Agent Orange Claim

[Stano]

Originally Posted by K9Piper

Stano...Did she say what it was about? Did she say that she needed info on your clain or did she say she needs to give you a date for a C&P Exam? I'm a CSO for DAV and I have not had seen or been told of calls like this unless it was to set up a examination for a C&P on your claim. I would assume that a call would be for info needed for your clain and usually that is requested in writing. Not being a person who trusts the VA, I would be happier if I could accomplish everything in writing that way folks can not twist things around on you. When ever the FED requests info they usually do it in writing so I would take the call and listen to it carefully. If they ask to tape the call , if it were me I'd say I'm not comfortable in doing it that way unless you are going to send me a copy and have me verify what I said in writing before it becomes an official statement that will be used with my claim. I'd also tell them I rather do it in writing. Remember they already have your statement in writing, your documents of medical proof as well as doctors notes and such. Other than that just watch what you say and perhaps advise them you will also record the entire call before you make any statements. Just my advice to you!
PS remember what you wrote on this forum "They have all paper work from my heart doctor already". To me , if they have the claim and all the doctor reports why would they call you? Maybe if you were a doctor. If they need additional medical info that is a doctors job not yours as you are not trained to make medical statements , diagnosis or medical claims or give medical advice.
K9piper

Had my phone interview yesterday. Lasted about 5 minutes. Basic questions I guess. Name, last 4 digits of SS#. How you feeling? What kind of physical activity can you do? She said my doctor's medical report was very thorough. Closed by saying "I should get a determination in 12 weeks".

Stano

[MOLLOY N.C.]

Don't appeal,go back and file a new claim mine jumped to 70 percent, if you appeal it takes years.Just keep filing new claims and you will get it. I filed a for 100 percent unemployability and am waiting for the answer .I have the same heart problems

[MOLLOY N.C.]

Your right it is a slap in the face AND YOU SHOULD BE MAD ,JUST KEEP REFILING . Don't appeal it takes years if you do . You have to send them a letter telling them how it has changed your life . IT HAS TO CHNGE YOUR LIFE IN SOME WAY, also have your wife write a letter and if you have any kids them .Congress just voted down 85 million dollars for the vets . Find out what your congressman voted and then vote his ass out . We need to stick together on this .

[MOLLOY N.C.]

Stano the vet centers have sessions where you can sit down and have "sessions with other Vet. The sessions are very informative on vet benefits, they usually meet a few times a month

[Stano]

Originally Posted by Stano

Had a voice message on my answering machine from the VA while I was away today. A VA nurse wants to a do a phone interview on my AO claim. She said she would call back next week. Any suggestion on how to handle the interview? They have all paper work from my heart doctor already.

Stano

Happy camper here! Received a letter from the VA today that my disability is being increased from 10% to 30%! That's all I wanted was 30% so my wife would be illegible for survivor's benefits.

Stano

[02rld]

guestPacer said to request a copy of your "military records". How do you do that and what information is in them? Thanks in advance for a reply.

[ThinBlueLine]

Originally Posted by 02rld

guestPacer said to request a copy of your "military records". How do you do that and what information is in them? Thanks in advance for a reply.

There are a couple of ways. Contact the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis (you can google it)

Or you can contact your local or nearest VSO (Veteran Service Officer). In addition, there is probably someone at a VFW Post, or American Legion that will have the knowledge and be more than happy to assist.

Best Wishes & Welcome Home

[guestPacer]

O2rld just like ThinBlueLine suggested going down to your local VA and request your records that what I did late 70's since then you can also do it online.
Beyond supplied this after their input and research

Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request

Semper Fi

[Stano]

Originally Posted by Stano

Happy camper here! Received a letter from the VA today that my disability is being increased from 10% to 30%! That's all I wanted was 30% so my wife would be illegible for survivor's benefits.

Stano

Just want to confirm what I had been told all along on this Forum. If you are getting only 10% for a Agent Orange disability, go back and reapply!

Stano

[Ray,IN]

AO disease list approved by VA. If you have diabetes, make a claim for that too.

[guestPacer]

02rld, let me answer your question about what other things you can fine on your military records it tells you what operations you were involved in and when. They loved spraying around fire bases. A lot of our brothers and sister are living with the affects of Agent Orange and that's just us, what about the people in the country we tested and used this*%$%%$ Sorry I remembered. The best and luck for everyone applying.

[Ray,IN]

Herbicide amounts and locations: USAF Ranch Hand Herbicide Amounts Sprayed in Vietnam

[Helipilot]

It is a shame the way the Viet Nam vets were treated. The problem was the WW2 and Korean vets were the focus of the VA policies and when they began dying at the high rates (IIRCC about 1500/day and they were dying in their late 70's and 80's, BTW compare that to the VN vets dying in their 50's and 60's) and I believe the VA suddenly realized their budgets would be cut if they didn't add more vets into their treatment numbers. Therefore, the VN vets and the vets from the Middle East conflicts were suddenly "welcomed" into the system.

I am a Purple Heart combat veteran (I Corps, Ashau Valley Hamburger Hill, '68 and '69) and it always bothered me a guy could get a disability for falling off a bar stool in Saigon whereas a true combat vet worthy of a disability for wounds and injuries was denied. Worse still, Monsanto and Dow Chemical, the purveyors of Agent Orange were let off the hook by our [moderator edit] politicians and legal system. [moderator edit] The Type 2 diabetes that starts showing up in the vets in their 50's and 60's as a result of exposure to that crap cost me my Commercial Pilots license when I came down with it in my early 60's. My income went from six figures to low five figures until I figured out something else to do.

You have to fight the [moderator edit] every day for any benefits due you. [moderator edit] the scum sucking paper pushers, because there are very few of us who were the point of the spear and actually were in combat, slept in rat infected bunkers, killed the enemy, smelled the blood and other smells of death, held the hands of our Brothers in Arms while they suffered or died and have had to live with the dreams and memories for the past 48 years.

Embrace your rage...stay off the cigarettes, booze, drugs and the shots the VA give you. Why else are the VN vets all dying so young.

[wa8yxm]

Stano. This is kind of a generic post but the Agent Orange claims are being handled much the same as Social Security Disability, which I do have some 2nd hand (My Mother and some friends) experience with.

I should point out some of those friends work in the office that, IN S.E. Michigan, either approves or denies those claims.

Usually you need to do 2 or 3 hearing levels before they get it right. So go ahead and dispute the settlement. Eventually a judge will rule and most likely in your favor since I assume your claim is just.

(Yes I do know some folks try to cheat but I'm assuming you are not one of them, the tone of your original post says you are not).