Agent Orange Storage depot

[enfield303t]

It is very unfortunate how AO has affected so many people and the process to get compensation is such a quagmire of red tape and denial. All deserve to be respected and helped not hindered in the process.

I would really like to make a comment of how this reminds me of the treatment our Merchant Marine sailors in WW11 were treated by Canadian Gov'ts after the war but I know Badger would be upset as it would be very political.

[Mike Haas]

I did three tours, total of 28 months in country. Never gave it a thought. When I got out they rated me 10% for hearing. Back then (Dec 1971) that was $25 a month.

After I had colon and prostate cancer surgeries done at Kaiser, I got a notice in the mail to come in for AO screening. They never said how then knew I had the surgeries at Kaiser. So I applied for VA benefits in 2003 for AO prostate cancer. It took about a year and they assigned it a 60% rating and back paid to my filing date. In 2006 I had some heart attacks then 5 way bypass surgery. I asked if that was connected, they said no. Then last year all of a sudden in Oct ischemic heart disease was added. So I applied and dated it back to my surgery in 2006. They said no, it could only be from the date I applied. I mentioned I asked back in 2006. They said even if they said it was not related then and added it later, I could not go back to that date. It got rated at 30% dated to Oct 2010.

My county rep submitted some other issues at that time from my medical records. I was lucky in that I had kept my sea bag and records folder just the way it was when I got out in Dec 1971. Travel orders, assignments, locations medical records, all dated. It helped a lot that they didn't have to round them up. One of the guys on my 4 man boat also got cancer, but didn't have his records. Just so happens he was on my travels orders in 1969, and I gave him a copy. It then went through.

The VA has a funny math. I am rated 60% for the cancer, 30% for the heart, 30% for PTSD, 20% for a shoulder wound, 10% for hearing loss. They are reviewing the other shoulders wound and pulmonary hypertension and apnea (right side of the heart doesn't pump strong enough to the lungs) and to them that adds up to 86% which they have rounded up to 90%. I had to quit work last month, couldn't physically do the job anymore. My local county VA service person said we should try for un employability and he filed for that. I am waiting to hear. I hope I don't have to go through 2 appeals as Mike did.

They know all the stuff we were exposed to will shorten our lives. This stuff has effected us for over 40 years. We are in our 60's now. So what do we have left 5 maybe 10 years. I feel they are dragging their feet to help out. Their payments will not have to go on very long for us. Give us a break.

Viet Nam has always been the red headed step child of wars. Not popular, first on live TV, hippies protesting. I am very happy to see the treatment our current service people receive when they come home.

Don't read this wrong. I am very proud of our military past and present, and honored to have served. Also very patriotic. I just wish they would have a little more consideration for what we will be dealing with the rest of our lives.

Be it foresight, nostaglia or luck..I had saved all my Viet Nam Pay reciepts and orders etc. Those records proved my presence in RVN; dispite the eroors on my DD-214. The imcopetetance of my State of Md VA Admin.Rep. was incrediable!! The VA Office in Balto. Md. was almost as bad!! - The loss of my submitted paperwork on two occassions added to my frustration.

I couldn't afford to hire a lawyer since I couldn't work and I damn near lost my home. Frankly they had ****ed me off so bad I became determined to use my writing & legal skills to make my sucessfull appeals.

I refused to become discouraged and waded my way through the process. I used my records and patience and thoughtfull arguments to make my case to obtain 100% Permanant Disabiltity.

I will say as I have already said that VA has provided me with excellant medical care through the process and does so even today! I have no issues with the Medical Folks. It was just the #)&$@%%@!!**%% worthless PAPER-PUSHERS!!..Had I died before the final decision my wife would likely be living with our Kids!!

Be strong despite your illness!!..Get every record you can, Military or Civil!!..Get PO'ed and stick with it. If your right you will succeed. Unless you die first.

[Malygris]

"Hope this isn't to political for this forum or "offends" someone"

Bud, God bless for stating the facts; if anyone is so politically inclined as to be offended at your simple statement of facts, remind them that this is a free country and yes - they have the right to be offended - but you also have the right to offend them. And if they are so easily offended, then they probably need to be reminded that this offense thing works both ways.

The government will apparently lie to keep from giving a dollar to someone who deserves it but trips all over itself to give wheel barrow loads of cash to those too blame lazy to work for it. And yes - I know the difference between those that are simply lazy and sucking the system for all their worth and those that can't fend for them selves and truly need the help.

Praying for all you guys. Every time I see a vet in public I try to stop and shake a hand, thank them for their service. Sometimes it works out to just a smile and a nod to them, but you guys need to be acknowledged. I hope you get all that this country owes you.