Agent Orange and Neurological Disorders

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Oct 2, 2016

I just read a post from a veteran who discussed the effects of Agent Orange and Parkinson's Disease. It made me wonder if there are others who have had similar experiences? If so, is there anything you have learned from your medical team and/or the VA regarding this? Please feel free to share your story.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

RETAIRFORCEMAN | @retairforceman | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

Chloracne is,a presumptive disease however any cancers,can be service connected to AO. DD214 AND ONE OF THREE MEDALS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE BLOCK TO BE CHECKED. I highly recommend the MAYO CL8NIC worked closely with Dr Carolyn Clancy, carolyn.clancy@va.gov, Dr Victoria Davey chief research scientist at VHA victoria.davey@va.gov as well as SECRETARY BOB MCDONALD bob.mcdonald@va.gov about these concerns. The three medals are V AND SM AND VCM FOR ARMY AND MARINES ONLY AND RVNGCWP FOR ALL BRANCHES. I would post these documents jpg. But cannot.

RETAIRFORCEMAN | @retairforceman | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

I have 33 autoimmune diseases with 4 cancers. Including ischemic heart disease and peripheral neuropathy in all of my limbs and bladder disease and thyroid cancer hypothyroidism and Parkinsons-like symptoms and more. I have died twice. From handling, mixing by hand and power sprayed AGENT ORANGE HERBICIDES ON GUAM FROM SEPTEMBER 68 to June 78

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@retairforceman Thanks so much for adding to this discussion of Agent Orange. I'm so sorry to hear of the multitude of health problems you are dealing with. Please stay in touch, and let us know how you are doing.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@retairforceman This is great information regarding medical resources. Thanks again for helping to educate everyone affected by AO.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @macbeth "@colleenyoung @hopeful33250 All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host..." + (show)

@macbeth

@colleenyoung
@hopeful33250
All I know is that it has been recognized as related to a host of diseases in Vietnam vets, including Parkinson's, diabetes, some cancers, and ischemic heart disease, among other conditions. The vet who helped us file a claim, at a nearby VA regional office, (and a comp doctor there) also believe it may also be connected to dementia/early onset dementia, which makes sense, due to the relationship to Parkinson's and ischemic heart disease (the higher rate of ischemic build-up around the heart is bound to be happening elsewhere in the body - such as in the brain), but, that not enough veterans or their families are making the connection and filing claims. More claims filed = more attention from the government. Also, I am being told that it will take many more years of research before the connection is officially recognized between AO and dementias, in general. I realize that not everyone who gets a disease has a family history of that disease, but my husband's family has no history of dementia, and I began to notice symptoms or wonder about him, as early as in his early - to - mid sixties, and maybe before that, looking back. But I was in denial. He also has the AO related ischemic heart disease. One of my brothers (Vietnam vet) had an AO related carcinoma, and had to have his leg amputated. It can wreak havoc decades after exposure. I know that many children of Vietnam vets have had problems that are being traced back to the AO exposure of a parent.

All you have to do, is begin to research this stuff on the net. There are a lot of very sad, very frustrating experiences related there.

I know that there is strength in numbers, and that being civil is very important, but that being tooooo polite does not get a job like this done. Vietnam veterans and their families need to be heard about these facts and overwhelming coincidences. They need to file claims. They need to write letters. They need to get louder. They need to push. They need to extend the support to Vietnam veterans that they rarely or never received for their service.

O. K. Now I'll dust off my hands and get off my high horse. Can you tell I'm a little passionate about this?

Jump to this post

@macbeth Thank you for adding this helpful information.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@retairforceman you should be able to upload a PDF.
Here's how
1. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notice, which will take you to the Connect website and exact discussion thread.
2. Click REPLY.
3. Click Add media above the message window.
4. Choose file.
5. Write you message.
6. Click POST REPLY

Seems complicated, but it is quite simple (or should be).

RETAIRFORCEMAN | @retairforceman | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

I dont see,what you are,saying. Where is,add media

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

@retairforceman When you click on the "Reply" button the "Add Media" option will appear.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

Of course, I forgot the crucial first step. I edited my instructions above.
Furthermore, you only see Add Media if you are replying on the Connect website, not reply by email. You'll need to click VIEW & REPLY in the email notice to get to the website. It will take you directly to this discussion.

johnjames | @johnjames | Oct 7, 2016

In reply to @colleenyoung "Good questions Teresa with respect to Agent Orange and neurological disorders. I'd like to bring @mivy..." + (show)

Teresa, would you mind expanding on the disorder caused by Agent Orange you are researching, There is a monthly newsletter that comes out from the VA/system- titles " Agent Orange Newsletter and the Research of health issues and health care" Go to the web: and type in www,publichealth.va.Gov go to the link for AO and there should a number of issues approved by the VA and the type of health problems that Veterans are struggling with. They list in the area you mentioned: " Peripheral Neuropathy, and the early onset". and one of the hard issue is Brain cancer - and many types of brain tumors/ My best friend died from brain tumors and was approved by the VA as AO- and his family did receive all the 100% disability befits. The Nero/Dr that diagnosed my AO Parkinson's told me because of the AO in my system the Parkinson's will increase much faster than the norm. But don't go way just what other people say or share with you- find out for yourself what facts do we really know and especially for your own situation. JJames