[eggplant43]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/256/story/81894.html

This is big, and will likely have a personal impact upon me, but I think the most important aspect is that widows and dependents will finally get some justice in this matter, as noted towards the bottom of the article.

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/256/story/81894.html

This is big, and will likely have a personal impact upon me, but I think the most important aspect is that widows and dependents will finally get some justice in this matter, as noted towards the bottom of the article.

That is excellent news!

[eggplant43]

Somewhere, in the silence after death on the Mekong Delta, he saw the medals.

Stamped in gold, one showed a Viet Cong soldier attacking a U.S. tank and the words "Heroes Who Destroy Mechanized Equipment."

The Green Beret's hand closed around the medals in the stilled soldier's rucksack. He put the medals in his pocket.

He carried them home.

Forty years later, his brother e-mailed: Want to go back to Vietnam?

http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nf...nf020110-4.htm

[poochee]

Posted on Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Bill requires care for those exposed to tainted water at Lejeune
By Barbara Barrett | McClatchy Newspapers

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to care for Marines and their family members who might have suffered ailments stemming from their exposure.

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/politics/story/83545.html

[eggplant43]

The number of Vietnam veteran deaths has almost doubled since 2001 and, according Department of Veterans Affairs' projections, will hit 103,890 this year -- approaching 300 a day. That's more than five times the average daily number of U.S. combat deaths during the peak casualty year of the war in 1968.

http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nf...nf020810-2.htm

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nf...nf020810-2.htm

[eggplant43]

On a personal note I am 66, a 50% Agent Orange disabled vet. My health was stellar until about 4 years ago, and then it was one thing after another. I suspect many other vets are in the same situation. My exposure was 63-64, so I imagine those that came later, when there was the largest number of US troops on the ground, should just be showing up. Sadly, I imagine many vets, like me are totally ignorant of the effects of the exposure, when they arrive 40+ years later.

In case you served in 'Nam, and are unaware of this, if you have one or more diagnosis's on a list of 12, you have a "presumptive" claim. In other words, you are automatically entitled to disability through the VA. If anyone out there thinks they may qualify, let me know, and I can get you headed in the right direction.*

*Despite being told by a VA doctor to apply when I was first seen, never having asked anyone for help before, I was reluctant to do so, and waited for 2 and 1/2 years to apply. Once I did, it was just a matter of going through the process. By waiting, I missed 2 and 1/2 years of payments I would have received, so don't you make the same mistake.
It was only because two people that loved me doggedly persisted in my applying, that it even happened. So don't you make the same mistake. You've earned this, serving your country.

[poochee]

Eggplant, hope your message will reach and encourage Vietnam Veterans to check into this.

[katonca]

Eggplant, sorry you weren't able to take advantage of the benefits you were entitled to. I hope our vets will heed your message. And thank you again for serving our country.

[eggplant43]

So far, I haven't been contacted, but if I even got one vet to think about it, I will be happy.

Knowing you're not alone, that you can receive treatment, as well as compensation is a tremendous relief. Something I didn't mention in my previous post was that I am now entitled to 100% medical care from the VA for life. That has been such a gift, knowing I can get the care I need without having to go bankrupt.

I also received a 10 point preference when I tested for the Census Bureau recently, and have been hired as a enumerator as a result. For all of the above, I am very thankful.

[eggplant43]

http://www.vawatchdog.org/10/nf10/nf...nf021110-3.htm

[ekim68]

Thanks for the link eggplant. I've bookmarked it...I was there back in '69 to 73'.....(At least I have a place to be buried. )
(Never thought about the medical benefits, though...)

[eggplant43]

For your sake, I hope you don't have any of the problems so many of us have experienced, but if you do now, or if you develop them, I encourage you to get into the VA system.

[eggplant43]

Associated Agent Orange Diseases:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/expos...s.asp#veterans

[poochee]

Originally Posted by eggplant43

Associated Agent Orange Diseases:

http://www.publichealth.va.gov/expos...s.asp#veterans

Very informative.