Category Archives: Vietnam/Agent Orange

How to Fast Track your Agent Orange Claim

Posted on by vfwlady

AGENT ORANGE Fast Track Claims Processing System

With recent reports of VA Disability Claim backlogs approaching the 1 million mark, and an average 125 day wait, this is valuable information for Agent Orange exposed veterans filing claims for the first time.

The Agent Orange Fast Track Claims Processing System is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website that is dedicated to processing claims for Vietnam Veterans who are filing first-time service connection claims for any of the following conditions:

Exposed veterans can use the website to apply for disability benefits for these conditions if they served in the Republic of Vietnam or in-land waterways between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975.  Veterans who have previously applied for service connection for these conditions, or who wish to apply for service connection for any additional conditions,  should apply using the traditional claims process at the nearest VA Regional Office or visit the Department of Veterans Affairs website.

Agent Orange Fast Track has many features to expedite the claims process.

  • You can submit an application for benefits and evidence supporting your claim;
  • You can view your claim status;
  • You can view a list of evidence VA has received;
  • Your physician can submit evidence online; and can also send hardcopy evidence to the Fast Track Claims Processing System.

Information for Medical Providers

Your medical provider can support your application for benefits by completing a disability benefits questionnaire for their claimed condition. It will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire online.

These questionnaires provide details of the claimed condition and are used to evaluate the severity of the condition. Your medical provider’s help in completing these questionnaires is essential in providing medical evidence to complete the Fast Track Claims Process.

You can also mail or fax other medical evidence in support of the Veteran’s claim. See Contact Fast Track for more information.

Login or Register now to gain access to this system.

Asbestos Exposure During Military Service and Pleural Mesothelioma

Posted on by vfwlady

Countless veterans are currently suffering from life-threatening illnesses that are a result of exposure to asbestos.  Asbestos is a material that was commonly used in hundreds of military applications such as cement, clutches, valves, brakes, gaskets, boilers and ships primarily because of its resistance to fire. Although lesser known than Agent Orange, asbestos exposure has been proven as one of the contributing causes of pleural mesothelioma.

As a result of their exposure during military service, U.S. veterans account for a sizable percentage of pleural mesothelioma patients. Naval veterans are in one of the highest risk groups, and this is a result of the mass amount of asbestos material used on naval vessels. Navy veterans who worked in shipyards or aboard vessels experienced more asbestos exposure than the average member of the Armed Forces and can claim benefits from the VA system for this service-related condition.

The website PleuralMesothelioma.com  has the most up to date and comprehensive information about Pleural Mesothelioma on the web today; with information ranging from a complete list of symptoms, to treatment options and steps to take after a diagnosis.

Win Your VA Claim – VA Disability Claim 10 Steps to Help

Posted on by vfwlady

I have another fantastic resource to share with frustrated veterans.  How many veterans are familiar with, and have access to: VA Laws, VA Codes, and VA Manuals?  What if I gave every veteran a single link in this article where they could find 7 valuable law, code, and manual resources.  What if that link included detailed explanations of how all of these laws and codes affect a disability claim?

10 Steps toward Winning a VA Disability Claim:

  1. Get competent representation. Be picky, interview several reps until you locate one that you feel confident with.
  2. Send the required SF-180 form to request COMPLETE copies of military service files (including medical & personnel), a 2nd SF-180 form to request updating of Awards & Decorations, and a 3rd SF-180 form requesting a DD-214 if needed.
  3. Make a list and request copies of all Medical files from private physicians and hospitals.
  4. Request a copy of your Units History & lineage from the appropriate archive.
  5. Keep a file of all correspondence (make sure to staple the envelope to the letter for postmark date) with the VA; note received date in your logbook with a brief description.
  6. Keep copies of everything you send to the VA, do not send originals unless required.
  7. Never send documentation or requests directly to the VA. Always route through your rep as he/she should be keeping a log of information received and sent to VA dates.
  8. Use the sources of information and links from this website.
  9. There are no stupid questions, check the FAQ’s first, then ask for help.

  10. Follow the guidelines laid out on the website HadIt.com and follow through with backup for everything.

Veterans With Exposure Questions Can Contact The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center for Answers

Posted on by vfwlady

Veterans with unexplained health issues wondering if the cause is related to exposure during military service now have access to a valuable resource.  The War Related Illness and Injury Study Center (WRIISC–pronounced “risk”) specializes in occupational and environmental medicine, and has extensive experience in conducting environmental exposure assessments.

Exposures commonly linked to health issues include the following:

*Anthrax Vaccine

*Depleted Uranium

*Multiple immunizations

*Preventative medications

*Nerve agents or their antidotes

*Sandstorms

*Air pollution from burning trash

*Soot from oil well fires

*Jet Fuel/Solvents

If you live too far to travel to one of the three WRIISCs located in the U.S., then you can have a free consultation over the phone.  If you need to be seen by one of their specialists, they will document your visit in your VA computerized medical record along with any follow-up recommendation they make.

For more information, visit their website: www.warrelatedillness.va.gov

Agent Orange: Herbicide Exposure in US Thailand Bases 1961-1975

Posted on by vfwlady

Report on Defense Tactics in Thailand

A recently declassified Department of Defense (DoD) Report written in 1973 titled, “Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report: Base Defense in Thailand 1968-1972,” contains evidence that there was a significant use of herbicides on the fenced-in perimeters of military bases in Thailand to remove foliage that provided cover for enemy forces.

VA determined that herbicides used on the Thailand base perimeters may have been tactical and procured from Vietnam, or a strong, commercial type resembling tactical herbicides.

Agent Orange: Thailand Military Bases

Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits.

The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides:

  • U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975.
  • U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned an MP military
    occupational specialty whose duty placed him/her
    at or near the base perimeter    .

To receive benefits for diseases associated with herbicide exposure, these Veterans must show on a factual basis that they were exposed to herbicides during their service as shown by evidence of daily work duties, performance evaluation reports, or other credible evidence.

VA Benefits

Veterans

Eligible Veterans may receive the following VA benefits:

  • Agent Orange registry health exam: A free, comprehensive examination. Veterans who may have been exposed to herbicides during a military operation or as a result of testing, transporting, or spraying herbicides for military purposes may be eligible.
  • Health care benefits: A full range of medical benefits. There are many ways a Veteran may qualify.
  • Disability compensation benefits: A monthly payment for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure. Veterans who believe they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides outside of Vietnam must show on a factual basis that they were exposed in order to receive disability compensation for diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure.
  • Other benefits: Home loans, vocational rehabilitation, education, and more

Children and Survivors

Surviving spouses, children and dependent parents of Veterans who were exposed to herbicides and died as the result of diseases associated with Agent Orange exposure may be eligible for benefits. These benefits include Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, education, home loan and health care benefits. Find out if you qualify for survivors’ benefits.

Need Help Determining Exposure or Eligibility?

Contact VA for help determining Agent Orange exposure and your eligibility for VA benefits.

By Telephone

In Person

Vietnam Era, Navy and Coast Guard Ships Identified as Having Been Exposed to Agent Orange

Posted on by vfwlady

Update: Blue Water Veterans Agent Orange Report

Agent Orange: U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Ships in Vietnam

September 5th, 2011
The VA has released an updated list of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships associated with military service in Vietnam and possible exposure to Agent Orange based on military records.

This evolving list will help Veterans who served aboard ships, including “Blue Water Veterans,” find out if they may qualify for presumption of herbicide exposure.

Veterans must meet VA’s criteria for service in Vietnam, which includes aboard boats on the inland waterways or brief visits ashore, to be presumed to have been exposed to herbicides.

Veterans who qualify for presumption of herbicide exposure are not required to show they were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides when seeking VA compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange exposure.

Find Your Ship

Ships or boats that were part of the Mobile Riverine Force, Inshore Fire Support (ISF) Division 93 or had one of the following designations operated on the inland waterways of Vietnam. Veterans whose military records confirm they were aboard these ships qualify for presumption of herbicide exposure.

During your Vietnam tour, did your ship or boat have one of the following designations?

Alphabetized Ship List

If your vessel is not included in the Mobile Riverine Force, ISF Division 93 or above designations, check VA’s Alphabetized Ship List.

——————————————————————————————————

Previous report: June 20, 2011

The Department of Veterans Affairs recently addressed the findings on the affects of Agent Orange on Blue Water Sailors — those who served on deep water Navy or Coast Guard vessels. In summary, the report stated that the exposure of Vietnam-era Blue Water Navy Veterans to Agent Orange cannot reasonably be determined due to a lack of data on environmental concentrations of Agent Orange contaminants.
The VA is telling Blue Water Navy Veterans who feel they were exposed to AO should submit claims and apply for benefits, despite the reports findings.Read more on the Military Advantage Blog.
—————————————————————————————————————————-

The following is a list of  Vietnam Era, Navy and Coast Guard Ships Already Identified as Having Been Exposed to Agent Orange:

All vessels of Inshore Fire Support [IFS] Division 93 during their entire Vietnam tour:

. USS Carronade (IFS 1)
. USS Clarion River (LSMR 409) [Landing Ship, Medium, Rocket]
. USS Francis River (LSMR 525)
. USS White River (LSMR 536)

. All vessels with the designation LST [Landing Ship, Tank] during their entire tour [WWII ships converted to transport supplies on rivers and serve as barracks for brown water Mobile Riverine Forces]

. All vessels with the designation LCVP [Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel]
during their entire tour

. All vessels with the designation PCF [Patrol Craft, Fast] during their
entire tour [Also called Swift Boats, operating for enemy interdiction on
close coastal waters]

. All vessels with the designation PBR [Patrol Boat, River] during their
entire tour [Also called River Patrol Boats as part of the Mobile Riverine
Forces operating on inland waterways and featured in the Vietnam film
"Apocalypse Now"]

. USS Ingersoll (DD-652) [Destroyer] [Operated on Saigon River, October
24-25,1965]

. USS Mansfield (DD-728) [Destroyer] [Operated on Saigon River August
8-19,1967 and December 21-24,1968]

. USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849) [Destroyer] [Operated on coastal inlet north

of Da Nang, June 2-5, 1966, protecting Marines holding a bridge]

. USS Basilone (DD-824) [Destroyer] [Operated on Saigon River, May 24-25,
1966]

. USS Hamner (DD-718) [Destroyer] [Operated on Song Lon Tao and Long Song
lao Rivers, August 15-September 1, 1966]

. USS Conway (DD-507) [Destroyer] [Operated on Saigon River, early August
1966]

. USS Fiske (DD-842) [Destroyer] [Operated on Mekong River, June 16-21,
1966]

. USS Black (DD-666) [Destroyer] [Operated on Saigon River, July 13-19,1966]

. USS Providence (CLG-6) [Cruiser, Light, Guided Missile] [Operated on
Saigon River 3 days during January 1964]

USDVA Issues List Of Ships That Qualify For Presumptive Agent Orange Exposure

. USS Mahan (DLG-11) [Guided Missile Frigate] [Operated on Saigon River
October 24-28,1964]

. USS Okanogan (APA-220) [Attack Transport] [Operated on Saigon River July
22-23, 29-30,1968 and August 5-6, 1968]

. USS Niagara Falls (AFS-3) [Combat Stores Ship] [Unloaded supplies on
Saigon River and Cam Rahn Bay,

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) has added the below
named ships to the already existing list for Navy and Coast Guard ships and
vessels that are presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange.  If you
serve on any of these mentioned ships and you have had a claim denied, you
should reapply citing the VA list as the source for your reapplication.
NAUS advises that the VA is already working on a third list that will have
more ships listed.  If you have a claim and evidence the ship you served on
was in Vietnamese waters and/or actually tied up to a dock there, make sure
you include that with your claim.

Vessels that operated primarily or exclusively on the inland waterways:

All U.S. Coast Guard Cutters with hull designation WPB [patrol boat] and
WHEC [high endurance cutters]
USS Mark (AKL-12) [light cargo ship]
USS Brule (AKL-28)
USS Patapsco (AOG-1) [gasoline tanker]
USS Elkhorn (AOG-7)
USS Genesee (AOG-8)
USS Kishwaukee (AOG-9)
USS Tombigbee (AOG-11)
USS Noxubee (AOG-56)
USS Okanogan (APA-210) [attack transport]
USS Montrose (APA-212)
USS Bexar (APA-237)
USS Benewah (APB-35) [self-propelled barracks ship]
USS Colleton (APB-36)
USS Mercer (APB-39)
USS Nueces (APB-40)
Barracks Barge (APL-26 [sleeping quarters]
Barracks Barge (APL-30)
USS Tutuila (ARG-4) [repair ship]
USS Satyr (ARL-23) [ repair ship]
USS Sphinx (ARL-24)
USS Askari (ARL-30)
USS Indra (ARL-37)
USS Krishna (ARL-38)
USS Belle Grove (LSD-2) [landing ship dock]
USS Comstock (LSD-19)
USS Tortuga (LSD-26)
USS Asheville (PG-84) [patrol gunboat]
USS Gallop (PG-85)
USS Antelope (PG-86)
USS Ready (PG-87)
USS Crockett (PG-88)
USS Marathon (PG-89)
USS Canon (PG-90)
Floating Base Platform (YRBM-17) [repair, berthing, and messing barge]
Floating Base Platform (YRBM-18)
Floating Base Platform (YRBM-20)
Winnemucca (YTB-785) [harbor tug]

Vessels that operated temporarily on Vietnam’s inland waterways or docked to
the shore:

USS Card (ACV-11) [escort carrier] [mined, sunk, and salvaged in Saigon
River Harbor during May 1964]
USS Maury (AGS-16) [mapping survey ship] [conducted surveys of Mekong Delta
and other coastal areas and rivers beginning November 1965 through 1969]
USS Henrico (APA-45) [amphibious attack transport] [operated on Hue River
during March 1965 and conducted numerous troop landings through March 1967]
USS Montrose (APA-212) [operated on Song Hue River during December 1965,
operated on Long Tau River during March 1967, and operated on Cua Viet River
and at Dong Ha during May 1967]
USS Talladega (APA-208) [operated on Saigon River during October 1967]
USS Bolster (ARS-38) [salvage ship] [crew operated on land]
USS Canberra (CAG-2) [guided missile cruiser] [operated on Saigon River from
March 31 through April 1, 1966, on Cua Viet River during December 15, 1966,
and on Mekong Delta Ham Luong River during January 15, 1967]
USS Sproston (DD-577) [destroyer] [operated on Mekong Delta and Ganh Rai Bay
during January 1966]
USS Picking (DD-685) [operated on Saigon River during November 16, 1965]
USS Epperson (DD-719) [docked to Da Nang Pier on October 4, 1970]
USS Southerland (DD-743) [operated on Song Nga Bay and Saigon River during
July 1966]
USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) [operated on Nga Be River during 1969]
USS Buck (DD-761) [operated on Mekong River Delta and Saigon River during
October 1966]
USS Preston (DD-795) [operated on Mekong River Delta, Ganh Rai Bay, and
Saigon River during September 28-29 and December 27-29, 1965]
USS Warrington (DD-843) [operated on Mekong River Delta Rung Sat Special
Zone, North of Vung Gahn Rai Bay during March 1967]
USS Dyess (DD-880) [operated on Saigon River and Rung Sat Special Zone from
June 19 - July 1, 1966]
USS Perkins (DD-877) [operated on Saigon River during June 1969]
USS Orleck (DD-886) [operated on Mekong River Delta during July 1969]
USS Joseph Stauss (DDG-16) [guided missile destroyer] [operated on Mekong
River Delta and Ganh Rai Bay during November 7 and December 7, 1968]
USS Waddell (DDG-24) [operated on Cua Viet River during March 1967]
USS Newell (DER-322) [radar destroyer escort] [docked at Port of Nha Trang
during December 22-24, 1965]
USS Duluth (LPD-6) [amphibious transport dock] [docked to Pier at Da Nang
during March and October 1971]
USS Cleveland (LPD-7) [operated on Cua Viet River and at Dong Ha, as well as
Hue River, from November 1967 through 1968 and Saigon River during September 1969
USS Dubuque (LPD-8) [docked at Da Nang on March 15, 1970]
USS Boxer (LPH-4) [amphibious assault ship] [docked to Pier at Cam Rahn Bay
on September 9, 1965]
USS Carter Hall (LSD-3) [landing ship dock] [operated on Cua Viet River and
at Dong Ha during December 1967]
[Source: NAUS Weekly update 25 Jun 2010++]