Vaultman
Greenwood,La, USA
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Joined: 01/13/2004
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If your hubby is a veteran, he can go to any V.A. Hositpal or Clinic.
Larry Richardson
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Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Yes, he can go to a V.A. clinic or hospital but must have a file open and MAY need an appointment.
I encourage all veterans to at least have a file opened at the V.A. You never know when you may need it. I finally did it after people hounded me for 15 years but our local state rep. tried to discourage me. I also asked to get on the Agent Orange Registry. It will take at least 10 months to have the physical. I did not ask for any benefit's, just the exam to see if I have any long term effects.
Found that I had prostate cancer through my private Urologist and surgery was covered by my medical insurance.
Enjoying Your Freedom?
Thank A Veteran
2007 Holiday Rambler 32SKT
2006 Chev LT D/A CC
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Skid Row Joe
America, Tent Camping and RVing since 1960
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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According to a buddy of mine here, most of the Agent Orange vets never reached their 50th birthday. That's what he was told by VA doctors at the VA in Dallas. He has had surgery to remove cancerous lympth nodes in both his shoulders below his neck line. He served three tours in Nam as a Marine on-the-ground. He's one tough Hispanic American Marine from El Paso, TX. in his mid-60s now. He was given $225,000.00 dollars as settlement from the government, but he had to apply for it.
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 12:15am by Skid Row Joe *
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dennislanier
Georgia
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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If the state you are in has a local (county) health dept, they will probably do the PSA blood test for a nominal fee. Check the local yellow pages for the county health dept.
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Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Skid Row Joe wrote:According to a buddy of mine here, most of the Agent Orange vets never reached their 50th birthday. That's what he was told by VA doctors at the VA in Dallas. He has had surgery to remove cancerous lympth nodes in both his shoulders below his neck line. He served three tours in Nam as a Marine on-the-ground. He's one tough Hispanic American Marine from El Paso, TX. in his mid-60s now. He was given $225,000.00 dollars as settlement from the government, but he had to apply for it.
IF the doctors told him that, they have no medical basis for that statement. There are no confirmed links of illnesses to Agent Orange. There is a "presumptive" link to Type 2 diabetes and prostate cancer. There is also a presumptive link to a childhood birth defect. Hypertension is currently being reviewed as a "presumptive" link and may be added in the future. There are also many other suspected links but none confirmed.
Many of us Viet Nam vet's have medical problems and much is attributed to service there. There were actually many other Agents used in additional to Agent Orange, all were given a color designation.
I am not aware of any government settlements but that is not to mean that it did not happen. Many of the chemical companies that made the defolients were sued and some settlements were made but not in the massive amounts of dollars that you sometimes see. Most companies were "held harmless" because of government contracts and mandates to provide the chemicals.
Regardless, many of our soldiers have suffered emotional and physical problems as a result of Viet Nam. I was there in 1969 and we lost 7 men from our unit. I could not remember any of it until a company reunion in 2001. I have stayed in contact with several who have physical and mental problems.
I had a cancerous prostate removed in May of this year and a suspected cancerous lump in my breast last year. It proved to be benign. My doctors can not understand why I need 2 medications for hypertension since I retired 3 years ago at age 57. I began taking those medications 5 years ago after annual physicals for 27 years consistently showed my blood pressure at 117/70. I am almost always the most calm, laid back and happiest person you would meet since I retired from a high stress job. I am unable to watch the news as related to Iraq and Afghanistan. It is too painful to see the families that are affected and damage to our young men and women's bodies and mind.
Anyone one can go to the VA's website and look up Agent Orange or Google it.
Sorry for the long post and I hope that I have not written anything that will get deleted or this post closed.
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emzee
california
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Joined: 10/22/2006
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God Bless all of you that served our country. It is so sad to hear the stories from the vietnam vets. Many lives were turned upside down. We will probably hear more from this war when it comes to a close, not an end, i don't see an end. I just want our men and women back safe.
I am reminding my dh about his prostate tests, very important!
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Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Charlie D. wrote:Thanks Emzee-This tragedy goes back to all the wars we have fought.
Have your DH do both a PSA and DRE ASAP. My surgeon placed his finger in my sons (age 34) face and told him to get both now. It is generally understood that all male children of parents who have had prostate cancer begin at age 40 instead of the generally accepted age of 50.
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Skid Row Joe
America, Tent Camping and RVing since 1960
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Joined: 04/26/2006
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Charlie D. wrote:Skid Row Joe wrote:According to a buddy of mine here, most of the Agent Orange vets never reached their 50th birthday. That's what he was told by VA doctors at the VA in Dallas. He has had surgery to remove cancerous lympth nodes in both his shoulders below his neck line. He served three tours in Nam as a Marine on-the-ground. He's one tough Hispanic American Marine from El Paso, TX. in his mid-60s now. He was given $225,000.00 dollars as settlement from the government, but he had to apply for it.
IF the doctors told him that, they have no medical basis for that statement.
I am not aware of any government settlements but that is not to mean that it did not happen.
I was there in 1969 and we lost 7 men from our unit. I could not remember any of it until a company reunion in 2001. I'll give him all the information here you posted. Much of which seems to controvert what my friend has told me. His memory is vivid.
Thanks and good luck.
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Charlie D.
Gonzales, La.
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Joined: 09/12/2006
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Joe, If your friend has not checked the VA web site or Googled Agent Orange, have him do so.
I assume he is on VA disability, if not he should be. The VA does not sign you up for disability but they do have a "patient advocate" whom I found to be useless.
Texas and Louisiana have state supported offices where you go and they will handle all the paper work and filing. They are the one's that will get things rolling. Takes about 1 year from filing to receiving diasabilty but it is retroactive to the day you file,
Maybe he already knows this and is receiving disability but it was a steep learning curve for me and I got bounced from one employee to another before I found out about the state rep.
Good luck to your friend and tell him I said "Thank you for your service and welcome home Brother."
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