns and those affected veterans and their families.

BACKGROUND: Vietnam Veterans of America has printed a number of editions of the highly regarded VVA Guide on Agent Orange. Copies have been provided to all WA chapters and state councils, VVA service representatives, congressional offices, and veterans and their families and more recently has purchased and distributed the National Veterans Legal Services Programs (NVLSP) "Self-Help Guide on Agent Orange." Through the use of this guide, VVA members have become the most knowledgeable group of veterans on this issue and have used this knowledge to advocate for successful legislative and regulatory initiatives.

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America mandates biennial revision and distribution of the 1 Guide on Agent Orange and encourages the periodic update of the NVLSP "Self-Help Guide on Agent Orange."

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of an annual order of the NVLSP "Self-Help Guide on Agent Orange" by the committee for distribution, which is requested in the committee’s annual budget submission, costing VVA approximately $6,000.

ASSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGENT ORANGE ACT OF 1991 (AO-5-03)

ISSUE: While the legislation enacted on February 6, 1991, PL 102-04, represents legitimate progress toward a long-term resolution of the Agent Orange/Dioxin issue, success of the statute relies heavily upon the panel assembled by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and upon the willingness of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to accept its recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Under the circumstances, the proper execution of the law’s intent requires careful monitoring of both the DVA and the NAS in order to assure that the NAS panel maintains scientific objectivity and that the DVA implements any clinical recommendations of the NAS.

THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS (AO-5-01)

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America will monitor the make-up of the NAS or any other contracted panel to assure its integrity as intended by law and will take all steps necessary to promote remedial legislation or other action as needed.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the VVA position, costing VVA less than $100.

DIOXIN DISPOSAL METHODS (AO-6-03)

ISSUE: Disposal and storage of Dioxin-contaminated materials and sediments can have a direct health impact on all citizens of this country
BACKGROUND: Ocean dumping of contaminated materials can directly impact on the food chain, leading to ingestion of food products containing Dioxin. In addition, unrestricted disposal of Dioxin-contaminated materials in landfills can affect ground water reservoirs and aquifers. Incineration of these materials may result in release into the atmosphere of potentially hazardous substances. Proper and safe disposal must be used in dealing with Dioxins. VVA must remain knowledgeable about the science of dioxin-contaminated sediments and supports necessary research to guarantee minimal health risks to the community

THIS RESOLUTION AMENDS (AO-7-03)

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America opposes ocean dumping of Dioxin-contaminated materials and calls for immediate termination of EPA-approved dumping permits. VVA supports research on existing methods of disposal or storage of Dioxin-contaminated sediments and stands ready to work with all concerned scientific and ecological groups to ensure proper disposal or storage of these contaminated sediments.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention, this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the VVA position, costing VVA less than $100.

CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE (AO-7-03)

ISSUE: Health care, compensation, and education has been awarded to the children of veterans who have spina bifida as a result of their parents’ exposure to Agent Orange/Dioxin and other toxic chemicals while in military service. However, there are more birth defects that are associated with this exposure.

BACKGROUND: New studies are now showing a wide variety of birth defects in the children of civilians and veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange/Dioxin.

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America supports a comprehensive health-care and special needs program and compensation to assist Vietnam veterans` children and subsequent generations who have birth defects, deficiencies, or disabilities reasonably associated with parental exposure to Agent Orange/Dioxin and other toxic chemicals while in military service.

FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of telephone calls, letters, emails, and faxes by the National Office staff and various committee members to advocate for the VVA position, costing VVA less than $100.

AGENT ORANGE/DIOXIN NETWORK (AO-8-95)

ISSUE: Although Vietnam veterans have information available to them on Agent Orange/Dioxin, they lack the immediate help and support that could be achieved through a veterans` Agent Orange/Dioxin network. We need more expansion and development of the net work because of the releases of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) reports.

BACKGROUND: Vietnam veterans and their families are frustrated over the lack of immediate information on Agent Orange/Dioxin. The DVA has not cooperated in the dissemination of timely and accurate information. Veterans and their families need to know that there is immediate help and information for this intensely human problem. This includes the personal support that affected veterans can receive from other veterans through a network.

RESOLVED, THAT: Vietnam Veterans of America directs that the national Agent Orange/Dioxin Committee, under the direction of the National Agent Orange/Dioxin chair, shall:

1. Hold biennial Agent Orange/Dioxin symposium in conjunction with the National Leadership Conference. Chapter and State Council Agent Orange/Dioxin committee chairpersons and any other interested parties may and are encouraged to attend, for the purpose of:

a. Continuing the development of national pro grams of direct and/or referral services;

b. Continuing and enhancing an interstate and intrastate networking model of information and support services; and

c. Continuing the development and implementation of questionnaires for the purpose of recording and measuring the past and current health status of VVA members, their spouses, their children, and their grandchildren.

2. Require the National Board of Directors to maintain budget allocations for the aforementioned activities.

3. Actively promote and expand the Agent Orange/Dioxin network.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT: In accordance with motion 8 passed at VVA January 2002 National Board of Directors meeting which charges this committee with reviewing of its relevant Resolutions and determining an expenditure estimate required to implement the Resolution, presented for consideration at the 2003 National Convention; this committee submits that implementation of the foregoing Resolution shall consist of an annual committee budget submission, costing VVA approximately $16,000 each fiscal year.

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http://www.lewispublishing.com/orange.htm

" Agent Orange Retro Claims Allowed "

Tom Philpott | April 01, 2010
New Agent Orange Rule to Allow Retro Claims by 86,000

About 86,000 Vietnam War veterans, their surviving spouses or estates will be eligible for retroactive disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs -- an average of 11.4 years for veterans and 9.6 years for survivors -- under a draft VA rule to expand by three the number of diseases presumed caused by herbicide exposure in the war.

The 86,000 are beneficiaries who can reopen previously denied claims for these conditions: ischemic heart disease, Parkinson's disease and chronic B-cell blood cancers including hairy cell leukemia. But another 29,000 claims are expected to be approved this year for Vietnam veterans suffering from these diseases but applying for benefits for the first time.

The projected cost of this dramatic expansion of claims linked to Agent Orange and other defoliants deployed four decades ago is $13.6 billion this fiscal year and $42.2 billion over 10 years. VA plans to hire 1772 new claims processors, starting this October, to be able to handle these claims "without significantly degrading the processing of the non-presumptive workload."

In the proposed rule published March 25 in the Federal Register, VA officials explained that Secretary Eric Shinseki has cut the usual 60-day public comment period by half "to promote rapid action" on these claims.

When a final rule is published, soon after April 26, VA claim offices across the country can begin making payments. Veterans with these diseases will need to show they set foot in Vietnam during the war. Those who served aboard ship just off the coast remain ineligible.

John Maki, assistant national service director for Disabled American Veterans, said DAV was glad to see the comment period cut to 30 days. Otherwise, the draft regulation contains no surprises. "It basically is going to take those three conditions and just add them to disabilities already listed as presumptive diseases for Agent Orange," Maki said.

One surprise still might be the thoroughness of the draft rule's analysis of the beneficiary populations and the costs facing the department from this wave of claims for both retroactive payments and new benefits.

Adding ischemic heart disease to the list of presumptive Agent Orange illnesses is by far the most significant part of the new rule, accounting for 82 percent of additional expected payments to beneficiaries.

The rule defines ischemic health disease as a condition causing inadequate supply of blood and oxygen to the myocardium, the middle and thickest layer of the heart wall. "IHD" can include, but is not limited to, acute, sub acute and old myocardial infarction; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease including coronary artery disease (or spasm) and coronary bypass surgery, and stable, unstable and Prinzmetal's angina.

Because IHD is a heart disease it "does not include hypertension or peripheral manifestations of arteriosclerosis such as peripheral vascular disease or stroke," the draft regulation explains.

Of 86,000 beneficiaries eligible for retroactive claims, VA estimates that nearly 70,000 of them are living Vietnam veterans, their average age now 63. Of those, 62,200 previously were denied compensation for IHD, 5400 were denied for B-cell leukemia and 2300 for Parkinson's disease.

About 53,000 who previously filed claims for these diseases already are receiving VA compensation for other service-related diseases. Of those, roughly 8350 are rated 100-percent disabled and therefore might not be eligible for retroactive pay.

VA assumes that veterans with Parkinson's disease or for B-cell leukemia will be awarded a 100-percent disability ratings. The average rating for ischemic heart diseases is expected to be 60 percent.

In calculating VA costs from this change, VA assumes that 80 percent of the eligible population will apply for benefits and 100 percent of those who do will be approved. But eligible vets and survivors must file claims to get paid; nothing will happen automatically. To file claims online visit: http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp. Veterans without a computer can call a toll-free helpline at 1-800-749-8387.

VA maintains a directory of veterans' service organizations with trained staff to help in filing claims. The website: http://www1.va.gov/vso/. Many state, county and local governments also have personnel to help. Find information on these agencies at: http://www.va.gov/statedva.htm.

VA also expects many ineligible veterans to file claims. They will be found ineligible because they can't show they ever set foot in Vietnam though they suffer from one of the qualifying diseases. Many claims will be filed by veterans with hypertension but those will be rejected because that condition is not a "heart disease" under the VA draft regulation.

In total, VA expects claims volume from presumptive Agent Orange diseases to hit 159,000 this year and to exceed 270,000 by fiscal 2019.

Maki noted that entitlement to benefits only occurs with final publication of the regulation. Retroactive payments usually will be made back to the date a claim was filed for a presumptive disease.

"It is possible, since this is a liberalized law, that somebody may be able to get the retroactive date [moved back] to one year prior to the effective date in the regulation, if they can show they had the claimed condition prior to that year," Maki said.

The growing list of Agent Orange diseases stems of a court case, Nehmer v. Department of Veterans Affairs, filed in 1986 The class action lawsuit won by veterans, and reinforced by legislation, requires VA to direct the National Academy of Sciences to report every two years on any positive association between new diseases and exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

In 2007, the Bush administration went to court to challenge the legal need for NAS studies on presumptive AO diseases to continue. It lost. The NAS reports are to continue through Oct. 1, 2014, with the possibility that more diseases will be found to have an association with herbicide exposure.

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VA Presumptive VN Vet Diseases Update 05

Well, it looks like we are going to get screwed again. This time by one of our own, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) (Nam Vet). I filed my claim in January and it was already in the works. The VA has conceded exposure to AO, conceded that I have various heart conditions (Ischemic Heart Disease), and has sent me for a C&P exam to determine the severity of my conditions. And now this! This information came to me from the Retiree Assistance Office (RAO Bulletin 15 June 2010).

VA Presumptive VN Vet Diseases Update 05: Before leaving for the Memorial Day break Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) had language included in the 2010 War Supplemental Bill (H.R.4899). This bill, passed by the Senate last week, includes language to freeze the payments of funds for the new illnesses that the VA decided (last October) would be added to the list of presumptive illnesses from exposure to Agent Orange. They are B cell leukemia, Parkinson’s disease and certain heart diseases. The VA has been hiring new people and gearing up for the expected 200,000+ new claims that they are expecting because of this change. However Senator Webb says that he thinks the VA may be moving too quickly and is basing his amendment on the Congressional Review Act (PL 104-121) which allows Congress to put a 60 day hold on spending appropriated money for major new agency initiatives to allow Congress time to review them. During that period, Congress can pass a joint resolution to block the initiatives. This would hold the $13.4 billion that has been appropriated for this program until Congress’ 60 day review is complete. The Senator (a Vietnam vet, a former Navy Secretary and a present member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee) said: “I take a back seat to no one in my concern for our veterans. But I do think we need to have practical, proper procedures here.” He said that the VA needs “an accountable standard” for deciding which health claims should be causally linked to exposure to Agent Orange.

VA Secretary Eric Shinseki met with Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, last month to ask that he cancel a hearing on the secretary's controversial decision to add three diseases to the list of Vietnam veteran illnesses presumed caused by exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in that war. Akaka and Webb are pressing Shinseki outside of the hearing process to explain last October's decision to add heart disease, Parkinson's disease and B-cell leukemia to the list of illnesses presumed caused by Agent Orange. It is not clear if this will slow down (or even stop) these new claims. [Source: TREA Washington Update and tom Philpott articles 4 & 10 Jun 2010 ++]

Lt. James “EMO” Tichacek, USN (Ret)
Associate Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RP
PSC 517 Box RCB, FPO AP 96517

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